Waterbirds & Waders
Australia is the driest continent on earth, which has resulted in many of the 19 waterfowls found on the continent to develop a mystical ability to know where rainfall has occurred across vast distances. One of the largest gathering of waterfowl occurs at Kakadu National Park, where immense numbers of Magpie Geese and Plumed, Wandering and Spotted Whistling Ducks breed in the extensive swamps. Although most birds are monogamous, the male Magpie Goose may have multiple mates, all of which may lay eggs in the same nest.
Kakadu and Far North Queenland also offers the opportunity to see Great Egrets, Royal Spoonbills, Black-winged Stilts, Great Billed Herons, Black-necked Storks (locally known as the Jabirus), and Comb-crested Jacanas, with their extraordinary long toes for walking on waterlily pads. One of the most famous meeting rituals in the bird kingdom occurs in Spring, as Brolgas gather in the wetlands across the region. The courtship dance of the Brolga is an elaborate and majestic event, involving strutting, head-bobbing and bowing, with the mate bowing in return.
The Cape Barren Goose is native to Australia and is also known for its courtship dance, where the birds walk in circles and bow to each other. They can be spotted in great numbers on Kangaroo Island and Maria Island. Black Swans, Grey Teals, Mallards and the Australian Grebe are abundant around the coastal areas, with the Grebe note for building floating nests from waterweed. Darters are also widespread around mainland Australia and because of its water-absorbent feathers, spends much time perched spreading out it’s wings.
Australia is a critical sanctuary and feeding ground for a number of migratory waders that fly from the northern hemisphere to escape the harsh winter along the East Asian - Australasian Flyway. The wetlands across Far North Queensland, Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, Eyre Peninsula, East Gippsland and the Great Ocean Road provide opportunity to spot migrants such as Eastern Curlews, Curlew Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, Red-necked Stints, Red Knots and Common Greenshanks.
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Southern Eyre Peninsula Birdwatching
From $1,090 USD
3 days/2 nights
Southern Eyre Peninsula Birdwatching
From $1,090 USD
3 days/2 nights
Home to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.
There are opportunities to observe waders and seabirds including Little Pied and Black Cormorants, Grey and Chestnut Teal Ducks, Pink Eared... -
1 Day Birdwatching Mt Field National Park
From $479 USD
Day Tour - Tasmania
1 Day Birdwatching Mt Field National Park
From $479 USD
Day Tour - Tasmania
Mount Field National Park is the oldest in Tasmania and one of the most diverse. You will have the opportunity to try and spot 11 out of the 12 Tasmanian endemic species.
Highlights include the Tasmanian Native Hen, Scrubtit, Yellow Wattlebird, Black Currawong and Tasmanian Thornbill across this park featuring ... -
Daintree Exclusive
From $1,040 USD
Full Day
Daintree Exclusive
From $1,040 USD
Full Day
This full day tour focuses on the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park, the largest section of tropical rainforest in Australia and oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world. Guests will be mesmerised by the combination of waterfalls, mountain ranges, idyllic streams, deep gorges and dense rainforest, that makes this...
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Christmas Island Birdwatching
From $1,725 USD
8 days/7 nights
Christmas Island Birdwatching
From $1,725 USD
8 days/7 nights
Christmas Island is one of Australia's best birdwatching destinations. An internationally renowned seabird rookery, the island attracts about 80,000 nesting seabirds every year. You will have the opportunity to see the world's rarest booby and frigatebird!
There are 23 breeding or resident species of birds on Christmas Island, including nine...
Viewing opportunities that include waterbirds & waders
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January,February,December, East Gippsland
East Gippsland - Summer Birdwatching Opportunities
East Gippsland is a wonderful destination to visit during the summer months, particularly if you're on the lookout for birds. The region has an enormous diversity of birdlife. One of the main reasons for this diversity is the mix of habitat types, including Eucalyptus woodlands, temperate rainforests, agricultural areas, wetlands and coastal habitats, too.
Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours' Summer Highlights1. On the East Gippsland Wildlife Journey we stay in a homestead overlooking the Snowy River Valley at Orbost, and one of the highlights here is hearing the owls’ deep hoots from the accommodation, or finding them in one of their daytime roosts,” he says. “They just stare at you unflinchingly with their piercing golden eyes, and you realise you’re in the presence of a formidable predator.”
2. One of the most famous residents is the Satin Bowerbird, which nests until February, renowned for its practice of building and decorating a bower to attract females, with bright blue coloured objects.
3. Brilliantly coloured male Scarlet Honeyeaters migrate southward to East Gippsland in late spring and are scattered over the region following the nectar of Eucalypts and other large forest trees. Black-faced Monarchs are another migrant at this time, typically seen foraging for insects among foliage, or catching flying insects on the wing.
4. Flowering forest trees are irresistible to a variety of species including Red and Little Wattlebirds, Eastern Spinebills, New Holland, Yellow-faced, Tawny-crowned, Blue-faced and Crescent Honeyeaters.
Common summer sightings by bird group
Bushbirds Emu, Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing Parrots King Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Rainbow Lorikeet, Musk Lorikeet, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo Raptors White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle Seabirds Black-faced Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Short-tailed Shearwater Songbirds Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Eastern Whipbird, Flame Robins, Grey Shrike Thrush Waterbirds & Waders Great Egrets, Royal Spoonbills How to find these species
East Gippsland is a large region of Victoria, so although you will be able to find some of these species on your own as you visit various national parks, the best and most efficient way to tick these off your list is to join an expert tour guide. Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours have been operating in the region since 1993, so they know exactly where to go.
Suggested tour: East Gippsland Wildlife Journey
Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
Departs from: Melbourne
Venturing across East Gippsland’s magnificent lush rainforests, coastal heathlands, giant eucalypt groves, white sandy beaches and pristine rivers and estuaries, this four day immersive adventure offers you encounters with an incredible array of species.
Full Itinerary -
March,April,May, East Gippsland
One of the world’s most amazing songbirds, the Superb Lyrebird, is in full voice at this time. These birds reside in East Gippsland year round but early breeding season brings out their best. During May, males can be heard singing loudly from specially-constructed dancing mounds used to attract females. Males with complex songs featuring the largest number of mimicked sounds are successful breeders.
At this time of year it is normal to hear the lyrebird’s perfectly-imitated calls from Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Crimson Rosellas, Golden Whistlers, Pied Currawongs, Eastern Whipbirds and Laughing Kookaburras, all coming from the same location on the ground. Patience and a quiet approach will usually reveal a singing, dancing male Lyrebird with it’s remarkable lyre-shaped tail feathers.
Eastern Yellow Robins, Jacky Winters and Rose Robins can be seen at this time along with the Beautiful Firetail. Dusk and early evening provides the opportunity to see Australia’s largest owl species, the Powerful Owl, which preys upon animals such as possums, gliders and rodents.
Tours in East Gippsland related to Waterbirds & Waders
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September,October,November, East Gippsland
Australia has 12 native cuckoos and East Gippsland is home to six of these, all of which have distinctive songs. September and October in the forests of East Gippsland can be almost deafening with these calls including the piercing, repetitive whistle of the Shining Bronze Cuckoo, the rising trill of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo, the frenzied feminine squeal of the Brush Cuckoo and the high-pitched ‘chew’ of the Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo.
The springtime brings out beautiful wildflowers and flowering eucalypts, with Red and Little Wattlebirds, Eastern Spinebills, New Holland, Yellow-faced, Tawny-crowned, Blue-faced and Crescent Honeyeaters particularly active. It is also a peak time to see Eastern Yellow Robins, Scarlet Robins, Jacky Winters and the radiant pink breast of the slender Rose Robin.
