Northern Australia - September 2011

A three week trip, from 16th September to 8thOctober 2011 to northern WA and the Northern Territory, was arranged to visit some parts of northern Australia which we hadn’t seen yet and to see my brother Allan in Kununurra. Part of the reason for the trip was that central Australia has had exceptional rains over the past two years and there had been many reports of excellent birding in the “Red Centre”.

The trip started off with three days in Broome, then we flew across to Kununurra for a further four days before driving to Katherine via Victoria River. Had three days in Katherine before travelling up to the Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks on the way to Darwin. We then fly down to Alice Springs for a further six days before flying back home.

Yvonne flew across from Melbourne on Wednesday 14thSeptember to spend a couple of days in Perth before leaving for Broome on the Friday.

Perth has had good winter rains and was still relatively cool and wet before we left. The flowers in Kings Park were amazing this year and we spent Thursday afternoon having a look for orchids. We saw five different species of orchid. What was impressive was the masses of orchids in flower making them easy to find.

Ruby Spider Orchid (Jonesiopsis occidentallis)
On Friday 16th Sept, we flew up to Broome on Qantas, arriving just after midday. After collecting the rental car, we headed over to Windmill Lodge (www.windmilllodgebroome.com) where we were staying. Comfortable accommodation, good breakfasts and lovely hosts. The weather in Broome was generally cool at night, misty in the morning and then heating up to low thirty’s during the day.

On Saturday 17th Sept, went out to Broome Bird Observatory, where mist netting was taking place along the beach. Failed to find the Asian Dowitcher despite searching through many Bar-tailed Godwit. The Asian Dowitcher is a regular visitor in small numbers to NW Australia and local birder Adrian Boyle had reported that there were about 10 birds present in Roebuck Bay at the time of our visit. Did however see quite a few Great Knot and a couple of Red Knot, still with some breeding plumage remaining. Spent some time at the observatory watching various finches, such as Long-tailed and Double-barred Finch, coming down to drink at the bird baths.
 
View of Roebuck Bay from BBO
Went down to Broome Port in the late afternoon, which has a good seafood restaurant, and watched the sun setting over the sea. Saw four Brown Booby in the late afternoon around the port.

Broome Port
On Sunday 18th Sept, went back to Broome Bird Observatory and were roped in as volunteers for the mist netting. The aim was to capture Greater Sand Plover which has geolocators attached in the previous year. Three birds with geolocators were present in the target area and after much anticipation the nets were fired when at least one bird was within the netting zone.

The geolocators need to be removed from the birds and the data downloaded on a computer to assess their flight paths to the breeding areas. One Greater Sand Plover with a geolocator was successfully captured, along with one Lesser Sand Plover, one Great Knot, quite a few Red-necked Stint, a couple of Red-capped Plover and a Ruddy Turnstone. Not a huge number of birds but the aim was to primarily capture birds with geolocators. Quite a few things can go wrong with the netting process, such as people walking their dogs into the target zone, birds of prey flying over and putting the birds to flight, vehicle traffic and interested passers-by coming to have a look.

The Target Zone - Waiting for the tide to come in
In the evening went to Cable Beach for the closing celebrations for a week long festival.

Sunset over Cable Beach
On Monday 19th Sept, we headed up to the Fitzroy River and onto Derby. The tide was out at Derby, which has the highest tides in Australia (up to 12m) and the second highest in the world, with Nova Scotia having the highest at 15m. As the tide was coming back in, we managed to see a Great-billed Heron on the water’s edge, which was later joined by a second bird. The Great-billed Heron is difficult to see in Australia and I had previously only seen this bird in Indonesia.

Had lunch at the fish restaurant at the Derby wharf, which had some excellent Barramundi and is a good spot to relax during the heat of the day. The restaurant has mist sprays which cool down the air very effectively.

In the afternoon visited the Derby wetlands which had hundreds of Plumed Whistling-duck and also flushed out about 12 Brown Quail. Stopped off at the Prison Tree Boab, which was used in the 1890's as a lock-up for Aboriginal prisoners on the way to Derby for sentencing.

Prison Tree Boab
The trip to Derby and back was generally good for birds with three Black-breasted Buzzard seen along the way. Back in Broome we managed to see the Barking Owl at Windmill Lodge, which had been calling over the past few days.

On Tuesday 20th Sept, we flew across to Kununurra on SkyWest. Plenty of room on the plane and the leg space is far better than on the Qantas flights. Met up with Allan at the airport, had a quick tour around Kununurra and then onto the new house which is very impressive. The weather was hotter (high thirty’s) than Broome and the sky was thick with smoke from recent burning.

Sunset over Kununurra
It appears that most of the areas in the Kimberly and Northern Territory, where we travelled, had been burnt. Some of the fires had been lit after the wet season and the regrowth was evident, however by far the greatest area which had been recently burnt, which is resulting in significant damage to the wildlife and vegetation. The area in the Kimberly which is burnt every year is an area about the size of the State of Victoria.

Disappointingly the Cane Toad is now well established in Kununurra plus the Ord River and is moving still further eastwards. The spread of the Cane Toad though the Northern Territory, in particular places such as Kakadu, has reportedly resulted in 75% to 80% reduction in wildlife numbers, which may directly or indirectly ingest the Cane Toad poison. Compared with the area between Broome and Derby, the area between Kununurra and Darwin seemed devoid of wildlife, with very few kangaroos and wallabies seen, and far lower numbers of raptors.  

