Critically Endangered Wrens

SADLY three new species have recenlty become significantly threatened species across Australia under the EPBC Act, including the Striated Grasswren supspecies Mukarrthippi Grasswren Amytornis striatus striatus (Critically Edangered) and the Murray–Mallee Striated Grasswren Amytornis striatus howei (Endangered). The Southern Emu-wren (Eyre Peninsula) Stipiturus malachurus parimeda has also been re-classified as Endangered.

The Mukarrthippi Grasswren, now Critically Endangered since July 2023, inhabits an isolated inland region of New South Wales. According to the NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee (2021), the total population is very likely to be less than 50 mature individuals, with a continuing decline caused by ongoing threats from wildfire, habitat deterioration and fragmentation of the small populations.

The Murray–Mallee Striated Grasswren is restricted to north-western Victoria and adjacent parts of South Australia, is also now classified as Endangered. This little bird has a long dark tail, and black moustache found in mallee woodland and dunes with large spinifex clumps (eBird, 2023).

And lastly the Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren of South Australia was already on the list as Vulnerable, but is now classified as Endangered under the EPBC Act. This little bird has rusty brown feathers with streaks of black, just like an emus, hence the name.

Ecolink will be keeping an eye out for these little wrens, and hopefully together, we can help prevent these species from becoming more threatened, and work towards a brighter future for our unique Australian birdlife.