Iridescent parrots are a magnificent sight flying across the lush forests of the region including the King Parrot, Crimson and Eastern Rosellas, Rainbow and Musk Lorikeets, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Galahs and the iconic Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. Beautifully coloured songbirds compete for the attention of visitors with the Crested Shrike Tit, Golden Whistler, Red-browed Finch, Beautiful Firetail, Mistletoe bird, Superb Fairy-wren and Spotted Pardalote ever popular.Tours in East Gippsland related to Waterbirds & Waders
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January,February,December, Eyre Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula - Summer Sightings by Bird Group
Bushbirds
Ratites: Emu | Kingfishers: Sacred Kingfisher | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo
Parrots
Parrots & Cockatoos: Galah, Rock Parrot, Port Lincoln Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Mulga Parrot, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo
Raptors
Hawks & Eagles: Osprey, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Swamp Harrier | Falcons: Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon
Seabirds
Gannets & Boobies: Australasia Gannet | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Pacific Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Pelicans: Australian Pelican
Songbirds
Honeyeaters: Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Blue-headed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Southern Emu-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Inland Thornbill | Robins: Southern Scrub-robin, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin | Whipbirds: Western Whipbird | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Western Whistler, Grey Strikethrush | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Willie-wagtail, Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Grey Currawong, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Dusky Woodswallow | Ravens & Crows: Australian Raven, Little Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers: Rufous Treecreeper | Babblers: White-browed Babbler | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow
Waterbirds & Waders
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Latham's Snipe | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover, Banded Plover, Grey Plover, Hooded Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron,Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Great Egret | Cranes & Relatives: Dusky Moorhen, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe
How to find these species
“Summer is the nesting season for Pied Oystercatchers, Hooded Dotterels, Red-capped Plovers so we explore several local beaches on the peninsula at this time, whilst keeping a lookout for the migratory Common Greenshank after their enormous flights from the Northern Hemisphere.
A visit to Big Swamp provides sanctuary for Black Swans, Grey Teal Ducks, Chestnut Teal Ducks, Pink Eared Ducks, Musk Ducks and Black Winged Stilts and at Mikkira and Lincoln National Park, Port Lincoln (Australian Ringneck) Parrots, Common Bronzewings, Striated Pardalotes, Spiney-Cheeked Honeyeaters and White-Browed Scrubwrens abundant. Pallid Cuckoos also migrate to the peninsula over the Summer."
Fran Solly, Birding Specialist Guide
Suggested Tour: Southern Eyre Peninsula Birdwatching
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private, Shared Departures available seasonallyHome to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.
Tours in Eyre Peninsula related to Waterbirds & Waders
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March,April,May, Eyre Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula - Autumn/Fall Sightings by Bird Group
Bushbirds Ratites: Emu | Kingfishers: Sacred Kingfisher | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon
Parrots Parrots & Cockatoos: Galah, Rock Parrot, Port Lincoln Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Mulga Parrot, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo Raptors Hawks & Eagles: Osprey, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Swamp Harrier | Falcons: Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon Seabirds Gannets & Boobies: | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Pacific Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Pelicans: Australian Pelican Songbirds Honeyeaters: Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Inland Thornbill | Robins: Southern Scrub-robin, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin | Whipbirds: Western Whipbird | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Western Whistler, Grey Strikethrush | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Willie-wagtail, Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Grey Currawong, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Dusky Woodswallow | Ravens & Crows: Australian Raven, Little Raven | Bowerbirds: | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Starlings: | Treecreepers: | Friarbirds: | Flowerpeckers: | Babblers: White-browed Babbler | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow
Waterbirds & Waders Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper| Stone Curlews: | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover, Banded Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Great Egret | Cranes & Relatives: Dusky Moorhen, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe
How to find these species
“A small flock of remnant Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos aggregate post breeding during the Autumn and Port Lincoln (Australian Ringneck) Parrots, Australian Magpies, Galahs, Red Wattlebirds, Black-Faced Cuckoo-shrikes, Masked Lapwings, Golden Whistlers and an occasional Scarlet Robin can be seen across Port Lincoln National Park and Mikkira.
It's always a joy to showcase the rugged cliffs along the Great Australian Bight to view Osprey and White Bellied Sea-Eagles along with other raptors including kites and Swamp Harriers. In beautiful Memory Cove, birds that may be encountered include Purple-Gaped Honeyeaters, Striated Pardalotes, Spiney-Cheeked Honeyeaters, Dusky Woodswallows, Western Yellow Robins, Blue-breasted Fairy-wrens and White-Browed Scrubwrens.
