Read an Excerpt
Birds and Animals of Australia's Top End
Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine, and Kununurra
By Nick Leseberg, Iain Campbell PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS
Copyright © 2015 Nick Leseberg and Iain Campbell
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-691-16146-4
CHAPTER 1
Birds of Wetlands and Beaches
* Magpie Goose [Anseranas semipalmata] [27 ½-39 in | 70-99 cm
These large geese can be found on wetlands anywhere across the Top End, but are most common around Darwin and on the floodplains of Kakadu NP. They are very social, usually seen in groups from just a few birds, up to flocks of thousands, and are most often found grazing on grassy areas around the margins of billabongs and lagoons. Magpie Geese can also be seen swimming and foraging among floating vegetation, sometimes upending and using their hooked bills to collect Water Chestnut bulbs from the mud below the water surface. They were a popular food source for Aborigines, and the managed harvest of some eggs and also adult birds is still permitted. As the dry-season progresses and wetlands dry up, Magpie Geese seek refuge on remaining lagoons and this is when large congregations are most likely to occur. After the wet-season the geese breed, usually in family groups of three birds, with a male and two females building a nest and sharing the duties of incubating the eggs and raising the chicks. Easily recognised, these large black-and-white birds are often seen in pairs or threes, and you can usually identify the male by his larger size and a larger knob on top of his head.
* Plumed Whistling-duckDendrocygna eytoni 16-23 ½ in | 40-60 cm
Plumed Whistling-ducks tend to be more common than Wandering Whistling-ducks, and also more likely to be seen in large flocks. They are quite noisy, and as you get close to a group you will hear them start twittering and chattering excitedly. They move around searching for wetlands, often at night when you may hear their thin whistles – "wee-whew, wee-whew" – as they pass overhead in the dark. Plumed Whistling-ducks are pale brown, with darker brown wings and a white throat. The sides of the breast are chestnut, and they have distinctive tufts of long, stiff, pale cream feathers that grow from their flanks.
A good feature to separate them from the similar Wandering Whistling-duck is the colour of the bill and legs: those of Plumed Whistling-ducks are pink, whereas in Wandering Whistling-ducks they are black.
* Wandering Whistling-duckDendrocygnaarcuata 19 ½-23 ½ in | 50-60 cm
Wandering Whistling-ducks are most often found in small groups of twos or threes scattered across a wetland, but if you find a large flock of Plumed Whistling-ducks, examine it carefully as you will often find a smaller group of Wandering Whistling-ducks mixed in, or sitting at the edge of the flock. Quite similar to Plumed Whistling-duck, Wandering Whistling-ducks have a more chestnut-coloured body and neck, with a black crown and back of the neck, and very dark brown wings. They also have cream-coloured flank plumes, but these are much shorter and less obvious. A good way of separating the two species is to check the colour of the bill and legs: they are black in Wandering Whistlingduck but pink in Plumed Whistling-duck.
* Radjah ShelduckTadorna radjah 19 ½-23 ½ in | 50-60 cm
This striking duck is quite common across the Top End and can turn up on any body of water, particularly in the early dry-season when pairs may be found even on the smallest pool. Unlike most other ducks, it can tolerate brackish water, and is sometimes seen resting on sand bars at the beach or flying along mangrove-lined rivers. Radjah Shelduck is very easy to identify, having a white head, neck and body, dark chestnut wings and a distinctive chestnut breast-band.
* Australasian Grebe
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae 9-10 in | 23-25 cm
Most permanent wetlands across the Top End have a few resident pairs of this grebe, and they can sometimes even turn up on very small wetlands such as farm ponds. They are nearly always seen swimming, like a little rubber duck, on open water or among floating vegetation, and spend much of their time diving for food below the surface. When breeding, usually later in the year, they develop a chestnut patch on the side of the neck and a small yellow spot near the bill.
* Green Pygmy-goose
Nettapus pulchellus 12 ½-15 in | 32-38 cm
These lovely little geese can be found on most permanent wetlands across the Top End, where they are usually seen in pairs swimming among floating vegetation such as water-lilies. Pygmygeese have glossy green wings and fine scalloping on the breast and belly. Males have a glossy green neck and head with a white cheek patch, while females have a finely barred neck, white cheek patch and dark crown.