Blue-winged Kookaburra
On Wednesday 21st Sept, Allan took us out to El Questro station to visit Zebedee Springs, then for a walk up El Questro Gorge.

El Questro Gorge
After lunch at El Questro, we headed over to Emma Gorge for another walk up a gorge and then late afternoon swim. El Questro is very pleasant to visit although is very civilised compared to the rest of the Gibb River Road. Three Pacific Baza were seen circling and calling over Zebedee Springs. We saw the only Spinifex Pigeon of the trip on the Gibb River Road.

Emma Gorge
On Thursday 22nd Sept, we spent the morning visiting various aboriginal art galleries. Kununurra has quite a range of art galleries, from the exclusive and expensive down to the mass produced art. It’s a good place for art purchases and far better than what is usually displayed to tourist shops down south, such as in Perth and even Broome. Took a bus trip up to Argyle Dam at midday and then a river cruise down the Ord River back to Kununurra in the afternoon. Had a great guide from Triple J Tours (triplejtours.com.au) who was very informative and took time to stop along the way. It’s a great trip and a good way to relax and enjoy the Kimberly scenery.

Ord River
Saw three Black Bittern, White-quilled Rock-pigeon, White-browed Crake plus many Comb-crested Jacana and Green Pygmy-goose along the river. While waiting for the tour bus, saw a Forest Kingfisher at the Lakeside Resort in the late morning, which is rarely seen in WA. 

Comb-crested Jacana
On Friday 23rd Sept, went to Hidden Valley in early morning. Hidden Valley is adjacent to the town of Kununurra and is also referred to as the Mini Bungle Bungles. The area is usually good for quail and button-quail, however only one was flushed out on this trip. We did see other good birds, such as White-quilled Rock-pigeon, Pallid Cuckoo plus Red-backed and Variegated Fairy-wren.

Hidden Valley
After the hot morning at Hidden Valley, had a lazy midday before picking up the rental car. Took a drive out to the Zebra Rock Gallery which in on the Ord River. Nice gallery and great mango smoothies. Some nice birds around including Australian Pratincole, Forest Kingfisher and Plumed Whistling-duck.

Freshwater Crocodiles

Went with Allan and Terry to a hill (known only to locals) in the Hidden Valley for sunset drinks and snacks, before having dinner at the Pumphouse Restaurant on the Ord River in the evening. This is one of the top restaurants in Kununurra and in the evening catfish and crocodiles are attracted to the restaurant lights. We feed the catfish from the restaurant and could see the ring of crocodiles further out, with their eyes glowing in the reflected light.

Long-tailed Rock Monitor or Black-palmed Monitor (Varanus glebopalma)
Left Kununurra on Saturday 24th Sept, for the drive through to Katherine in the Northern Territory. First stop was at the Keep River National Park in the Northern Territory at Cockatoo Lake, about 3km off the main road. Some nice birds including Nankeen Night-heron and Yellow-tinted Honeyeater.

Next stop was the Big Horse Creek in the Gregory National Park. Quite hot (35oC) by midday and very dry. The Arnhemland Two-lined Dragon had the right idea. Saw a Black-breasted Buzzard close to the road and quite a few Grey-fronted Honeyeater from the hill overlooking Timber Creek.

Arnhemland Two-lined Dragon (Diporiphora arnhemica)
Stayed at the Victoria River Roadhouse for the night. Very pleasant overnight stop with comfortable and very reasonable ($95/night) accommodation. The roadhouse is on the Victoria River and this is a good spot for Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, which we saw two of in the tall grass at the eastern end of the old Victoria River bridge. Quite a few Common Wallaroo (Euro) at the roadhouse and the banks of the Victoria River is a good spot for Short-eared Rock Wallaby.

On Sunday 25th Sept, headed up to Joe Creek in the Gregory National Park for breakfast. Not much there except for a Ground Cuckoo-shrike flying over chased by a Torresian Crow. Headed off to Campbell Springs (38km east from Victoria River) which has no signpost and is difficult to find. It has permanent flowing water, Pandanus palms and fruiting trees, which makes it a great place to stop. Saw a few hundred Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, quite a few Yellow-rumped Mannikin and also Banded Honeyeater. Red-tailed Black-cockatoo were feeding in the trees above. Red-browed Pardalote was heard but couldn’t be located.

Drove partway down the Buntine Highway to Humbles Creek which is a good spot for Grey Falcon and finches. Didn’t see the Grey Falcon, however did see Apostlebird and three finch species. For the trip so far Double-barred and Crimson Finch were widespread and common. The Chestnut-breasted Mannikin were only seen at three sites and were only abundant at Campbell Springs. The Yellow-rumped Mannikin were only seen at Campbell Springs and in low numbers. Long-tailed Finches, also in low numbers, were only seen at three sites. As it was late in the dry season, there was no fresh seeding grasses, which would have attracted the finches. In addition there were still many streams and creeks which still had water, so there was no concentration of finches drinking at the water holes. 

Drove through to Nitmiluk National Park (www.nitmiluktours.com.au/accommodation) on the Katherine River to the east of Katherine. Stayed in cabins in the park which were well equipped, including high speed internet access and very comfortable, i.e. good air conditioning. Lovely park to stay at and great walks to the Katherine River and up onto the escarpment behind the camp. Many Agile Wallaby in the park plus prolific birdlife with many Great Bowerbird trying to attract mates using their bowers.

