This report was written by Sam Woods (Sam@tropicalbirding.com) This was a TROPICAL BIRDING tour: TROPICAL BIRDING
It's not just the birds that draw people to the Northern Territory - sure the Top End has some cool avian residents, (not least the Rainbow Pitta that thrilled us on our first morning), but there are plenty of other attractions. From the absorbing aboriginal rock art and culture of Kakadu, to the mighty monolith of Uluru (more commonly known as Ayer's Rock), in the heart of Australia's Red Center. A phenomenal site, and a true geological wonder. The Northern Territory is a really attractive region for birding, and culturally fascinating. The tour went well, with over 250 species seen, including some of the most highly-prized in the territory. Among these were the rarely recorded Yellow Chat, the just plain gaudy Gouldian Finch, the exquisite Purple-crowned Fairywren (that had a tough battle with a vivid blue male Splendid Fairwren for the biggest wow-factor on the tour!), an array of colorful parrots including the dazzling Hooded Parrot, a species that is endemic to the territory, the continent's rarest raptor, Red Goshawk, and the comical and charismatic Spinifex Pigeon. Along the way we experienced some of Australia's most dramatic scenery, while red dust kicked up from our tires we enjoyed great views of Uluru in the setting sun when the rock turns a burnished orange color, and birding our way through the towering flame-orange sandstone chasm of Ormiston Gorge in the heart of the red center will also be hard to forget, as will the towering sandstone outcrop of Nourlangie Rock an outlier of the mighty Arnhem Land escarpment in World famous Kakadu National Park. Other animals are also an important aspect of any outback trip, and we got repeated looks at a number of marsupials, including some hulking Red Kangaroos, the largest of all the Kangaroo species; the much rarer Black-footed Wallaby loafing about on a sandstone outcrop in the MacDonnell Ranges; whilst the gentle cruise into the Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park produced great views of several huge 'salties', or Saltwater Crocodiles, loitering on a mud bank close to our boat.
9th October
This being our inaugural tour to the Northern Territory, we decided to just go for it, and so the tour started with one of the busiest, most bird-packed days of the tour. Shortly after dawn (and not long after Stephen and Anne's international arrival), we were watching the sunrise over Fogg Dam, a haven for waterbirds, and a great place to get the bird list off to a flying start. However before we turned our attention to the wetland birds, we made our way into the monsoon forest that borders the dam. The hot and humid forest there is home to one of the Top Ends most vibrantly colored birds - the 'tasty' Rainbow Pitta. Soon after dawn the forest was echoing to the sound of a pair of these stunning endemics, and we were soon scurrying in toward this tantalizing whistle. Before long a movement in the treetops and a flash of electric blue had us homing in on this Aussie beauty and we were treated to excellent views of the pitta, that was virtually the first bird of the tour. Nice start. We then headed to the marsh and enjoyed the wetland spectacle that is Fogg Dam, where thousands of waterbirds included the strange Magpie-Goose (that was formerly an endemic monotypic family); striking Pied Herons; Green Pygmy-Geese; Royal Spoonbills, Rajah Shelducks, Comb-crested Jacanas and a Buff-banded Rail. It was not all about wetland birds though as Crimson Finches, glowed scarlet from the nearby bushes, while Rainbow Bee-eaters were equally colorful hawking insects around the dam, and our only Black-chinned Honeyeaters of the tour were found in the same area. It was then back in the car for one of those famous, long outback drives, along never ending roads passing through some superb vistas that became a regular feature of this tour.
Later in the day we rolled in to Pine Creek, picking up Red-backed Kingfisher en-route, where finding our first Hooded Parrot was surprisingly straightforward, drinking some of the precious water supply on a watered lawn in town. Having got the pitta and this rare parrot of the Top End with relative ease, we found ourselves with time on our hands. With this in mind we hit the road for a little rally further south on the trail of Australia's rarest raptor (picking up some overshooting Varied Lorikeets en-route). Despite being the rarest however, when this bird is nesting it can be surprisingly easy to find (sort of). And so it was we found ourselves watching the top of a chicks head huddled in the nest-not quite how things were planned. Thankfully after a little wait an agitated adult Red Goshawk sailed in and called repeatedly in the open, close by the nest. What with this awesome accipiter and the dreamy pitta we had bagged two of the territory's most desirable birds on the first day. Time now to relax? - Not a chance!
