Patrick Webster, PhD candidate at University of Queensland’s RARES, Research And Recovery of Endangered Species, is applying scientific methodology to investigate if such a species exists, if so where it is to be found and then what can be done to support the species into the future. Other articles on this site report views from Greg Roberts who runs a blog called Sunshine Coast Birds and from John Young, undisputed rediscoverer of the Night parrot. There are disputes regarding John’s claims to have found a number of populations, albeit small, including breeding birds. He says he has photos but then these have attracted disputation too.
From the RARES website: There are very few if any species in Australia that can rival the mystery and uncertainty of Buff-breasted Button-quail. For decades ornithologists have considered this species to be a rather rare irregular breeding visitor to the Wet Tropics region from further afield in Cape York Peninsula. It is thought to have an innate ability to sense observers in its environment and evade them at every turn, including every photography attempt. The team at RARES have been working on this species for the past four years and have made some startling and very concerning discoveries. Most concerning was the discovery that the last confirmed record of this species dates back to the early egg and skin collecting days of William McLennan in the 1920’s. In almost 100 years our understanding of this species has stagnated to the point where we do not even know where a single population can be found.
Currently this project is working on two fronts; (1) surveys to locate a population of Buff-breasted Button-quail and (2) descriptive autecology studies of the other two species of tropical savanna button-quail, Painted and Chestnut-backed Button-quail. We are currently investigating the habitat and resource requirements of Painted and Chestnut-backed Button-quail. The rationale for this study is to better understand the button-quail group generally so we can make educated inferences of the ecology and threatening process of Buff-breasted Button-quail. Our understanding of the tropical savanna button-quail suggests the Buff-breasted Button-quail should still be extant and we are therefore strategically surveying areas of Cape York Peninsula accordingly.
This research has received generous support from the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, National Environmental Science Program, Graham Harrington, Birds Queensland and the Conservation and Wildlife Research Trust.
From Patrick Webster: The Buff-breasted Button-quail has been a topic of increasing (and sometimes intense) discussion over the past couple of years. In the background of these discussions (and most who are following will know) I have been doing a PhD on the species, through the RARES Group at the University of Queensland.
With the help of the team, I have been intensively studying this species trying to come to an understanding of the species conservation status, which still remains largely a mystery. What we know for certain is that it occupied savannas of central Cape York Peninsula in the early 20th century but what has happened over the past 100 years to date remains unknown. Over the past 4+ years of study, searching and speaking with the community, what we have discovered is that the widely held belief within the scientific and birding community that the species is rare but somewhat secure is clearly wrong.
The Buff-breasted Button-quail is arguably in the worst situation of any Australian bird. At this stage not a single population is known, making it the rarest and potentially most threatened bird species in Australia. This prompted our research team to submit a nomination to the Queensland Government to up list the species to Critically Endangered under the Nature Conservation Act. After two years of defending our research and having to redo submissions (despite the clear evidence there is no known population), this week we were relieved to receive confirmation that our nomination has been approved by the Minister and will be up listed to Critically Endangered in the coming month.
Whilst this change in legislation does not immediately nor directly impact the Buff-breasted Button-quail status at all (and it is something to be saddened about – we have another Critically Endangered bird on the list) it is an encouraging sign that the scientific community is now formally recognising the extremely concerning situation that is present for this species.
This change will hopefully follow on to changes under the Federal Governments Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. It is anticipated this will result in greater attention for the species, improved protection and increased opportunities for future conservation.
As always, any information confirming the species continued existence needs to be passed on to enable conservation to take place. Our research group – RARES will facilitate this or pass on the relevant information, if you are lucky enough to find a Buff-breasted Button-quail. It will be the first confirmed record in 100 years if you do – so make sure you celebrate it!