Great Bowerbird - Male on outside of bower displaying to the female in inside
On Monday 26th Sept, took a walk up one of the gorges (Windolf Walk) onto the escarpment. Very hot and exposed on top of the escarpment, but the gorge was good for birding. Had a relaxing day and drove into Katherine for supplies in the late afternoon. Quick visit to the Katherine Sewerage Works, where two large freshwater crocodiles were present plus some waders and ducks.

Red-winged Parrot
On Tuesday 27th Sept, took an early morning walk up onto the escarpment. Briefly saw a Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon flying away and a few Sandstone Shrike-thrush.

Sandstone Shrike-thrush getting water on overhanging rock face
Took an afternoon cruise up the first and second Katherine River gorges. Very pleasant trip and good views of the gorges. Saw Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon again in the gorge and managed to get a photograph.

View up towards the second gorge
Went into Katherine after the cruise for further supplies and to stop at a farm dam to look at the hundreds of Plumed Whistling-duck. As I stopped the car I noticed some large “finches” landing in the grass behind the car. I walked up the road and couldn’t see anything, then walked back to where the birds were seen. Still nothing, so I walked into the grass and suddenly about six button-quail flew up and then landed in the adjacent farmyard, never to be seen again. Based on the brief views, flight pattern and local distribution, these were most likely Chestnut-backed Button-quail.  

On Wednesday 28th Sept, left Katherine in early morning and drove up to Edith Falls, which is also part of the Nitmiluk National Park. What a lovely place to stay, has lovely grassed areas, well laid-out campsite and huge swimming area at the base of the waterfalls. Saw two Bush Stone-curlew trying to sneak away, four Eastern Koel plus at least six Northern Rosella coming in to take a shower in the sprinklers.

Bush Stone-curlew
Drove up to Pine Creek and had lunch there, nice steak hamburger and milkshakes. Some nice birds around Pine Creek such as Azure Kingfisher, Bar-breasted Honeyeater, Pallid Cuckoo and Hooded Parrot. Also had a look at the local sewerage works which had Radjah Shelduck and Black-fronted Dotterel.

Drove up Kakadu Road to the Goymarr Tourist Park (old Mary River Roadhouse) where we were to spend the next two nights. What a disappointment and not worth staying at unless one wants an early morning start for Gunlom, which was our original plan. Had a look around the Mary River area in late afternoon and nothing of interest.

On Thursday 29th Sept, arranged to stay for an extra night at Litchfield, left Goymarr and took a drive partway to Gunlom. Nothing of interest and as the White-throated Grasswren has not been seen for several years at Gunlom, decided to head off to Litchfield. Saw no mammals in the Kakadu except for Brumbies and Water Buffalo. It also now costs $25 per person (valid for 14 days and local NT residents exempt) to visit Kakadu, which for a half day visit is a rip-off. Permits can only be obtained between 08:30 and 17:00 which is not convenient for those wanting to travel early into Kakadu.
Between Mary River and Pine Creek saw two large flocks of Cockatiel. Stopped at Big Nellie Creek on the same road and saw a Black Bittern plus two Nankeen Night-heron and a flock of Hooded Parrot flyover. In the small dirty pool below the bridge there was a crocodile present, probably a freshwater croc based on the footprints on the sand banks.

Stayed at the Litchfield Tourist Park (www.litchfieldtouristpark.com.au) in a Stockman’s Cabin which was very pleasant. Nice gardens and facilities plus plenty of birds in the gardens. The park is only 4km from the entrance to Litchfield NP which is very convenient. Headed up to Wangi Falls and Greenant Creek in Litchfield NP in the late afternoon. Wangi Falls is impressive and has a good walk up to the top of the falls and through tropical monsoon forest. Came across about eight wild pig and a single Orange-footed Scrubfowl. 

Wangi Falls
On Friday 30th Sept, visited Florence Falls in early morning, then Tabletop Swamp and Greenant Creek, all in the Litchfield NP. In late afternoon took a drive down to Bachelor and then on some farm roads, ending up at a farm dam which was full of water birds including White-bellied Sea-eagle. Saw a Short-eared Rock-wallaby at Florence Falls on the walk down to the swimming area and a Green-backed Gerygone in the rainforest.

Short-eared Rock-wallaby
On Saturday 1st Oct, visited Tolmer Falls and Cascade Falls in the Litchfield NP in the morning. Driving into the national park in the early morning we came across large flocks of Varied Lorikeet. They were in the trees where we stopped and usually I would only see these birds flying away. Managed to get some nice photos of these birds which remind me of the Lovebirds in Africa.

Varied Lorikeet
The walk up to Cascade Falls was very pleasant and came across a small (600mm) and harmless Freshwater (Keelback) snake which was not keen to move out of the path. 

Freshwater Snake
Also saw nesting pairs of Large-billed Gerygone and Shining Flycatcher. These birds both have wonderfully disguised nests, with the Gerygone making a nest which looks like flood debris hanging off a thin branch over the river.

Female Shining Flycatcher on nest on river bank
Litchfield National Park has some wonderful walks, waterfalls and swimming areas, all very well maintained with generally good access. The park gets busy from mid-morning onwards, as visitors come in to swim, however early in the morning it’s very quiet.

