National recovery plan for the buff-breasted button-quail (Turnix olivii)

Executive summary

Species status

The buff-breasted button-quail is currently listed as ‘Endangered’under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). It is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCA).

Habitat and distribution summary

The buff-breasted button-quail is known to occur in the rocky, grassy savannah woodlands and stringybark forests of north-eastern Queensland from the Coen area south to Chillagoe. They are also reported from grassland areas within rainforest patches within this range. There has been a recent, unsubstantiated report of the species from south-east of Charters Towers.

Threat summary

• Habitat loss or degradation due to cattle and pig grazing and inappropriate fire regimes that encourage extensive fires but promote woody weed invasion.
• Habitat clearing
• Predation by native and feral animals

Objectives of recovery plan

Facilitate improvement of knowledge of buff-breasted button-quail thus allowing a better understanding of threats to the species, allowing protection and management of habitat for extant populations to secure survival of existing birds, increasing availability and condition of habitat to provide opportunity for population increase and pursuit of actions to minimise threats to protect existing and expanding populations and prevent further loss.

Summary of actions

• Existing buff-breasted button-quail records and site data to be collated in WildNet database
• Map existing data on buff-breasted button-quail distribution and habitat requirements yielding a ‘essential habitat’ GIS layer and develop a predictive model of the species’ distribution.
• Conduct scientific research program(s) to undertake habitat assessment, radio-tracking experiments and collect observational data.
• Determine the role of storm burning with respect to buff-breasted button-quail breeding ecology.
• Document a useful methodology of finding and recording buff-breasted button-quail for observers.
• Survey habitat where buff-breasted button-quail occurrence is predicted by the model developed.
• Develop management options and protocols for fire management in identified buff-breasted button-quail habitat within protected areas.
• Establish extension activities with Traditional Owners, land managers and private landholders, develop a community network with these stakeholders leading to property planning and ensure their participation in the recovery process.
• Determine the nature, extent and impact of cattle and pigs on the grassland and grassy woodland habitats of the buff-breasted button-quail.
• Develop and implement strategies to ameliorate adverse effects of domestic stock on buff‑breasted button-quail and its habitat if determined necessary.
• Develop and implement strategies to ameliorate adverse effects of pigs on buff-breasted button-quail and its habitat if determined necessary.