10th October
The day was spent traveling to Victoria River, birding various places along the way. Bird of the day, and indeed possibly the trip was found very soon after arriving at Victoria River, where the delightful Lilac-crowned (Purple-crowned) Fairywren performed well. Our first Fairwren, a classic and exquisite Australo-Papuan family, and the rarest of the outback bunch. Other more familiar birds of the Top End were picked up on the way including White-bellied & Black-faced Cuckooshrikes, Black-faced Woodswallows, Pied Butcherbird and a representative of one of the most charismatic Aussie bird families in the form of several Great Bowerbirds. Other birds included Brown Quail and Spotted Nightjar was picked up in the car headlights as we cruised down the great southern highway at dawn. The other special bird of the day however was a rare and local pigeon, that resides in sun baked sandstone escarpments. The walk to get the bird was a killer as the heat of the day took a while to wane, and the trek up to the top of the escarpment was therefore hot, dry and a little demanding. Although the effort made the welcome sight of a nervy looking White-quilled Rock-pigeon (perched appropriately on top of a sandstone rock on the crown of the escarpment), all the more appreciated. Once we had got the bird after an initially fruitless search, they then mocked us on the way down as a further two put in an appearance with no effort being made.
11th October
The morning was spent around Timber Creek searching for finches - in particular the rare and rapidly declining Gouldian Finch, and the similarly threatened Star Finch. Both rare, both strikingly beautiful. However, on this morning not both there! A small-town, rarely used airport was home to a number of wintering Oriental Plovers (sharing the runway with a number of Agile Wallabies), and a duo of Diamond Doves. While a flock of finches flushed up from the red dirt road pulled in Double-barred, Masked & Long-tailed Finches and a couple of cracking male Star Finches and a nearby ball of sticks in a nearby paperbark tree proved to be nursery for a vocal party of Gray-crowned Babblers and Yellow-tinted Honeyeaters were found close by. While a slow drive along a dirt track produced the superb Spinifex Pigeon, appearing more like something out of a cartoon strip than a bird book, with its funnny crest and hurried, shuffling gait. Whilst outside our accommodations small groups of Little Corellas and gaudy Rainbow Lorikeets fought with Blue-faced Honeyeaters and Magpie-Larks over the vital water supply, coming from the trickle of water escaping from the sprinklers.
12th October
The day was spent birding our way from Victoria River towards Mary River, on the outskirts of world famous Kakadu National Park. Along the way we took in sites such as Chinaman Creek, Fergusson River and Pine Creek. Many interesting birds were seen including a couple of striking, black-and-white Banded Honeyeaters, in addition to both White-plumed & Rufous-throated Honeyeaters, Leaden & Restless Flycatchers, our first Cockatiels of the tour and a further few Northern Rosellas. A small creek near Edith provided the first Azure Kingfisher of the trip, while the very cool Red-backed Fairwren was seen along the way, with a resplendent male in full scarlet-red and coal-black breeding plumage. The afternoon was a real classic. Having searched in vain at several sites for Gouldians earlier a small party of finches disappearing into some roadside grass that bordered a vital small waterhole, had us rushing in there, and soon after the bright yellows, luscious lilacs and gorgeous greens of a male Gouldian Finch homed into view. One of the Outback's most outrageously adorned birds, a top draw species and one that list-hunters are rightly crazy for, mission accomplished. We then passed through Pine Creek again and having had some great, if a little disappointing, views of a dowdy female Hooded Parrot a few days previous we decided to head for a good roost area for the species. On arrival we were greeted by the site of a bare tree being lit up by the site of dozens of electric blue male Hooded Parrots (with a few dull females thrown in for good measure, being singly ignored closeby!) An exquisite parrot, and a rare and local specialty of the Top End. The day ended perfectly when after we had said our good-byes after the bird log some strange dog-like noises alerted us to the presence of a vocal pair of Barking Owls close to our hotel. We quickly rounded up the troops and went in pursuit of this bizarre-sounding boobook owl, and were seen enjoying fantastic views as it gave it's unique canine-like call.