* HardheadITLAythya australis 17-19 ½ in | 43-50 cm (White-eyed Duck)
A nomadic species that may occur on any wetland at any time, it is more often seen on large wetlands with open water such as dams than other waterfowl. Like Grey Teal and Pacific Black Duck, this species is most common in the region during the dry-season, although some birds are present year-round. Unlike most Australian ducks which feed at the surface of the water, the Hardhead often dives, feeding on aquatic vegetation and invertebrates in the muddy substrate. The body and head are deep-chestnut in colour, with white under the tail. The underwings and belly are white but this is only seen when the bird flies. Males have distinctive white eyes, hence the alternative common name.
* Pacific Black DuckAnas superciliosa
18 ½-23 ½ in | 47-60 cm
This is one of Australia's most common ducks, and the familiar duck of urban pools and ponds, where birds often become accustomed to being fed. Most wetlands throughout Australia hold at least a few pairs, and although not as common in the Top End as in the eastern states, it may still be found on any wetland. It is most often seen in pairs or small groups, but rarely gathers in large flocks like other species of duck. Although present year-round, it is most common during the dry-season, with some birds moving out of the region during the wet-season, presumably migrating to southern Australia. Despite its name, this duck is actually brown and has a buff face and throat, with a dark brown cap, and a dark brown line through the eye.
* Grey TealAnas gracilis 16 ½-17 ½ in | 42-44 cm
This nomadic species may turn up on any wetland across the Top End, but is most often found during the dry-season. A few birds sometimes remain during the wet-season, but most leave the region around November before returning around the middle of the year. Usually found in pairs or small groups, this species can be seen loafing on the edge of a lagoon, or swimming close to the shore, feeding on aquatic vegetation and invertebrates they collect from on or just below the surface. It is a small duck and males and females are identical. The body and head is brownish-grey, with feathers on the breast edged pale brown, giving a scalloped appearance. The face and throat are silvery-grey.
* Black-necked StorkEphippiorhynchus asiaticus 43 ½-53 in | 110-135 cm (Jabiru)
These stately birds are one of the Top End's iconic species, and seeing them is always a highlight of any trip to the region. They are found right across the Top End, usually on larger lagoons, billabongs and wetlands, but they do sometimes turn up on smaller, isolated ponds or streams. They are commonly called 'Jabiru', a name which is mistakenly assumed to be Aboriginal, but is actually of Brazilian origin. 'Jabiru' is the name of a very similar bird that lives in South America, and which was somehow appropriated for this species, presumably by early explorers who had seen the South American species. Many large permanent wetlands have a resident pair of Black-necked Storks, and they are often seen wading around in the shallows, or on open plains near water, searching for fish, frogs, reptiles and other prey. Their nest is a large platform of sticks in the top of a tall tree. These huge birds are unmistakable, standing more than 4 feet tall, on long, bright red legs. The long neck, head and huge bill are glossy black, with a bluish sheen if seen in good light. Younger birds are dull brown instead of black. It is possible to tell the males and females apart: female birds have a yellow eye, whereas males have a dark eye.
* Australian Pied Cormorant
Phalacrocorax varius 25 ½-33 ½ in | 65-85 cm
Usually seen sitting on rocks by the coast or on trees by large rivers, this species is the least common cormorant in the Top End. It is much larger than Little Pied Cormorant, and similar in being black above and white below, but has a longer, more slender bill. If seen well, you will notice a small patch of yellow skin between the bill and the blue eye-ring.
* Little Pied Cormorant
Microcarbo melanoleucos 21 ½-24in | 55-61 cm
Common right across the Top End, these little cormorants can be found on almost any body of water, however large or small, from the coast, to small billabongs or farm ponds. They are often seen sitting in a tree beside the water, sometimes holding their wings out to dry. Like the Australian Pied Cormorant, they are black above and white below but have a relatively small, yellow bill.
* Little Black CormorantPhalacrocoraxsulcirostris 21-25 ½ in | 53-65 cm
These birds are usually seen swimming low in the water, diving below the surface to catch small fish. They also perch on waterside snags, holding their wings out to dry after a bout of fishing. Unlike other cormorants, they regularly form small flocks and may fish cooperatively, moving across the water as a group, continually diving and herding fish before them. If you see them well, you should be able to make out the jade-green eye.
* Great CormorantPhalacrocoraxcarbo 31 ½-33 ½ in | 80-85 cm
In the Top End, this bird is much less common than Little Black and Little Pied Cormorants, and is usually seen singly or in small groups around larger bodies of water, from the coast inland to large rivers and dams. Similar to the smaller Little Black Cormorant but much larger, it has a yellow patch of skin around the base of the bill, and usually a pale throat.