Fran Solly, Birding Specialist Guide
Suggested Tour: Southern Eyre Peninsula Birdwatching
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private, Shared Departures available seasonallyHome to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.
Tours in Eyre Peninsula related to Waterbirds & Waders
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June,July,August, Eyre Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula - Winter Sightings by Bird Group
Bushbirds Ratites: Emu | Kingfishers: Sacred Kingfisher | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon
Parrots Parrots & Cockatoos: Galah, Rock Parrot, Port Lincoln Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Mulga Parrot, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo Raptors Hawks & Eagles: Osprey, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Swamp Harrier | Falcons: Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon Seabirds Gannets & Boobies: | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Pacific Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Pelicans: Australian Pelican Songbirds Honeyeaters: Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Southern Emu-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Inland Thornbill | Robins: Southern Scrub-robin, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin | Whipbirds: Western Whipbird | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Western Whistler, Grey Strikethrush | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Willie-wagtail, Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Grey Currawong, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Dusky Woodswallow | Ravens & Crows: Australian Raven, Little Raven | Bowerbirds: | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Starlings: | Treecreepers: | Friarbirds: | Flowerpeckers: | Babblers: White-browed Babbler | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow
Waterbirds & Waders Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover, Banded Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Great Egret | Cranes & Relatives: Dusky Moorhen, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe
How to find these species
"We take guests out to Big Swamp over this season, to see a wide variety of waterbirds, with many commencing their nesting season. Black Swans, Grey Teal Ducks, Chestnut Teal Ducks, Pink Eared Ducks, Musk Ducks, Black Winged Stilts, Banded Plovers and Cape Barren Geese are all possible encounters.
Across Coffin Bay National Park, there are active Osprey and White-bellied Sea Eagle nests, with pairs often seen fishing along the cliffs and sandy white beaches. The area is also home to Caspian Terns, Hooded Plovers, Red Capped Plovers, Red Necked Stints, Golden Whistlers, Masked Lapwings, Emus and Wedge-tailed Eagles. There is also a chance to see the elusive Southern Emu-Wren and a remnant flock of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos."
Fran Solly, Birding Specialist Guide
Suggested Tour: Southern Eyre Peninsula Birdwatching
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private, Shared Departures available seasonallyHome to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.
Tours in Eyre Peninsula related to Waterbirds & Waders
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September,October,November, Eyre Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula - Spring Sightings by Bird Group
Bushbirds
Ratites: Emu | Kingfishers: Sacred Kingfisher | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo
Parrots
Parrots & Cockatoos: Galah, Rock Parrot, Port Lincoln Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Mulga Parrot, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo
Raptors
Hawks & Eagles: Osprey, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Swamp Harrier | Falcons: Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon
Seabirds
Gannets & Boobies: Australasia Gannet | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Pacific Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Pelicans: Australian Pelican
Songbirds
Honeyeaters: Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Blue-headed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Southern Emu-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Inland Thornbill, Weebill | Robins: Southern Scrub-robin, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin | Whipbirds: Western Whipbird | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Western Whistler, Grey Strikethrush | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Willie-wagtail, Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Grey Currawong, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Dusky Woodswallow | Ravens & Crows: Australian Raven, Little Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers: Rufous Treecreeper | Babblers: White-browed Babbler | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow
Waterbirds & Waders
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Latham's Snipe | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover, Banded Plover, Grey Plover, Hooded Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron,Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Great Egret | Cranes & Relatives: Dusky Moorhen, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe
How to find these species
"White-bellied Sea Eagles and Osprey nest along our spectacular coastal cliff habitats and rocky offshore islands, with young typically fledging late in Spring.
It's an amazing time to spot many of our bushbirds in the national parks, including Striated Pardalotes, Western Yellow Robins, Western Whistlers, White-Browed Babblers, Red Wattlebirds, Black-faced Cuckoo Shrikes, New Holland Honeyeaters, Brown-Headed Honey Eaters along with Port Lincoln and Rock Parrots. We also spend some time looking for some of the rarer species including Scarlet Robins, Diamond Firetails, Southern Emu-wrens and Western Whipbirds and the migratory Wood Sandpiper and Latham's Snipe."