13th October
This day was spent just inside Kakadu National Park, where we climbed up to a scenic sandstone escarpment surrounded by dramatic rock faces and an attractive waterfall. Once up above the main waterfall we had the place to ourselves, where we were able to look down on the treetops of the humid monsoon forest below. Visiting a number of sandstone outcrops in the area did not bring us the hoped-for White-throated Grasswren, although this bird seems to have dropped off the radar since recent burns in the area have cleared out a lot of the core habitat of this shy, endemic species. However we did pick up another localized Outback pigeon, with a number of views of Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon, when while walking the outcrops we disturbed a number of these unobtrusive birds. Inevitably a loud whir of wings followed by a flash of orange as the bird flew by close, had us homing in on them. Up above the waterfall a small party of Black-tailed Treecreepers came by to check out a dead snag close to us; while other birds included Pheasant Coucal, Varied Sitella (from the Sitella family that is the Australo-Papuan equivalent of the Nuthatch family from the Old World); the extremely localized White-lined Honeyeater; Gray Shrike-thrush, Helmeted Friarbird and some Northern Fantails on the edge of the rainforest, at the base of the cascades. Once again we came across large, noisy flocks of huge prehistoric-looking Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos, that were a much appreciated daily feature on the tour. Marsupials came in the form of more Agile Wallabies and a stocky Euro around the escarpment.
14th October
This was one of the most relaxing days of the tour. The day began with a leisurely walk through the monsoon forests that border one of the biggest draws in Kakadu - the ancient Aboriginal art around Nourlangie Rock. Nourlangie Rock (or Burrunggui to use its traditional Aboriginal name), is at the southern tip of Mount Brockman, that is one of the huge rugged outliers of the spectacular sandstone Arnhem Land Plateau. But before we got stuck into the cave paintings - some of which date back 6000 years, we went for a stroll around the woodland at the base of the huge sandstone cliffs that form part of this mighty escarpment. This forest is home to a striking, localized and frankly difficult Fruit-dove - the beautiful Black-banded Fruit-dove. After drawing a blank around a site they had nested previously, we walked down into the woodland and found 2 or 3 of this strikingly two-toned fruit-dove. We then focused our attention on the huge rock itself, scanning the rich red-colored rocks for any passerines, where we soon found the endemic Sandstone Shrike-thrush singing from the top of a sandstone outcrop, flushed vivid orange in the strong morning sun. As the heat of the day intensified we retreated to the rock gallery and perused the fascinating aboriginal art that is a big draw for the many thousands of visitors to Kakadu each year. Other interesting sightings at Nourlangie included our first Spangled Drongos, and more Silver-crowned Friarbirds. On walking back to our vehicle we bumped into a Djukerre (the aboriginal word for female of this species) and joey Black Wallaroo, a normally nocturnal marsupial, just hanging out near the car park (well away from its normally less accessible hangouts, up in the high sandstone country of Arnhem Land).
The afternoon was equally realxing with a peaceful boat cruise into the huge Yellow Water Billabong. This is a little dudey and seriously touristy, but frankly superb as it is one of the great wildlife spectacles of the Northern Territory. The cruise began with a gentle, slow cruise down Jim-Jim Creek, making our way along the South Alligator River before we finally emerged into the vast billabong itself, where thousands of waterbirds awaited our arrival. During our leisurely cruise we enjoyed watching regal Brolgas parading majestically around the swamp, Nankeen (Rufous) Night-herons, Pacific (White-necked) & Pied Herons; White-bellied Sea-eagles, Brahminy & Whistling Kites; Black-fronted Dotterels, Rufous-banded Honeyeaters, Broad-billed & Shining Flycatchers; and a bevy of Kingfishers with Blue-winged Kookaburras, Little, Azure, Forest & Sacred Kingfishers.