* Australasian DarterAnhinga novaehollandiae 34-37 in | 86-94 cm
Common across the Top End, these birds prefer large, usually shallow wetlands. They are most often seen swimming on the surface and repeatedly diving for fish, or sitting on a snag by the water, holding their wings out to dry after a bout of fishing. When swimming, they sit very low in the water, with their body completely submerged, showing just a long, skinny neck above the surface, usually with the bill pointing upwards. They are well equipped for their essentially aquatic lifestyle, with large, webbed feet that they use to propel themselves underwater as they search for prey. Skilful hunters, they bring any fish they catch to the surface, flipping it around in their bill so it can be swallowed head-first – a process that can be quite amusing to watch, particularly if it is a large fish. Large and bulky with a long, thin neck, small head and a dagger-like yellow bill, males are black with white streaks on the wings, a chestnut patch on the neck, and a white stripe on the side of the head. Females are similar but browner, and whitish below. Darters are often seen soaring on thermals overhead, with their long neck, broad wings and long square-tipped tail giving them a distinctive triangular silhouette.
* Australian PelicanPelecanus conspicillatus 63-71 in | 160-180cm
This iconic and unmistakable Australian species is usually common across the Top End, where it is found around the coast, and also on larger wetlands, billabongs and rivers. The lower half of the huge pink bill can expand, and the bird uses this when feeding, lunging forward and plunging the bill into the water, scooping up a huge volume of water containing, hopefully, a few fish. Birds sometimes fish communally, working together to herd fish into shallow water where they are easier to catch. Pelicans become accustomed to being fed, and will often gather around fish-cleaning stations, gobbling up scraps and competing aggressively for the loot with other pelicans and Silver Gulls (page 72).
* Plumed EgretArdea plumifera (Intermediate Egret) 21 ½-27 ½ in | 55-70 cm
Common on freshwater wetlands and billabongs across the Top End, this species, like Great Egret, is usually seen foraging in the shallows. It is smaller and stockier than the Great Egret and has a stouter neck that is about the same length as the body. The bill is yellow, but may be orange if the bird is breeding, when it will also have a tuft of long, thin plumes on the back and breast.
* Cattle EgretBubulcus ibis 19 ½-21 ½ in | 50-55 cm
A relatively recent arrival to Australia, this species was not recorded regularly until the 1950s. Since then it has spread across the continent, and is now quite common in the Top End. As the name suggests, it is almost always found around cattle, following them in paddocks or congregating around cattle yards. The Cattle Egret is quite stocky for an egret, similar to Plumed Egret but smaller. In breeding plumage it develops orange or buffy plumes on the head, breast and back.
* Great EgretArdea alba 33-41 in | 84-104 cm
Common on wetlands, billabongs, rivers and sometimes the coast, right across the Top End, this bird is usually seen foraging stealthily in the shallows. It is the largest of the 'white' egrets and is pure white with a yellow bill and dark legs. It is also the most slender, having a very long neck, much longer than the body, which forms a clear 'S'-shape when relaxed.
Little EgretEgretta garzetta 21 ½-25 ½ in | 55-65 cm
This small egret is fairly common across the Top End, where it is found around the coast, and also on wetlands, billabongs and rivers. It seems to prefer more open areas than the other 'white' egrets, often being seen on open mudflats or beaches. It is also much more active than other egrets, and rather than feeding stealthily, birds sometimes rush around, often with wings flapping, chasing fish and other prey. It is a small, slender egret and can be told from the other species by the combination of black legs and bill. It also has yellow skin around the eye, and often two single plumes on the back of the head.
* Great-billed HeronArdea sumatrana 39 ½-43 ½ in | 1100-110cm
This bird is famously shy and very difficult to see well. It is found along large rivers, both brackish and freshwater, usually in areas with thick vegetation such as mangroves or gallery forest, where it keeps well hidden. It is a large, grey heron with a long, thick neck, large black dagger-like bill and relatively short legs.
* White-faced HeronEgretta novaehollandiae 26-26 ½ in | 66-67 cm
Common throughout Australia, this heron may turn up wherever there is water, fresh or brackish, along the coast and rivers, and around wetlands, whether large or small. It is often seen stalking gracefully along the water's edge, but is just as likely to be seen feeding on open ground such as urban parks or playing fields. A small, slim heron, it has a grey body and neck, and a white mask around the face.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Birds and Animals of Australia's Top End by Nick Leseberg, Iain Campbell. Copyright © 2015 Nick Leseberg and Iain Campbell. Excerpted by permission of PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