Fran Solly, Birding Specialist Guide
Suggested Tour: Southern Eyre Peninsula Birdwatching
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private, Shared Departures available seasonallyHome to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.
Tours in Eyre Peninsula related to Waterbirds & Waders
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March,April,May, Kakadu & Arnhem Land
By the end of the northern tropical summer (locally known as the wet season), native speargrasses have grown up to three metres high, providing delectable seeds for Red-winged Parrots, Double-barred, Star, Crimson and Long-tailed Finches to feed upon. After their migration from southern areas, large flocks of Red-tailed Cockatoos can be heard screeching and flashing their vibrant banded tails over the woodlands as they migrate from southern areas in flocks of up to one hundred birds.
This is the time that various cuckoos are breeding including the Pheasant Coucal, known to build their nests up to two metres above the ground in low shrubs. White-bellied and Black-faced Cuckoo Shrikes are also prominent at this time, as is the Dollarbird that feeds on insects before making the flight to the islands of New Guinea to spend the winter.
There are numerous pigeons and doves that are active during the day foraging for seeds including the Bar-shouldered Dove, Peaceful Dove, Pied Imperial Pigeon and the small Diamond Dove.
Tours in Kakadu & Arnhem Land related to Waterbirds & Waders
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June,July,August, Kakadu & Arnhem Land
Magpie Geese are spread far and wide over the pristine floodplains at this time, having laid their eggs with a typical clutch of 5-14 eggs. Some males mate with two females, all of which raise the young, unlike other polygamous birds. White-bellied Sea Eagles, Brahminy and Whistling Kites target newly hatched chicks from the skies above, with the best opportunity to see their aerial skills at Bamurru Plains on an airboat ride.
Standing at over a metre tall, the Great Billed Heron is Australia’s largest heron and feeds in shallow water, spearing fish with its long, sharp bill. It will wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. The alluring Azure Kingfisher also waits patiently along the waterways on its fishing missions. Plumed Whistling, Wandering Whistling and Spotted Whistling Ducks all pluck on tropical grasses in between uttering their high pitched whistles. Other waterbirds popular with photographers across the swamps include the Royal Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis, which at the right angle, takes on a beautiful iridescent green and purple gloss.
Tours in Kakadu & Arnhem Land related to Waterbirds & Waders
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September,October,November, Kakadu & Arnhem Land
As the end of the dry season approaches, the shrinking floodplains bring together a higher concentration of waterbirds, providing excellent opportunities to spot Great Egrets, Royal Spoonbills, Black-winged Stilts and the Black-necked Storks (locally known as the Jabirus) with it’s amazing wingspan of over 2 metres.
One of the most famous meeting rituals in the bird kingdom is common at this time as Brolgas gather in the wetlands across the region. The courtship dance of the Brolga is an elaborate and majestic event, involving strutting, head-bobbing and bowing, with the mate bowing in return.
Known by a number of names including the Lotus bird and Jesus bird, the Comb-crested Jacana appears like it can walk on water at a distance, although it is really walking on waterlily pads and plants with it’s extraordinary long toes. The Blue-winged Kookaburra changes its diet with the drier conditions, to eat fish, crayfish, snakes, earthworms and small birds, as family groups defend their territory with great vigour.
Tours in Kakadu & Arnhem Land related to Waterbirds & Waders
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January,February,December, Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island - Common summer sightings by bird group
Bushbirds Laughing Kookaburra, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing Parrots Crimson Rosella, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Rock Parrot Raptors White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Osprey Seabirds Black-faced Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Short-tailed Shearwater, Crested Tern, Caspian Tern Songbirds Golden Whistler, Scarlet Robins, Grey Shrike-Thrush, Superb Fairy-wren, Brown Thornbill, Red Wattlebird, Crescent Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill Waterbirds & Waders Great Egret, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Royal Spoonbill, Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher, Hooded Plover, Freckled Duck, Black Swan How to find these species
“As natural water catchments dry up in the summer months, the Kangaroo Island's birds tend to congregate around fresh inland lagoons, and coastal marine esturaries, where food and water is more accessible. As Kangaroo Island locals, we have some secret locations where we can rely on encounters with Black Swans, Yellow-billed Spoonbills, Common Greenshanks and Freckled Ducks, to name a few."