Tolmer Falls
On Sunday 2nd Oct, we drove up to Darwin stopping at Howard Springs Nature Reserve and Knuckey Lagoons, before flying down to Alice Springs in the afternoon. The Darwin area was quite humid and hot compared with further south. Howard Springs had good numbers of Rainbow Pitta, this being best place in the Darwin area to see them, Knuckey Lagoons had large numbers of water birds and had quite a few Brolga coming in to land on the wetlands.

Rainbow Pitta
In Alice Springs we picked up our Pajero 4WD from Avis which was an upgrade from the RAV4. We stayed at Nthaba Cottage B&B (www.nthabacottage.com.au) which was the best paid-for accommodation of the trip. Anne and William were excellent hosts and we were very well looked during our six night stay. William is a keen birder and was able to provide some good advice plus arranged access to the sewerage works.

View of the West MacDonnells Range at sunset from Nthaba B&B

This was our first trip to Alice Springs and the weather was very pleasant, cool compared to Darwin with some rain and also pleasant sunny days. We were impressed with Alice Springs and need to go back to visit the places we didn’t have time for, especially the gorges to the west of the West MacDonnell ranges. Alice Springs is in the “Red Centre” of Australia however with the heavy rains over the past two years, the vegetation is fairly dense and there was not much red sand to be seen.

On Monday 3rd October, we started off with an early morning visit to the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens (www.opbg.com.au) and then visited the Telegraph Station Historical Reserve just north of Alice. The birds species were now different to what we had been seeing for the past two weeks, with new trip birds such as Western Bowerbird, Crested Bellbird, Grey-crowned Babbler and Hooded Robin. At the Telegraph Station we saw quite a few Common Wallaroo (Euro).

Todd River (main river through Alice) at Telegraph Station
At midday we stopped in at the Alice Springs Sewerage Works before visiting several gorges of the East MacDonnell ranges travelling as far east as Corroboree Rock.

Aboriginal Artwork at Emily Gap
In the late afternoon we drove down the Santa Teresa road to the well known “tyre-in-the-pole" site some 32km from the airport roundabout. At the Santa Teresa site, the Spinifex on the eastern side had been completely burnt out and the area is looking quite desolate. It was quite windy by late afternoon and although several Rufous-crowned Emu-wren could be heard, none were showing. In hindsight, it was not necessary to take the poor road down to Santa Teresa and the target birds can be found far closer to Alice Springs.

On Tuesday 4th October, we met up with Mark Carter of DesertLife (desertlife.com.au) for an excellent day’s birding. There had been overnight rain and it rained on and off during the day. There were pools of water on the roads which attracted many birds including Mulga Parrots. We started off the birding in the Corroboree Rock area and tracked down Sinifexbird, Rufous-crowned Emu-wren, Dusky Grasswren and Red-browed Pardalote. The latter bird I have heard on the Birdsville Track and elsewhere but never managed to see it. On the way down from the rocky hillside, we flushed a Spotted Nightjar from a nest. We located the nest, by nearly stepping on it, and there was a small chick in the nest, looking like a large pebble. Saw quite a few Grey-headed Honeyeater, Budgies and Mulga Parrots in the area as well.

Spotted Nightjar chick on nest
After the great start to the day we travelled to Simpsons Gap on the West MacDonnell’s range. Had a look for Redthroat but the area had been burnt recently so didn’t find any birds. Yvonne spotted a Grey Honeyeater from the car, which is a difficult bird to track down, unfortunately we couldn’t find that bird either.

Had lunch at the Alice Springs Desert Park and then travelled north of Alice up the Tanami Road, to the Kunoth Bore area. After much bundu bashing and seeing lots of thornbills we managed to locate a single Slaty-backed Thornbill. We searched the Mulga trees for Grey Honeyeater but were unsuccessful. However we did have great views of about 12 Bourke’s Parrots out in the open. Also saw the “albicauda” subspecies of the Grey Fantail which has a lot of white in the tail feathers and looks spectacular with the tail feather fanned out.

The “albicauda” subspecies of the Grey Fantail
Along the way we came across a Gilbert’s Dragon, which is uncommon for the area, Central Bearded Dragon in the road, Common Wallaroo (Euro) and several Red Kangaroo. When approached the Bearded Dragon puffs itself up and tilts its body toward the predator, to make itself look larger.

Central Bearded Dragon
We headed back to Alice Springs in the late afternoon having seen all our target birds except for Grey Honeyeater and Painted Finch. The Painted Finch had been common in Alice earlier in the year, however they had all but disappeared by the time of our visit, with only a couple of sightings being reported. Overall a great day out with Mark who made tracking down the birds seem very easy.

Spinifexbird
On Wednesday 5th October, after a morning exploring Aboriginal art galleries and local museums, we headed out to Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap. Had a pleasant afternoon exploring the gorges and at Simpsons Gap car park managed to attract a party of thornbills and gerygone. The bird party included one Slaty-backed Thornbill, at least six Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, two Yellow-rumped Thornbill, one Inland Thornbill and two Western Gerygone.