15th October
The morning was spent searching for the last few Kakadu birds we were after before we headed back north towards Darwin once more, that had been our starting point for this Top End section of the tour. The day was about cramming in multiple sites along the drive back to maximize the birds picked up in doing so. Around Kakadu we came across an obliging White-browed Crake, a Collared Kingfisher to add to the day before's bevy; Bar-breasted Honeyeaters; Lemon-bellied Flycatchers and best of all, a number of extremely approachable Partridge Pigeons in an area where we would have least expected them. The wetlands at Mamukala were loaded with waterbirds, among the thousands of Wandering Whistling-Ducks were some endemic Plumed Whistling-Ducks, in addition to Black-necked Storks and Australian Pelicans. En-route back to Darwin we stopped in an area of pits where the vital supply of water was attracting huge parties of mixed finch flocks, and we again enjoyed the bright, vibrant colors of several male Gouldian Finches once more (this time including a male of the striking, and much desired red-headed race). In amongst these was also a lone Chestnut-breasted Munia. We then went to a site near to our first port of call on the tour, Fogg Dam, where we found the extremely rare Yellow Chat that we had desperately hoped for, the same area holding a few Swamp Harriers and Zitting Cisticolas. We then headed back to Darwin, where roaming flocks of migrant Torresian Imperial Pigeons heralded our arrival back in a coastal area, (competing with Green Figbirds for title of most conspicuous bird in the Darwin area), and we also picked up our first Black Butcherbirds for the tour.
16th October
The next few days were spent birding the many Top End sites around the relaxed, cosmopolitan city of Darwin. We began with a trip to East Point where the hoped for Bush Stone-curlews were found slinking away from a low bush shortly after dawn, while a pretty pair of Rose-crowned Fruit-doves were found a short way from there. Other birds around East Point reserve included a couple of tricky, indistinctive Aussie warblers, Green-backed & Large-billed Gerygones. During a trip to an area of mangroves near Lee Point, patience was required for the star bird of the morning. Although, as the tides changed in our favor, a pair of chunky Chestnut Rails walked brazenly out onto the mud, where they were really easy to pick out, to say the least. In the mangroves themselves we found a number of the mangrove specialties like Mangrove Gerygone, Australian Yellow White-eye, a number of dapper male Red-headed Myzomelas and a Little Bronze-cuckoo. The sandy and muddy shorelines round Darwin held a number of shorebirds, including a duo of tattlers - Wandering & Gray-tailed Tattlers, Far Eastern Curlews, Terek Sandpipers, Greater Sandplovers, Mongolian Plovers, Great Knots and even a few Brown Booby hanging around close in shore. While a trip into the humid forest of Howard Springs pulled in (yet) another Rainbow Pitta (always a pleasure to see a great looking endemic pitta species though!), the recently split Arafura Fantail (split from Rufous Fantail), a fine male Cicadabird and a few Rufous (Little) Shrike-thrushes.
17th October
The day began in some mangroves on the edge of Darwin, searching for more of those specialties to this habitat. We found some of these including Mangrove Robin, Mangrove Golden Whistler and eventually we got flight views of a hulking Great-billed Heron as it cruised conspicuously across the river. Walking another area of mangroves paid off when the deafening alarm calls of a Beach Stone-Curlew soon had us within sight of the culprit. We then left the Top End behind and headed to Alice Springs in the Red Center of Australia. With only a little time left in the afternoon after arrival we tried to pack in as much as possible, with a visit to the local sewage works proving a real boon as it was simply loaded with birds: tens of elegant Red-necked Avocets were found feeding on one of the bird-packed lagoons there, alongside Black-tailed Native-hens, endemic Pink-eared Ducks, endemic Maned (Australian Wood) Ducks, Hardheads (White-eyed Duck), majestic Black Swans, and Hoary-headed Grebes, while Red-kneed Dotterels and Australian Pratincoles were found around the edges of this busy pool, a spanking male White-winged Fairywren put in an appearance in nearby dwarf scrub. A great kick start to our Red Center birding. We then used the little time left to check out Simpson's Gap, which although a little quieter than we'd hoped, still pulled in one of the trip highlights - a mesmerizing male Splendid Fairywren that due to its shockingly beautiful bright blue plumage usually provokes a little stronger description than merely splendid!