Blair Wickham, Tour Guide
Suggested tour: Kangaroo Island Birding Tour (Wild About Birds)
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private only
Departs: On request
This three day Kangaroo Island birdwatching and wildlife tour is presented with an indicative itinerary. Opportunities vary throughout the year and each season is slightly different in terms of natural cycles. The experience delivered is customised according to the season and fine-tuned to meet the interests of guests once they arrive on the Island.
Full ItineraryTours in Kangaroo Island related to Waterbirds & Waders
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March,April,May, Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island - Common autumn/fall sightings by bird group
Bushbirds Laughing Kookaburra, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing Parrots Crimson Rosella, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Little Corella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet Raptors Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon, Swamp Harrier, Osprey Seabirds Australasian Gannet, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, Pacific Gull, Great Crested Tern, Caspian Tern Songbirds Superb Fairy-wren, Eastern Spinebill, Red Wattlebird, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Brown Thornbill, Striated Thornbill, Golden Whistler, Australian Magpie, Grey Currawong, Willie Wagtail, Australian Raven, Scarlet Robin Waterbirds & Waders Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Musk Duck, Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe, Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher, Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover, Common Greenshank, Ruddy Turnstone, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
How to find these species
"As the days begin to cool in Autumn/Fall, the endemic and endangered Kangaroo Island Glossy Black-Cockatoos begin selecting their nesting hollows in large Sugar Gums in preparation for their annual breeding season from April to June. Black Swamp in Flinders Chase National Park comes alive with activity as Cape Barron Geese also choose their nesting territories."
Blair Wickham, Tour Guide
Suggested tour: Kangaroo Island Birding Tour (Wild About Birds)
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private only
Departs: On request
This three day Kangaroo Island birdwatching and wildlife tour is presented with an indicative itinerary. Opportunities vary throughout the year and each season is slightly different in terms of natural cycles. The experience delivered is customised according to the season and fine-tuned to meet the interests of guests once they arrive on the Island.
Full Itinerary -
June,July,August, Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island - Common winter sightings by bird group
Bushbirds Laughing Kookaburra, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing Parrots Crimson Rosella, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Little Corella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet Raptors Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Osprey Seabirds Australasian Gannet, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, Pacific Gull, Great Crested Tern, Caspian Tern Songbirds Superb Fairy-wren, Eastern Spinebill, Red Wattlebird, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Brown Thornbill, Striated Thornbill, Golden Whistler, Australian Magpie, Grey Currawong, Willie Wagtail, Australian Raven, Scarlet Robin Waterbirds & Waders Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Musk Duck, Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe, Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher, Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover, Ruddy Turnstone
Suggested tour: Kangaroo Island Birding Tour (Wild About Birds)
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private only
Departs: On request
This three day Kangaroo Island birdwatching and wildlife tour is presented with an indicative itinerary. Opportunities vary throughout the year and each season is slightly different in terms of natural cycles. The experience delivered is customised according to the season and fine-tuned to meet the interests of guests once they arrive on the Island.
Full ItineraryTours in Kangaroo Island related to Waterbirds & Waders
-
September,October,November, Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island - Common spring sightings by bird group
Bushbirds Laughing Kookaburra, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing Parrots Crimson Rosella, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Little Corella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Rock Parrot Raptors Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon, Swamp Harrier, Osprey Seabirds Short-tailed Shearwater, Australasian Gannet, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, Pacific Gull, Great Crested Tern, Caspian Tern Songbirds Superb Fairy-wren, Eastern Spinebill, Red Wattlebird, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Brown Thornbill, Striated Thornbill, Golden Whistler, Australian Magpie, Grey Currawong, Willie Wagtail, Australian Raven, Scarlet Robin Waterbirds & Waders Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Musk Duck, Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe, Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher, Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover, Common Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Short-tailed Shearwater, Ruddy Turnstone
Suggested tour: Kangaroo Island Birding Tour (Wild About Birds)
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private only
Departs: On request
This three day Kangaroo Island birdwatching and wildlife tour is presented with an indicative itinerary. Opportunities vary throughout the year and each season is slightly different in terms of natural cycles. The experience delivered is customised according to the season and fine-tuned to meet the interests of guests once they arrive on the Island.