Simpsons Gap
On Thursday 6th October, we had an early start, taking the bus to Uluru which left at 6am and arrived back in Alice at midnight. The trip was with Emu-run Tours (www.emurun.com.au) which were excellent and made the travelling pleasurable. On the way down we saw a Pheasant Coucal, which is way out of its normal range, plus a healthy herd of about 40 Dromedary Camel. As we got closer to Uluru, many of the grevillea and other shrubs, were in full flower.

Kata Tjuta National Park
We arrived at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park at midday and took a walk up a gorge at Kata Tjuta initially before going on to Uluru. Some of the tour group took the climb up Uluru and the rest of us took a walk and tour around the base of Uluru, which was very pleasant and also educational. We had barbeque with champagne just before sunset, overlooking Uluru as the sun was setting. This was much to the envy of hoards of bussed-in tourists which only had some nuts and a drink at sunset. After this we headed off for the five hour drive back to Alice bumping into just one kangaroo on the way. 

The ants (people) climbing Uluru
On Friday 7th October, we headed up to the Tanami Road again in search of the Grey Honeyeater. After much looking Yvonne spotted one feeding off Mistletoe in mature Mulga trees next to where the car was parked. I managed to get good views of the bird, including some photographs, and also had the bird singing which helped to confirm its identity. Many other good birds in the area including two Slaty-backed Thornbill, Southern Whiteface, Crested Bellbird, Black-breasted Buzzard, Varied Sittella (white-winged “leucoptera”sub-species) and many Zebra Finch.

Grey Honeyeater
On Saturday 8th October, we flew out of Alice Spings in the morning, with Yvonne heading home to Melbourne and myself off to Perth for work.

There were many birding highlights along the way and the lifers for me were as follows:
· Chestnut-backed Buttonquail – Seen on road between Katherine and Nitmiluk NP.
· Spotted Nightjar – Parent flushed off nest with chick close to Corroboree Rock.
· Rufous-crowned Emu-wren –At least three birds heard at the Santa Teresa Rd “tyre-in-the-pole” site and three male and one female seen in Spinifex grass close to Corroboree Rock.
· Grey Honeyeater – One bird seen at Simpsons Gap and one on the Hamilton Downs Rd close to Kunoth Bore.
· Dusky Grasswren – At least four birds seen close to Corroboree Rock on rocky hillsides.
· Red-browed Pardalote –Seen and photographed close to Corroboree Rock. Looks very different to the Spotted and Striated Pardalotes.
· Slaty-backed Thornbill- Seen at Simpsons Gap, Tanami Road and on the Hamilton Downs Rd close to Kunoth Bore.
· Spinifexbird – Seen and photographed in Spinifex grass close to Corroboree Rock.
The Great-billed Heron was a new Australian bird for me although I had previously seen this bird at the West Bali National Park.
The only other possible lifer was a couple of Banded Fruit-dove which Yvonne was certain she saw at Greenant Creek up in Litchfield National Park. I only saw them flying over and unfortunately didn’t look at them with binoculars, it was late in the day, hot and sticky. I have checked with local birding experts, including Niven McCrie, as I couldn’t find any sightings in Litchfield for these birds, and the bird remains an interesting possibility.
Overall we had a wonderful trip to Northern Australia and will be back some time again, probably in May or June after the wet season.
The full list of the 232 birds seen during the trip, including subspecies according to the IOC taxonomy, is as follows:
 
Galliformes

Megapodes (Megapodiidae)

Orange-footed Scrubfowl [sp] (Megapodius reinwardt)

Guineafowl (Numididae)

Helmeted Guineafowl [sp] (Numida meleagris)

Pheasants, Fowl & Allies (Phasianidae)

Brown Quail [sp] (Coturnix ypsilophora)

Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)

Anseriformes

Magpie Goose (Anseranatidae)

Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata)

Ducks, Geese & swans (Anatidae)

Plumed Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna eytoni)

Wandering Whistling Duck [sp] (Dendrocygna arcuata)

Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)

Raja Shelduck [sp] (Tadorna radjah)

Raja Shelduck [rufitergum] (Tadorna radjah rufitergum)

Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus)

Maned Duck (Chenonetta jubata)

Green Pygmy Goose (Nettapus pulchellus)

Pacific Black Duck [sp] (Anas superciliosa)

Grey Teal (Anas gracilis)

Hardhead [sp] (Aythya australis)

Podicipediformes

Grebes (Podicipedidae)

Australasian Grebe [sp] (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)

Australasian Grebe [novaehollandiae] (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae novaehollandiae)

Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus)

Ciconiiformes

Storks (Ciconiidae)

Black-necked Stork [sp] (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus)

Pelecaniformes

Ibises, Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae)

Australian White Ibis [sp] (Threskiornis moluccus)

Australian White Ibis [moluccus] (Threskiornis moluccus moluccus)

Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)

Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia)

Herons, Bitterns (Ardeidae)

Black Bittern [sp] (Dupetor flavicollis)

Nankeen Night Heron [sp] (Nycticorax caledonicus)

Striated Heron [sp] (Butorides striata)

Eastern Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus)

White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica)

Great-billed Heron (Ardea sumatrana)

Eastern Great Egret (Ardea alba modesta)

Intermediate Egret [sp] (Egretta intermedia)

Pied Heron (Egretta picata)

White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae)

Little Egret [sp] (Egretta garzetta)

Pacific Reef Heron [sp] (Egretta sacra)

Pelicans (Pelecanidae)

Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

Suliformes

Gannets, Boobies (Sulidae)