18th October
This day was spent in the vicinity of scenically superb Ormiston Gorge and the Glen Helen area, in the heart of the West MacDonnell ranges. Once again superb vistas were the order of the day, and we spent the morning walking the area around this rugged gorge, walking through a deep chasm with towering brick-red sandstone cliffs on either side. Along with this breathtaking landscape we enjoyed a busy day for birds with many new species. Before we had even arrived at this awesome scenic gorge, we flushed up an Australian Owlet-nightjar from the roadside en-route. Once at the gorge, we searched the stands of spinifex grass and the sandstone outcrops for the many special birds found there. We took the track less traveled, meeting no-one on this picturesque walk until we were back at the visitor center. Searching clumps of sparsely distributed spinifex on the sandstone walls eventually paid off with good looks at a pair of Dusky Grasswrens, though occupying the same family as the fairywrens, the grasswrens have a justified reputation for being low down, devious and downright hard to see (unlike their more colorful, showy cousins). However, they are cryptically beautiful birds and always a big target for birders, so it was great to get one of the few species in range on this tour. The Variegated Fairywrens, though much more conspicuous and downright easy to see compared with the Grasswrens, were no less appreciated as frankly all Fairywrens are worth more than a passing glance. Also in the spinifex areas were several more superb Spinifex Pigeons, a strikingly attractive pigeon that was good to catch up with again. Other new birds for us in this gorgeous area of the MacDonnells were Port Lincoln Parrots, Tree Martins, a fine male Hooded Robin, more noisy groups of Gray-crowned Babblers, Little Woodswallows, Weebills, Chestnut-eared (Zebra) Finches and a few Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters. Perhaps the most stunningly beautiful bird of the morning however, was the party of Painted Firetails found taking advantage of one of the few wet watering holes left in the area. A strikingly patterned bird, just as wonderful in appearance as the name suggests. Our only sighting of Western Bowerbird was also much appreciated as we repeatedly watched this boldly-patterned bird flying to and from the area where its bower was located. A swampy area close by also produced a single Bailon's Crake, while the reedbeds there held a few noisy Australian Reed-Warblers.
19th October
This day was spent slowly making our way south and west towards the geological phenomenon that is Uluru. It was not however all about heading straight for 'the big red rock', as there are some great birding possibilities on the way. As dawn broke we came across several huge Red Kangaroos bounding along by the road - a really impressive roo and, at upto 1.4m tall, the largest living marsupial. Close to the turning west towards Ayer's Rock we made a designated stop in what can only be described as a moonscape-like, barren and arid habitat. In appearance not much, with just a few trees clinging onto life in this harsh semi-desert environment, but look hard enough and there are some great birds to be had there in amongst the low scrub and dry rocky landscape. Our main target was an inconspicuous warbler, and after coming across a large flock of the much commoner Southern Whitefaces, we found a few Banded Whitefaces unobtrusively feeding on the parched red earth, in the same warbler flock . This kind of habitat can be good for small mixed parties of thornbills and we found some small groups of both Slaty-backed & Chestnut-rumped Thornbills. This area proved a boon for us, also holding a cracking male Crested Bellbird, that drew attention to itself with its strange cow bell-like calls, one of the most distinctive endemic vocalists of inland Australia, and a definite 'looker' also. Another distinctive call was heard in the same area, with a pair of singing Chiming Wedgebills, giving their instantly recognizable metallic, chiming song that can be hard to pinpoint due to its almost ventriloquial qualities. This is one of the close relatives of the Whipbirds, and another very different member of this interesting Australo-Papuan family was seen a few times briefly in the same area when a single Cinnamon Quail-thrush was glimpsed a couple of times, reinforcing their reputation as a notoriously shy and retiring species. Another seriously sexy bird seen in the same area included a close male Red-capped Robin that conveniently posed for photos. We ended the day around Mount Ebenezer in the heart of the Outback, with the drive there producing one of the toughest birds to find in the red center - a glimpsed view out of the corner of Iain's eye had us slamming the brakes on and leaving the vehicle rapidly in pursuit of this highly nomadic and difficult outback bird. Thankfully all of us got several looks at the small party of endemic Ground Cuckoo-shrikes as they moved from spot to spot feeding quietly on the ground between these points. Truly a tough bird to find as they cover vast distances, having enormous home ranges. Good stuff. Other birds seen en-route included one of the most attractive of the Aussie swallows with the striking endemic White-backed Swallow. Close to our hotel a blooming Eucalypt attracted not only the widespread Australasian Magpie, but the scarce nomadic Pied Honeyeater in attendance with some Singing Honeyeaters in the same garden.