Full ItineraryTours in Kangaroo Island related to Waterbirds & Waders
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January,February,December, Maria Island
The endemic and rare Forty-spotted Pardalote can be seen living in community groups in creek gullies and amongst the upper foliage of flowering White Gums forests. These patches are some of the last remaining sanctuaries for this attractive and active tree dweller. All of Tasmania’s eight honeyeaters can be found feeding on nectar around the island including the raucous Yellow Wattlebird, which is the largest honeyeater in the world. Black-headed and Strong-billed Honeyeaters prefer to feed on the browntop stringybarks scattered around the island.
A number of migrants from the mainland are present after nesting at this time including Swift Parrots, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Satin Flycatchers, Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Tree Martins, Welcome Swallows, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes and Dusky Woodswallows.
Common seabirds seen along the stretches of coast include Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers, Crested Terns, Pacific Gulls, Hooded Plovers and Short-tailed Shearwaters whilst Cape Barren Geese and Tasmanian Native Hens are commonly seen grazing in natural or historic clearings alongside flighty Flame Robins.
Tours in Maria Island related to Waterbirds & Waders
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March,April,May, Maria Island
Pacific, Kelp and Silver Gulls, Crested Terns, Little Pied and Great Cormorants and Australian Pelicans are common sights across the white sandy beaches, feeding on small surface fish, squid, crabs, insects and other aquatic prey. During the summer breeding season, the Crested Tern’s black crest is commonly raised, but this becomes mottled in the earlier part of Autumn.
A number of migrants depart Tasmania for the mainland in Autumn including Swift Parrots, Fan-tailed Cuckoos, Satin Flycatchers, Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Tree Martins and Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes. Residents of the island that can be sighted in the lead up to winter include Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Cape Barren Geese, Tasmanian Native Hens, Green Rosellas, Grey Fantails, Flame Robins, Golden Whistlers, Eastern Spinebills and the Beautiful Firetail.
One of the largest eagles in the world with wingspan of 2.3m, the Tasmanian subspecies of the Wedge-tailed Eagle are often seen soaring in pairs around the island’s peaks. They are endangered with only 100 pairs breeding across Tasmania.
Tours in Maria Island related to Waterbirds & Waders
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September,October,November, Maria Island
The brightly coloured Swift Parrot flies to Tasmania from the Australian mainland in Spring to nest and feed on beautiful flowering Tasmanian Blue gums. Another common migrant at this time is the Fan-tailed Cuckoo, known for they laying eggs in nests constructed by Superb Fairy-wrens, Satin Flycatchers and Yellow-rumped Thornbills.
Welcome Swallows, Tree Martins and Dusky Woodswallows also arrive to breed with Welcome Swallows building mud nests under the verandahs of the convict settlement buildings ad Darlington whilst Dusky Woodswallows are often seen perched communally in a line on a branch. Shorebirds such as Hooded Plovers, Sooty & Pied Oyster Catchers nest on Maria’s pristine beaches, whilst young White-bellied Sea Eagles and the Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagles fledge at this time. Between September and April, Bass Strait and the south east coast of Tasmania come alive with 18 million Short-tailed Shearwaters, commonly seen from the cliffs and beaches of Maria Island.
Across the woodlands and Eucalypt forests, rare Forty-spotted Pardalotes, Spotted and Striated Pardalotes, Scarlet Robins, Silvereyes, Green Rosellas, Yellow-rumped Thornbills and Strong-billed, Yellow-throated, Black-headed, Crescent and New Holland Honeyeaters are commonly sighted.