Brown Booby [sp] (Sula leucogaster)

Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocoracidae)

Little Pied Cormorant [sp] (Microcarbo melanoleucos)

Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)

Australian Pied Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax varius)

Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae)

Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae)

ACCIPITRIFORMES

Ospreys (Pandionidae)

Eastern Osprey (Pandion cristatus)

Kites, Hawks & Eagles (Accipitridae)

Pacific Baza [sp] (Aviceda subcristata)

Black-breasted Buzzard (Hamirostra melanosternon)

Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)

Black Kite [sp] (Milvus migrans)

Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus)

Brahminy Kite [sp] (Haliastur indus)

White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis)

Brown Goshawk [sp] (Accipiter fasciatus)

Brown Goshawk [didimus] (Accipiter fasciatus didimus)

Wedge-tailed Eagle [sp] (Aquila audax)

Wedge-tailed Eagle [audax] (Aquila audax audax)

Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides)

Falconiformes

Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae)

Nankeen Kestrel [sp] (Falco cenchroides)

Brown Falcon [sp] (Falco berigora)

Peregrine Falcon [sp] (Falco peregrinus)

Gruiformes

Rails, Crakes & Coots (Rallidae)

Buff-banded Rail [sp] (Gallirallus philippensis)

Australian Crake (Porzana fluminea)

White-browed Crake (Porzana cinerea)

Purple Swamphen [sp] (Porphyrio porphyrio)

Black-tailed Nativehen (Tribonyx ventralis)

Eurasian Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Cranes (Gruidae)

Brolga (Grus rubicunda)

Charadriiformes

Buttonquails (Turnicidae)

Chestnut-backed Buttonquail (Turnix castanotus)

Little Buttonquail (Turnix velox)

Stone-curlews, Thick-Knees (Burhinidae)

Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius)

Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae)

Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris)

Sooty Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus fuliginosus)

Stilts, Avocets (Recurvirostridae)

White-headed Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus)

Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae)

Plovers (Charadriidae)

Masked Lapwing [sp] (Vanellus miles)

Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus)

Grey Plover [sp] (Pluvialis squatarola)

Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus)

Lesser Sand Plover [sp] (Charadrius mongolus)

Greater Sand Plover [sp] (Charadrius leschenaultii)

Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops)

Jacanas (Jacanidae)

Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea)

Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae)

Bar-tailed Godwit [sp] (Limosa lapponica)

Whimbrel [sp] (Numenius phaeopus)

Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis)

Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)

Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

Grey-tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes)

Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus)

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Ruddy Turnstone [sp] (Arenaria interpres)

Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris)

Red Knot [sp] (Calidris canutus)

Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis)

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata)

Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)

Coursers, Pratincoles (Glareolidae)

Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella)

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers (Laridae)

Silver Gull [sp] (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae)

Gull-billed Tern [macrotarsa] (Gelochelidon nilotica macrotarsa)

Greater Crested Tern [sp] (Thalasseus bergii)

Lesser Crested Tern [sp] (Thalasseus bengalensis)

Little Tern [sp] (Sternula albifrons)

Whiskered Tern [sp] (Chlidonias hybrida)

Columbiformes

Doves and Pigeons (Columbidae)

Spotted Dove [sp] (Spilopelia chinensis)

Pacific Emerald Dove [sp] (Chalcophaps longirostris)

Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera)

Crested Pigeon [sp] (Ocyphaps lophotes)

Spinifex Pigeon [plumifera] (Geophaps plumifera plumifera)

Partridge Pigeon [smithii] (Geophaps smithii smithii)

Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon (Petrophassa rufipennis)

White-quilled Rock Pigeon [albipennis] (Petrophassa albipennis albipennis)

Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata)

Peaceful Dove [placida] (Geopelia placida placida)

Bar-shouldered Dove [sp] (Geopelia humeralis)

Bar-shouldered Dove [inexpectata] (Geopelia humeralis inexpectata)

Torresian Imperial Pigeon (Ducula spilorrhoa)

Psittaciformes

Cockatoos (Cacatuidae)

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo [sp] (Calyptorhynchus banksii)

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo [macrorhynchus] (Calyptorhynchus banksii macrorhynchus)

Major Mitchell's Cockatoo [sp] (Lophochroa leadbeateri)

Galah [sp] (Eolophus roseicapilla)

Galah [roseicapilla] (Eolophus roseicapilla roseicapilla)

Little Corella [sp] (Cacatua sanguinea)

Little Corella [sanguinea] (Cacatua sanguinea sanguinea)

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo [sp] (Cacatua galerita)

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo [fitzroyi] (Cacatua galerita fitzroyi)

Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

Parrots and Macaws (Psittacidae)

Red-collared Lorikeet (Trichoglossus rubritorquis)

Varied Lorikeet (Psitteuteles versicolor)

Australian Ringneck [sp] (Barnardius zonarius)

Port Lincoln Parrot (Barnardius zonarius zonarius)

Northern Rosella [venustus] (Platycercus venustus venustus)

Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius)

Hooded Parrot (Psephotus dissimilis)

Bourke's Parrot (Neopsephotus bourkii)

Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Red-winged Parrot [sp] (Aprosmictus erythropterus)

Cuculiformes

Cuckoos (Cuculidae)

Pheasant Coucal [sp] (Centropus phasianinus)

