Finding Australian Birds

A Field Guide to Birding Locations

Tim Dolby, Rohan Clarke

• Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9780643097667
• eBook ISBN: 9781486300853
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Hospitality, Travel & Tourism Industry
• Index: Biological Sciences

Finding Australian Birds is a guide to the special birds found across Australia's vastly varied landscapes. From the eastern rainforests to central deserts, Australia is home to some 900 species of birds. This book covers over 400 Australian bird watching sites conveniently grouped into the best birding areas, from one end of the country to the other. This includes areas such as Kakadu in the Top End and rocky gorges in the central deserts of the Northern Territory, the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, rainforests distributed along the eastern Australian seaboard, some of the world's tallest forests in Tasmania, the Flinders Ranges and deserts along the iconic Strzelecki and Birdsville Tracks in South Australia, and the mallee temperate woodlands and spectacular coastlines in both Victoria and south west Western Australia.

Each chapter begins with a brief description of the location, followed by a section on where to find the birds, which describes specific birdwatching sites within the location's boundaries, and information on accommodation and facilities. The book also provides a comprehensive 'Bird Finding Guide', listing all of Australia's birds with details on their abundance and where exactly to see them.

Of value to both Australian birdwatchers and international visitors, this book will assist novices, birders of intermediate skill and keen 'twitchers' to find any Australian species.

Annotated bird list of Australia and its territories

This section is a cross-referencing tool, linking a list of Australian birds with individual recommended sites referred to elsewhere in the book. In the list, broad site locations are given that mostly correspond with section headers. For example, if a bird is listed as occurring at Sturt NP, NSW, you can then turn to the site information for Sturt National Park to find more information on where you may find that bird at that site. As general rule, the places mentioned in the list below relate directly to a sites covered in the book. All sites have been indexed. For the more common and wide-ranging species, locations are not given, because you would expect to encounter them readily in their preferred habitat. Including vagrant and accidental records, ∼900 species of bird have been recorded in Australia. Note that the abbreviated state name appears in brackets before all specific locations within that state.

Status

•Common: considerable numbers of individuals are usually present in their preferred habit and as such they are generally easily encountered.

•Moderately common (Mod common): moderate numbers of individuals are present in their preferred habit and individuals should be encountered on many, but not all, visits.

•Uncommon: small numbers of birds are present in their preferred habitat and generally the species is not readily located. Note that some species can be both uncommon yet encountered frequently at a small number of very specific sites.

•Rare: very small numbers of birds are present in their preferred habitat, and often requires a targeted effort to encounter the species. Again some species can be both rare yet encountered frequently at a small number of very specific sites.

•Introduced: bird species living outside their native distributional range.

•Vagrant: accidental records for Australia or to particular states.

Abbreviations

ACT = Australian Capital Territory, Aust = Australia, BG = Botanical Garden, BR = Bushland Reserve, c = central, CA = Conservation Area, CP = Conservation Park (or Coastal Park in Vic), CR = Conservation Reserve, e = east, FFR = Flora and Fauna Reserve, FR = Flora Reserve, GR = Game Reserve, Is. = Island, Mt = Mount, n = north, NP = National Park, NR = Nature Reserve, NRA = Nature Recreation Area, NSW = New South Wales, NT = Northern Territory, OIT = Offshore island territory, Qld = Queensland, R = Reserve, RP = Regional Park, s = south, SA = South Australia, SF = State Forest, SP = State Park, ssp. = subspecies, Tas = Tasmania, Uni = University, Vic = Victoria, w = west, WA = Western Australia.

Residents and regular visitors

Ostrich (Struthio camelus). Introduced. Rare. Grassland and open woodland. Small feral population (SA) Mt Arden Station; (NSW) Moama–Barham Rd near Deniliquin. Long-term provenance of NSW population not established.

Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius). Uncommon n Qld. Rainforest. (Qld) Cassowary House, Daintree, Mt Hypipamee NP, Mission Beach, Paluma Range NP.

Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). Common s Aust, rare to uncommon n Aust. Grassland and open woodland. (NT) Yellow Water, Caranbirini CR, Mereenie Loop Rd, Uluru-Kata Tjuta NP; (Qld) Lakefield NP, Mareeba Wetlands, Bladensburg NP, Bowra, Gulf Developmental Rd, Currawinya NP, Coolmunda Dam, Girraween NP; (NSW/ACT) Clarence River Estuary, Tidbinbilla NR, Kosciusko NP, Warrumbungle NP, Munghorn Gap, Round Hill CR, Mutawintji NP, Sturt NP, Kinchega NP; (Vic) Hattah-Kulkyne NP, Wyperfeld NP, Little Desert NP, Portland; (SA) Innes NP, Coorong NP, Gluepot; (WA) Purnululu (Bungle Bungles) NP, Shark Bay, Cue, Kalbarri NP, Sandford Rocks NR, Fitzgerald River NP, Wave Rock, Donnelly River, Lake McLarty NR.

Australian Brush-turkey (Alectura lathami). Common e Aust. Rainforest. Two distinct ssp.: Blue-wattled ssp. purpureicollis n Cape York, lathami remainder of range. (Qld) Mt Hypipamee NP, Lamington NP, Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) NP; (NSW) Dharug NP, Ku-ring-gai Chase NP; (SA) Feral population Kangaroo Is.

Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata). Rare Mallee woodland s Aust. (NSW) Round Hill NR, Nombinnie NR; (Vic) Wyperfeld NP, Hattah-Kulkyne NP, Murray-Sunset NP, Little Desert NP, Bronzewing FFR; (SA) Innes NP, Coorong NP, Gluepot R, Danggali CP, Billiatt CP, Lake Gilles CP, Yanerbie Beach, Yumbarra CP, Mamungari CP; (WA) Dragon Rocks NR, Fitzgerald River NP, Cape Arid NP, Sandford Rocks NR, Eyre Bird Observatory, Shark Bay, Kalbarri NP.

Orange-footed Scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt). Common n Aust. Rainforest, monsoon forest. (NT) Darwin BG, Charles Darwin Uni, Buffalo Creek, East Point, Holmes Jungle NR, Howard Springs, Fogg Dam, Tiwi Is.; (Qld) Kingfisher Park, Cape Hillsborough NP; (WA) Mitchell River NP; (OIT) Torres Strait Is.

California Quail (Callipepla californica). Introduced. Feral populations (Tas) King Is; (OIT) Norfolk Is.

Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis). Common Farmland, grassland.

Brown Quail (Coturnix ypsilophora). Common Grassland, open woodland, wetlands. (NT) Pine Creek, Charles Darwin NP, Leanyer Sewage Ponds, Elsey NP, Abattoir Swamp; (Qld) Yungaburra, Lockyer Valley, Townsville Common, Kedron Brook Wetlands, Oxley Creek Common, Eagleby Wetlands, Lake Samsonvale, Lake Dyer, Inskip Point; (NSW) Ash Is., Crowdy Bay NP, Centennial Park, Royal NP, Barren Grounds NR, Fivebough Wetlands, Lake Cargelligo; (Vic) Cape Liptrap CP, Croajingolong NP, Wilsons Promontory NP, Lake Mokoan; (Tas) Peter Murrell R, Strahan, Waterhouse CA; (SA) Bool Lagoon, Mary Seymour CP, Messent CP, Robe; (WA) Parry Lagoons NR, Broome, Purnululu (Bungle Bungles) NP, Esperance, Lake Muir NR.

King Quail (Excalfactoria chinensis). Uncommon n Aust, rare s Aust. Grassland, heathland. (NT) Holmes Jungle NR, Pine Creek Treatment Plant; (Qld) Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) NP, Great Sandy NP, Lake Samsonvale.

Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus). Introduced. Feral populations: (SA) Kangaroo Is.; (Tas) King Is., Flinders Is.; (WA) formerly Rottnest Is.

Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus). Introduced. Feral populations Christmas Is. and Norfolk Is.

Green Junglefowl (Gallus varius). Introduced Cocos Keeling Is.

Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). Introduced. (Tas) King Is., Flinders Is. (WA) Rottnest Is.

Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Introduced Feral populations: (SA) Kangaroo Is.; (Tas) King Is., Flinders Is.

Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata). Common n Aust, uncommon s Aust. Wetlands. (NT) Holmes Jungle NR, Howard Springs, Knuckey Lagoon, Fogg Dam, Mamukala Wetlands, Yellow Water; (Qld) Lotus Bird Lodge wetland, Centenary Lakes, Magnetic Is., Lake Mitchell, Hasties Swamp, Townsville Common, Tyto Wetlands, Horseshoe Lagoon, Tinchi Tamba Wetlands, Eagleby Wetlands, Lake Clarendon, Lake Dyer; (NSW/ACT) Hunter Wetland Centre, Macquarie Marshes, Fivebough Wetlands, Tidbinbilla NR; (Vic) Deen Maar, Reedy Lake, Serendip Sanctuary, Western Treatment Plant; (SA) Bool Lagoon; (WA) Lake Argyle, Kununurra, Parry Lagoons NR.

Spotted Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna guttata). Rare Cape York. Wetlands. (Qld) First observed in Australian in 1995 at Weipa where now regular. Also Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) NP and n Torres Strait.

Plumed Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna eytoni). Common n and e Aust, uncommon s Aust. Wetlands, grasslands near water. (NT) Leanyer Sewage Ponds, Mamukala Wetlands, Yellow Water, Anbangbang Billabong, Murill Billabong; (Qld) Half Moon Bay Wetland, Cumberland Dam, Winton Treatment Works, Lake Bindegolly, Currawinya Lakes, Yorkeys Knob, Wolframite Dam, Lake Mitchell, Hasties Swamp, Lake Tinaroo, Tyto Wetlands, Townsville Common, Mackay Regional BG, Winton Treatment Works, Sawpits Waterhole, Lake Bindegolly, Currawinya NP, Eagleby Wetlands, Lockyer Valley; (NSW) Fivebough Wetlands, Macquarie Marshes, Carmel Lagoon, Fivebough Wetlands, South Myers Tank; (Vic) Lake Mokoan; (SA) Bool Lagoon, Koonchera Waterhole; (WA) Lake Argyle, Parry Lagoons NR, Broome, Derby, Kununurra.

Wandering Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna arcuata) Common n Aust. Wetlands, grasslands near water. (NT) Leanyer Sewage Ponds, Howard Springs, Fogg Dam, Mamukala Wetlands, Yellow Water, Anbangbang Billabong, Angurugu Sewage Pond; (Qld) Lakefield NP, Lotus Bird Lodge, Weipa, Keating’s Lagoon, Lake Moondarra, Centenary Lakes, Half Moon Bay Wetland, Cattana Wetlands, Yorkeys Knob, Wolframite Dam, Lake Mitchell, Mareeba Wetlands, Hasties Swamp, Tyto Wetlands, Townsville Common, Mackay Regional BG, Lake Moondarra, Eagleby Wetlands, Lockyer Valley; (NSW) Hunter Wetland Centre; (WA) Parry Lagoons NR, Kununurra.

Musk Duck (Biziura lobata). Common s Aust. Wetlands. (Qld) Seven Mile Lagoon, Lake Clarendon, Lake Atkinson, Coolmunda Dam; (NSW) Fivebough Wetlands, Lake Cargelligo, Centennial Park; (Vic) Hattah Lakes, Lake Boga, Hird Swamp, Chiltern Valley Number Dams, Lake Mokoan, Western Treatment Plant, Macleod Morass; (SA) Dry Creek Saltfields, Buckland Park, Goolwa, Murray Lagoon, Duck Lagoon, Bool Lagoon, Mungerannie Waterhole, Big Swamp; (WA) Carnarvon, Nallan Lake, Rowles Lagoon, Lake Warden, Vasse-Wonnerup Estuary, Lake McLarty NR, Herdsman Lake.

Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa). Rare, nomadic. Wetlands. (NT) Alice Springs Waste Stabilisation Ponds; (Qld) Lake Moondarra, Lake Bindegolly, Lake Wyara, Wolframite Dam, Lake Atkinson; (NSW) Hunter Wetland Centre, Macquarie Marshes, Fivebough Wetlands; (Vic) Hattah Lakes, Round Lake, Lake Boga, Chiltern Valley Dams, Lake Lorne, Western Treatment Plant, Macleod Morass; (SA) Dry Creek Saltfields, Buckland Park, Goolwa Effluent Ponds, Murray Lagoon, Duck Lagoon, Bool Lagoon, Coongie Lakes, Koonchera Waterhole; (WA) Herdsman Lake, Lake McLarty, Lake Muir, Lake Warden, Rowles Lagoon.

Cape Barren Goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae). Uncommon s Aust. Coastal wetlands, coastal grassland, islands: (Vic) Shallow Inlet, Corner Inlet, Phillip Is., Western Treatment Plant; (SA) Hindmarsh Is., Kangaroo Is., Bool Lagoon, Coorong NP, Big Swamp, Coffin Bay NP; (Tas) Pitt Water NR, Maria Is., Flinders Is., Waterhouse CA, Bass Strait Is.; (WA) Cape Arid NP, Woody Island NR, Lake Warden.

Black Swan (Cygnus atratus). Common. Wetlands.

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor). First introduced 1886. Feral population: (WA) Avon River, Northam.

Radjah Shelduck (Tadorna radjah). Mod common n Aust. Wetlands. (NT) Darwin BG, Leanyer Sewage Ponds, Howard Springs, Fogg Dam, Mamukala Wetlands, Yellow Water, Murill Billabong, Pine Creek Treatment Plant, Victoria River, Angurugu Sewage Pond; (Qld) Mungo Brush, Lakefield, Lotus Bird Lodge Wetland, Weipa, Normanton, Daintree River, Daintree Saltwater Barramundi Farm; (WA) Lake Argyle, Kununurra, Parry Lagoons NR.

Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides). Common s Aust. Wetlands.

Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata). Common. Wetlands, grassland, open woodland, farmland, golf courses.

Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus). Mod common, nomadic. Wetlands.

Cotton Pygmy-Goose (Nettapus coromandelianus). Uncommon Qld. Wetlands. (Qld) Lake Moondarra, Cumberland Dam, Yorkeys Knob, Skyrail Wetlands, Lake Mitchell, Keating’s Lagoon, Mareeba, Nardellos Lagoon, Hasties Swamp, Lake Tinaroo, Tyto Wetlands, Townsville Common, Mackay Regional BG, Lake Clarendon, Adare Rd Lagoon.

Green Pygmy-Goose (Nettapus pulchellus). Common n Aust. Wetlands. (NT) Fogg Dam, Mamukala, Yellow Water, Anbangbang Billabong; (Qld) Lakefield, Lotus Bird Lodge wetland, Lockhart River Treatment Plant, Weipa, Cumberland Dam, Lake Moondarra, Yorkeys Knob, Cattana Wetlands, Skyrail Wetlands, Wolframite Dam, Lake Mitchell, Mareeba, Nardellos Lagoon, Hasties Swamp, Tyto Wetlands, Townsville Common; (WA) Lake Argyle, Kununurra, Parry Lagoons NR, Roebuck Plains.

Garganey (Anas querquedula). Rare summer migrant to n Aust. Wetlands. Records from: (NT) Leanyer and Palmerston Sewage Ponds; (Qld) Weipa; (WA) Parry Lagoons NR, Derby.

Australasian Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis). Mod common s Aust. Wetlands. (Qld) Lake Bindegolly, Currawinya Lakes, Lake Atkinson, Coolmunda Dam; (NSW/ACT) P...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Photo credits
• Introduction
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory
• Victoria
• Tasmania
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Offshore islands and territories
• Annotated bird list of Australia and its territories
• Further reading
• Useful resources, contacts and birdwatching groups
• Index of bird common names
• Index of place names