20th October
The last morning of the tour was spent in some interesting mulga habitat en-route to Ayer's Rock. This dry, arid habitat is home to some special birds, not least a pair of confiding Mulga Parrots that perched nicely for us (a very sexy parrot, whose dowdy illustration in the field guides doesn't do them justice). The same area also held our first Western Gerygones and a Gray Butcherbird or two. The same area was home to several small, chattering groups of Thornbills, one of which contained the only pair of Inland Thornbills encountered on the tour. It was then all stations to the mighty Uluru, although the most dazzling bird of the day was found right there en-route to the rock. Out of the car window we caught a glimpse of a small flock of passerines actively feeding on the ground. A quick scan through them revealed that almost all of them (at least 40 birds) were stunning Crimson Chats, a hyper active, vivid red-and-white bird that is unquestionably the most beautiful of all the Australian Chats. In amongst the striking reds of this flock were some dowdy, much less conspicuous females alongside a lone male Orange Chat. Other birds seen during the day included a number of Australasian Pipits, Gray-headed Honeyeaters, the endemic Welcome Swallow, more Port Lincoln Parrots, further superb male White-winged Fairywrens, Galahs, White-winged Trillers, Rufous Whistlers and others. The tour officially ended with sunset looking out at Ayers Rock, or Uluru to give it its traditional Aboriginal name. A huge red monolith, that is at it's most visually impressive just before dusk, when the red rock simply appears to glow red under the waning sun. A really awesome sight and a fitting one to end the tour on, (while Crested Pigeons hurried around our feet). Although not quite the largest geological form of its kind, it is one of the most recognizable structures on the planet, standing over 300m above the surrounding flat sandy, plains and extending below the surface for at least a further few kilometers. The distinctive reddish/orange color is formed from weathering of the iron and feldspar minerals, and are best appreciated when they are at their most vivid, in the rising or setting sun...
Taxonomy and nomenclature follow: Clements, James F. 2000. Birds of the World: A Checklist. Fifth Edition. Vista, CA: Ibis Publishing Co. Includes recent updates.
All the birds marked on the list were seen, except those marked with an 'H' which were only heard.
Birds in bold black are birds endemic to the Australian.
GREBES:
Podicipedidae
Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
Hoary-headed Grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus
PELICANS: Pelecanidae
Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus
GANNETS and BOOBIES: Sulidae
Brown Booby Sula leucogaster
CORMORANTS: Phalacrocoracidae
Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius
Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos
ANHINGAS: Anhingidae
Darter Anhinga melanogaster
HERONS, EGRETS and BITTERNS: Ardeidae
Pacific (White-necked) Heron Ardea pacifica
Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana
Great Egret Ardea alba
Pied Heron Egretta picata
Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia
White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Pacific Reef-Heron Egretta sacra
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Striated Heron Butorides striata
Rufous (Nankeen) Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus
STORKS: Ciconiidae
Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
IBISES and SPOONBILLS: Threskiornithidae
Australian Ibis Threskiornis molucca
Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia
DUCKS, GEESE and SWANS: Anatidae
Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata
Plumed Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoni
Wandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arcuata
Black Swan Cygnus atratus
Radjah Shelduck Tadorna radjah
Green Pygmy-goose Nettapus pulchellus
Maned (Australian Wood) Duck Chenonetta jubata
Gray Teal Anas gracilis
Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa
Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus
White-eyed Duck (Hardhead) Aythya australis
OSPREY: Pandionidae
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
HAWKS, EAGLES and KITES: Accipitridae
Australian Kite Elanus axillaris
Black Kite Milvus migrans
Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus
Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus
White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster
Swamp Harrier Circus approximans
Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis
Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus
Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrocephalus
Red Goshawk Erythrotriorchis radiatus
Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax
Little Eagle Aquila morphnoides
FALCONS: Falconidae
Australian Kestrel Falco cenchroides
Brown Falcon Falco berigora