Pheasant Coucal [melanurus] (Centropus phasianinus melanurus)

Pacific Koel [sp] (Eudynamys orientalis)

Australian Koel [subcyanocephalus] (Eudynamys orientalis subcyanocephalus)

Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx basalis)

Pallid Cuckoo (Cacomantis pallidus)

Strigiformes

Barn Owls (Tytonidae)

Eastern Barn Owl [sp] (Tyto delicatula)

Australian Barn Owl (Tyto delicatula delicatula)

Owls (Strigidae)

Barking Owl [peninsularis] (Ninox connivens peninsularis)

Caprimulgiformes

Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)

Spotted Nightjar (Eurostopodus argus)

Coraciiformes

Rollers (Coraciidae)

Oriental Dollarbird [sp] (Eurystomus orientalis)

Oriental Dollarbird [pacificus] (Eurystomus orientalis pacificus)

Kingfishers (Alcedinidae)

Blue-winged Kookaburra [leachii] (Dacelo leachii leachii)

Forest Kingfisher [sp] (Todiramphus macleayii)

Forest Kingfisher [macleayii] (Todiramphus macleayii macleayii)

Sacred Kingfisher [sp] (Todiramphus sanctus)

Red-backed Kingfisher (Todiramphus pyrrhopygius)

Azure Kingfisher [sp] (Ceyx azureus)

Azure Kingfisher [ruficollaris] (Ceyx azureus ruficollaris)

Bee-Eaters (Meropidae)

Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)

Passeriformes

Pittas (Pittidae)

Rainbow Pitta [sp] (Pitta iris)

Bowerbirds (Ptilonorhynchidae)

Western Bowerbird [sp] (Chlamydera guttata)

Great Bowerbird [sp] (Chlamydera nuchalis)

Great Bowerbird [nuchalis] (Chlamydera nuchalis nuchalis)

Fairywrens (Maluridae)

Variegated Fairywren [sp] (Malurus lamberti)

Variegated Fairywren [bernieri] (Malurus lamberti bernieri)

Splendid Fairywren [sp] (Malurus splendens)

Purple-crowned Fairywren (Malurus coronatus coronatus)

Red-backed Fairywren [sp] (Malurus melanocephalus)

Rufous-crowned Emu-wren (Stipiturus ruficeps)

Dusky Grasswren (Amytornis purnelli)

Honeyeaters (Meliphagidae)

Singing Honeyeater [sp] (Lichenostomus virescens)

White-gaped Honeyeater (Lichenostomus unicolor)

Grey-headed Honeyeater (Lichenostomus keartlandi)

Grey-fronted Honeyeater [sp] (Lichenostomus plumulus)

Yellow-tinted Honeyeater [sp] (Lichenostomus flavescens)

White-plumed Honeyeater [sp] (Lichenostomus penicillatus)

White-plumed Honeyeater [leilavalensis] (Lichenostomus penicillatus leilavalensis)

Yellow-throated Miner [sp] (Manorina flavigula)

Blue-faced Honeyeater [sp] (Entomyzon cyanotis)

Blue-faced Honeyeater [albipennis] (Entomyzon cyanotis albipennis)

White-throated Honeyeater [sp] (Melithreptus albogularis)

White-throated Honeyeater [albogularis] (Melithreptus albogularis albogularis)

Banded Honeyeater (Cissomela pectoralis)

Little Friarbird [sp] (Philemon citreogularis)

Little Friarbird [sordidus] (Philemon citreogularis sordidus)

Silver-crowned Friarbird [sp] (Philemon argenticeps)

Silver-crowned Friarbird [argenticeps] (Philemon argenticeps argenticeps)

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis)

Brown Honeyeater [sp] (Lichmera indistincta)

Brown Honeyeater [indistincta] (Lichmera indistincta indistincta)

Bar-breasted Honeyeater (Ramsayornis fasciatus)

Rufous-throated Honeyeater (Conopophila rufogularis)

Grey Honeyeater (Conopophila whitei)

Dusky Myzomela [sp] (Myzomela obscura)

Dusky Myzomela [obscura] (Myzomela obscura obscura)

Pardalotes (Pardalotidae)

Red-browed Pardalote [sp] (Pardalotus rubricatus)

Red-browed Pardalote [rubricatus] (Pardalotus rubricatus rubricatus)

Northern Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus uropygialis)

Thornbills (Acanthizidae)

Weebill [sp] (Smicrornis brevirostris)

Yellow Weebill (Smicrornis brevirostris flavescens)

Western Gerygone [sp] (Gerygone fusca)

Large-billed Gerygone [magnirostris] (Gerygone magnirostris magnirostris)

Green-backed Gerygone [chloronota] (Gerygone chloronota chloronota)

White-throated Gerygone [rogersi] (Gerygone olivacea rogersi)

Inland Thornbill [sp] (Acanthiza apicalis)

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis)

Yellow-rumped Thornbill [sp] (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa)

Slaty-backed Thornbill (Acanthiza robustirostris)

Southern Whiteface [sp] (Aphelocephala leucopsis)

Southern Whiteface [leucopsis] (Aphelocephala leucopsis leucopsis)

Australasian Babblers (Pomatostomidae)

Grey-crowned Babbler [sp] (Pomatostomus temporalis)

White-browed Babbler [sp] (Pomatostomus superciliosus)

