Black-throated finch

The black-throated finch (Poephila cincta), or parson finch, is a species of estrildid finch found in grassy woodlands throughout north-east Australia from Cape York Peninsula to central Queensland. Its population is declining, having become extinct in New South Wales, and its habitat is threatened by development. Originally described by ornithologist John Gould as Amadina cincta in 1837, its specific epithet is Latin cincta may be interpreted to mean 'girdled'. Gould described before his visit to Australia, using a specimen deposited at the British Museum. It is placed in the Australo-papuan finch family Estrildidae, although this family itself was previously placed in the sparrow family Passeridae. A genetic study published in 2005 showed that it diverged from the long-tailed finch (P. acuticauda) 600,000 years ago. Origin and phylogeny has been obtained by Antonio Arnaiz-Villena et al. Estrildinae may have originated in India and dispersed thereafter (towards Africa and Pacific Ocean habitats). 'Black-throated finch' has been designated as the official common name for the species by the International Ornithologists' Union (IOC). Parson finch is an alternative common name. Two undisputed subspecies of the black-throated finch have been described, with intermediate forms between the two found in an intergrade region. These are the black-rumped subspecies which is found north of Cairns and is possibly extending its range southwards. This subspecies was described by Silvester Diggles in a report on Australian birds published first in the Brisbane Courier in 1876, and reprinted in the Transactions of the Queensland philosophical society. The white-rumped subspecies is found south of Townsville. Lastly, a third subspecies has been acknowledged following the description published by G. M. Mathews in 1912 (Alisteranus cinctus vinotincta) as Poephila cincta vinotincta, which authorities may recognise or regard as a synonym for the nominate P. cincta cincta.