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
MEGAPODES: Megapodiidae
Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt
PHEASANTS and PATRIDGES: Phasianidae
Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora
CRANES: Gruidae
Brolga Grus rubicunda
RAILS, GALLINULES and COOTS: Rallidae
Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis
Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla
White-browed Crake Porzana cinerea
Chestnut Rail Eulabeornis castaneoventris
Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio
Black-tailed Native-hen Gallinula ventralis
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
JACANAS: Jacanidae
Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea
AVOCETS and STILTS: Recurvirostridae
White-headed Stilt Himantopus leucocephalus
Red-necked Avocet Recurvirostra novaehollandiae
THICK-KNEES: Burhinidae
Bush Thick-knee Burhinus grallarius
Beach Thick-knee Burhinus magnirostris
PRATINCOLES: Glareolidae
Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella
PLOVERS and LAPWINGS: Charadriidae
Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles
Red-kneed Dotterel Erythrogonys cinctus
Pacific Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva
Black-bellied (Gray) Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus
Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus
Greater Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii
Oriental Plover Charadrius veredus
Black-fronted Dotterel Elseyornis melanops
SANDPIPERS and ALLIES: Scolopacidae
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Gray-tailed Tattler Heterosceles brevipes
Wandering Tattler Heterosceles incanus
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris
Red Knot Calidris canutus
Sanderling Calidris alba
Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata
GULLS: Laridae
Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae
TERNS: Sternidae
Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica
Great Crested Tern Sterna bergii
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
PIGEONS and DOVES: Columbidae
Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica
Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera
Crested Pigeon Geophaps lophotes
Spinifex Pigeon Geophaps plumifera
Partridge Pigeon Geophaps smithii
Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon Petrophassa rufipennis
White-quilled Rock-Pigeon Petrophassa albipennis
Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata
Peaceful Dove Geopelia placida
Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis
Black-banded Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus alligator
Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus regina
Torresian (Pied) Imperial-Pigeon Ducula bicolor
COCKATOOS: Cacatuidae
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii
Galah Eolophus roseicapillus
Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita
Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus
PARROTS: Psittacidae
Varied Lorikeet Psitteuteles versicolor
Port Lincoln Parrot Barnardius zonarius
Northern Rosella Platycercus venustus
Hooded Parrot Psephotus dissimilis
Red-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus
CUCKOOS: Cuculidae
Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus
Little Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx minutillus
Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianinus
TYPICAL OWLS: Strigidae
Barking Owl Ninox connivens
OWLET-NIGHTJARS: Aegothelidae
Australian Owlet-Nightjar Aegotheles cristatus
NIGHTJARS: Caprimulgidae
Spotted Nightjar Eurostopodus argus
Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus H
KINGFISHERS: Alcedinidae
Azure Kingfisher Alcedo azurea
Little Kingfisher Alcedo pusilla
Blue-winged Kookaburra Dacelo leachii
Forest Kingfisher Todirhamphus macleayii
Red-backed Kingfisher Todirhamphus pyrrhopygia
Collared Kingfisher Todirhamphus chloris
Sacred Kingfisher Todirhamphus sanctus
BEE-EATERS: Meropidae
Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus
TYPICAL ROLLERS: Coraciidae
Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis
PITTAS: Pittidae
Rainbow Pitta Pitta iris
LARKS: Alaudidae
Australasian Bushlark Mirafra javanica
SWALLOWS: Hirundinidae
White-backed Swallow Cheramoeca leucosternus
Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena
Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans
Fairy Martin Petrochelidon ariel Breeding endemic
WAGTAILS and PIPITS: Motacillidae
Australasian Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae
CUCKOO-SHRIKES: Campephagidae
Ground Cuckoo-shrike Coracina maxima
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis
Cicadabird Coracina tenuirostris
Varied Triller Lalage leucomela
CISTICOLAS: Cisticolidae
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
OLD WORLD WARBLERS: Sylviidae
Australian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus australis
Tawny Grassbird Megalurus timoriensis
FANTAILS: Rhipiduridae
Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris
Willie-wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys
Arafura Fantail Rhipidura dryas
OLD WORLD FLYCATCHERS: Muscicapidae
Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula
Broad-billed Flycatcher Myiagra ruficollis
Restless Flycatcher Myiagra inquieta
Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto
AUSTRALASIAN ROBINS: Petroicidae
Jacky-winter Microeca fascinans
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher Microeca flavigaster
Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii
Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata
Mangrove Robin Eopsaltria pulverulenta
WHISTLERS and ALLIES: Pachycephalidae
Crested Bellbird Oreoica gutturalis
Gray Whistler Pachycephala simplex
Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris
Rufous (Little) Shrike-Thrush Colluricincla megarhyncha
Sandstone Shrike-Thrush Colluricincla woodwardi
Gray Shrike-Thrush Colluricincla harmonica
PSEUDO-BABBLERS: Pomatostomidae
Gray-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis White-browed Babbler
Pomatostomus superciliosus
WHIPBIRDS and QUAIL-THRUSHES: Cinclosomatidae
Chiming Wedgebill Psophodes occidentalis
Cinnamon Quail-thrush Cinclosoma cinnamomeum
FAIRYWRENS: Maluridae
Red-backed Fairywren Malurus melanocephalus
White-winged Fairywren Malurus leucopterus
Splendid Fairywren Malurus splendens
Variegated Fairywren Malurus lamberti
Purple-crowned (Lilac-crowned) Fairywren Malurus coronatus
Dusky Grasswren Amytornis purnelli
THORNBILLS and ALLIES: Acanthizidae
Inland Thornbill Acanthiza apicalis
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza uropygialis
Slaty-backed Thornbill Acanthiza robustirostris
Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris
Green-backed Gerygone Gerygone chloronotus
Large-billed Gerygone Gerygone magnirostris
Western Gerygone Gerygone fusca
Mangrove Gerygone Gerygone levigaster
Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis
Banded Whiteface Aphelocephala nigricincta
AUSTRALIAN CHATS: Epthianuridae
Crimson Chat Epthianura tricolor
Orange Chat Epthianura aurifrons
Yellow Chat Epthianura crocea
SITELLAS: Neosittidae
Varied Sittella Neositta chrysoptera
AUSTRALASIAN TREECREEPERS: Climacteridae
Black-tailed Treecreeper Climacteris melanura
FLOWERPECKERS: Dicaeidae
Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum
PARDALOTES: Pardalotidae
Red-browed Pardalote Pardalotus rubricatus
Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus H
WHITE-EYES: Zosteropidae
Australian Yellow White-eye Zosterops luteus
HONEYEATERS: Meliphagidae
Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta
Dusky Myzomela Myzomela obscura
Red-headed Myzomela Myzomela erythrocephala
Banded Honeyeater Certhionyx pectoralis
Pied Honeyeater Certhionyx variegatus
White-lined Honeyeater Meliphaga albilineata
Singing Honeyeater Lichenostomus virescens
White-gaped Honeyeater Lichenostomus unicolor
Gray-headed Honeyeater Lichenostomus keartlandi
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater Lichenostomus flavescens
Gray-fronted Honeyeater Lichenostomus plumulus
White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus
White-throated Honeyeater Melithreptus albogularis
Black-chinned Honeyeater Melithreptus gularis
Little Friarbird Philemon citreogularis
Helmeted Friarbird Philemon buceroides
Silver-crowned Friarbird Philemon argenticeps
Bar-breasted Honeyeater Ramsayornis fasciatus
Rufous-banded Honeyeater Conopophila albogularis
Rufous-throated Honeyeater Conopophila rufogularis
Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis
Yellow-throated Miner Manorina flavigula
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis
OLD WORLD ORIOLES: Oriolidae
Olive-backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatus
Green Oriole Oriolus flavocinctus
Green Figbird Sphecotheres viridis
DRONGOS: Dicruridae
Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus
MUDNEST BUILDERS: Grallinidae
Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca
WOODSWALLOWS: Artamidae
White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus
Masked Woodswallow Artamus personatus
Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus
Little Woodswallow Artamus minor
BELLMAGPIES and ALLIES: Cracticidae
Gray Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus
Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis
Black Butcherbird Cracticus quoyi
Australasian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen
BOWERBIRDS: Ptilonorhynchidae
Western Bowerbird Chlamydera guttata
Great Bowerbird Chlamydera nuchalis
CROWS, JAYS and MAGPIES: Corvidae
Torresian Crow Corvus orru
Little Crow Corvus bennetti
Australian Raven Corvus coronoides
WAXBILLS and ALLIES: Estrildidae
Painted Firetail Emblema pictum
Crimson Finch Neochmia phaeton
Star Finch Neochmia ruficauda
Chestnut-eared (Zebra) Finch Taeniopygia castanotis
Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii
Masked Finch Poephila personata
Long-tailed Finch Poephila acuticauda
Gouldian Finch Chloebia gouldiae
Chestnut-breasted Munia Lonchura castaneothorax