Butcherbirds (Cracticidae)

Silver-backed Butcherbird [argenteus] (Cracticus torquatus argenteus)

Pied Butcherbird [sp] (Cracticus nigrogularis)

Pied Butcherbird [picatus] (Cracticus nigrogularis picatus)

Australian Magpie [sp] (Gymnorhina tibicen)

Woodswallows (Artamidae)

White-breasted Woodswallow [sp] (Artamus leucorynchus)

Black-faced Woodswallow [sp] (Artamus cinereus)

Cuckooshrikes (Campephagidae)

Ground Cuckooshrike (Coracina maxima)

Black-faced Cuckooshrike [sp] (Coracina novaehollandiae)

Black-faced Cuckooshrike [melanops] (Coracina novaehollandiae melanops)

White-bellied Cuckooshrike [sp] (Coracina papuensis)

White-bellied Cuckooshrike [hypoleuca] (Coracina papuensis hypoleuca)

Common Cicadabird [sp] (Coracina tenuirostris)

White-winged Triller (Lalage tricolor)

Varied Triller [sp] (Lalage leucomela)

Varied Triller [rufiventris] (Lalage leucomela rufiventris)

Sittellas (Neosittidae)

White-winged Sittella (Daphoenositta chrysoptera leucoptera)

Whistlers and Allies (Pachycephalidae)

Rufous Whistler [sp] (Pachycephala rufiventris)

Rufous Whistler [falcata] (Pachycephala rufiventris falcata)

Little Shrikethrush [sp] (Colluricincla megarhyncha)

Little Shrikethrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha parvula)

Grey Shrikethrush [sp] (Colluricincla harmonica)

Brown Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica brunnea)

Sandstone Shrikethrush (Colluricincla woodwardi)

Crested Bellbird [sp] (Oreoica gutturalis)

Old World Orioles (Oriolidae)

Australasian Figbird [sp] (Sphecotheres vieilloti)

Australasian Figbird [ashbyi] (Sphecotheres vieilloti ashbyi)

Olive-backed Oriole [sp] (Oriolus sagittatus)

Olive-backed Oriole [affinis] (Oriolus sagittatus affinis)

Green Oriole [sp] (Oriolus flavocinctus)

Green Oriole [flavocinctus] (Oriolus flavocinctus flavocinctus)

Drongos (Dicruridae)

Spangled Drongo [sp] (Dicrurus bracteatus)

Spangled Drongo [baileyi] (Dicrurus bracteatus baileyi)

Fantails (Rhipiduridae)

Willie Wagtail [sp] (Rhipidura leucophrys)

Northern Fantail [sp] (Rhipidura rufiventris)

Grey Fantail [sp] (Rhipidura albiscapa)

Grey Fantail [albicauda] (Rhipidura albiscapa albicauda)

Monarch Flycatchers (Monarchidae)

Magpie-lark [sp] (Grallina cyanoleuca)

Magpie-lark [neglecta] (Grallina cyanoleuca neglecta)

Leaden Flycatcher [sp] (Myiagra rubecula)

Leaden Flycatcher [concinna] (Myiagra rubecula concinna)

Shining Flycatcher [sp] (Myiagra alecto)

Shining Flycatcher [melvillensis] (Myiagra alecto melvillensis)

Paperbark Flycatcher (Myiagra nana)

Crows and Jays (Corvidae)

Torresian Crow [sp] (Corvus orru)

Australian Crow (Corvus orru cecilae)

Little Crow (Corvus bennetti)

White-winged Chough and Apostlebird (Corcoracidae)

Apostlebird [sp] (Struthidea cinerea)

Apostlebird [dalyi] (Struthidea cinerea dalyi)

Australasian Robins (Petroicidae)

Hooded Robin [sp] (Melanodryas cucullata)

Hooded Robin [westralensis] (Melanodryas cucullata westralensis)

Jacky Winter [sp] (Microeca fascinans)

Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii)

Swallows and Martins (Hirundinidae)

Welcome Swallow [sp] (Hirundo neoxena)

Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel)

Tree Martin [sp] (Petrochelidon nigricans)

Reed warblers and allies (Acrocephalidae)

Australian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus australis)

Grassbirds and allies (Locustellidae)

Little Grassbird [sp] (Megalurus gramineus)

Spinifexbird (Megalurus carteri)

Cisticolas and Allies (Cisticolidae)

Zitting Cisticola [sp] (Cisticola juncidis)

Golden-headed Cisticola [sp] (Cisticola exilis)

White-Eyes (Zosteropidae)

Canary White-eye [balstoni] (Zosterops luteus balstoni)

Flowerpeckers (Dicaeidae)

Mistletoebird [sp] (Dicaeum hirundinaceum)

Mistletoebird [hirundinaceum] (Dicaeum hirundinaceum hirundinaceum)

Waxbills, Munias and Allies (Estrildidae)

Crimson Finch [sp] (Neochmia phaeton)

Long-tailed Finch [sp] (Poephila acuticauda)

Zebra Finch [sp] (Taeniopygia guttata)

Double-barred Finch [sp] (Taeniopygia bichenovii)

Yellow-rumped Mannikin (Lonchura flaviprymna)

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin [sp] (Lonchura castaneothorax)

Pipits and Wagtails (Motacillidae)

Australian Pipit [rogersi] (Anthus australis rogersi)