A native finch will be on a fast track to extinction if the Adani coal mine goes ahead in its current form, ecologists have told the government.
Adani's mine in Queensland's Galilee Basin will destroy a large tract of prime habitat for the endangered southern black-throated finch.
The Black-throated Finch Recovery Team was instrumental in developing a recovery plan for the species, which was approved by the federal government back in 2008.
But it says the quality and amount of land Adani is offering to offset what will be destroyed is less than half what's needed.
It says stage one of the mine alone will destroy 6000 hectares of habitat.
About 20,000 hectares of other land has been offered as an offset, but the team says 48,000 hectares is required.
It has also pointed to "major flaws" in the calculations used to determine the offsets, and what's being offered for subsequent stages of the mine must also be increased.
Recovery team chairman Tony Grice says the Galilee Basin is one of just two parts of Australia where the finches are still found in any number, but populations are small.
The team has sent a report to federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg, saying Adani should not be allowed to proceed until adequate offsets are on the table.
It's estimated there might be fewer than 1500 black-throated finches left in its two remaining footholds, possibly about 1000 in the Galilee basin area where Adani will build its mine, and up to 500 in the Townsville area.
"There are probably fewer black-throated finches in the world than there are black rhinoceroses," Dr Grice said.
"Would the world fall apart tomorrow if the finch went extinct? No ... but it is an important part of our woodland landscape."
Dr Grice said woodlands in the Galilee basin are in good condition and projects like Adani's mine pose a threat not just to the finch, but other seed-eating birds suffering habitat fragmentation.
Adani said it had engaged scientific experts to study the finch, completing eight surveys of the species over five years.
It said it had also worked with members of the recovery team in developing a draft management plan now being considered by the government.
"All of Adani's work is consistent with the team's own black-throated finch recovery plan, as required by the governments," the company said.
It said it was open to consulting with the team if discussions were private and proactive, not conducted through the media.
The minister has been contacted for comment.