Tours in Maria Island related to Waterbirds & Waders
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January,February,December, Tasmania
Tasmania - Summer Sightings by Bird Group
Bushbirds
Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Spotted Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo | Frogmouths & Nightjars: Tawny Frogmouth
Parrots
Parrots & Cockatoos: Green Rosella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Long-billed Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Blue-winged Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet
Raptors
Hawks & Eagles: Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle, Swamp Harrier, Brown Goshawk, White-bellied Sea-Eagle | Falcons: Brown Falcon, Peregrine Falcon
Seabirds
Penguins: Little Penguin | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Petrels & Shearwaters: Short-tailed Shearwater Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull, Silver Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, | Pelicans: Australian Pelican
Songbirds
Honeyeaters: Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Strong-billed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairywren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Tasmanian Thornbill, Brown Thornbill | Robins: Pink Robin, Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin, Dusky Robin | Whipbirds: | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Grey Strikethrush, Olive Whistler, Golden Whistler | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Dusky Woodswallow, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers: | Babblers: | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin
Waterbirds & Waders
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Maned Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Hardhead, Must Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Far Eastern Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Latham's Snipe, Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Pacific Golden Plover, Hooded Plover, Black-fronted Dotterel, Banded Lapwing, Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Royal Spoonbill | Cranes & Relatives: Eurasian Coot, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe
Adorable Little Penguins breed along the coastline between September and March and this also the time to look out for nesting shorebirds, with Kelp Gulls, Pacific Gulls, Silver Gulls, Pied Oystercatchers, Hooded Dotterels, Crested Terns and Fairy Terns the most commonly sighted. A number of migratory waders arrive in Tasmania over the summer months after long journeys from the Arctic Circle including Eastern Curlews, Curlew Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, Red-necked Stints, Common Greenshanks.
Further inland across Tasmania’s rainforests and sub-alpine regions, Black Currawongs, Green Rosellas, Olive Whistlers, Pink Robins, and Grey Goshawks are a sample of species that can be spotted. Satin Flycatchers are typically one of the last of the summer migrants to arrive to feed on insects.
Waterfowl such as Pacific Black Ducks, White-faced Herons, Australian Shelducks, Chestnut Teals, Australasian Shovellers and Crested Grebes take refuge around the island’s numerous lagoons and estuaries.
Tours in Tasmania related to Waterbirds & Waders
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March,April,May, Tasmania
A number of spring and summer migrant visitors to Tasmania begin flying north to mainland Australia during the Autumn months including Welcome Swallows, Tree Martins, Dusky Woodswallows, Striated Pardalotes, Grey Fantails and the vividly coloured Swift Parrot.
By April, millions of Short-tailed Shearwaters leave the Tasmanian coast on their migration flight to the sub-Arctic region around Alaska, along with other migratory waders such as, Ruddy Turnstones, Red-necked Stints, Common Greenshanks and Eastern Curlews.
Beautiful Firetails can be seen feeding on the ground on various seeds, being most prevalent in coastal areas. Although this species is also located on the mainland, it is most prolific in Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands. Another well known endemic is the Green Rosella, Australia's largest rosella. This beautifully coloured bird occurs throughout a wide range of forest types, from the mountains to the coast.
Tours in Tasmania related to Waterbirds & Waders
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June,July,August, Tasmania
Between June and August, male Little Penguins return to either renovate old burrows or to dig new ones, with noisy male courting displays greeting females on arrival. Around the regions lagoons and estuaries Cattle Egrets, Australasian Shelducks, Black Swans, Chestnut Teals, Australasian Shovellers, Crested Grebes and Australasian Bitterns.
A number of migrant visitors return to the southeast Australian mainland at this time, however, there are abundant endemic species that can be spotted in the the woodlands and Eucalypt forests, including Forty-spotted Pardalotes, Green Rosellas, Tasmanian Thornbills, Dusky Robins, Yellow Wattlebirds along with Strong-billed, Yellow-throated and Black-headed Honeyeaters. Native Tasmanian Hens also begin breeding in July with hens laying around 5 eggs. They are also capable of producing more than one clutch per year.
Other bushbirds that are popular with visitors at this time include Spotted Pardalotes, Crescent and New Holland Honeyeaters, Brush Bronzewings, Golden Whistlers and Eastern Spinebills and Flame Robins that generally move into lower and more open areas at this time. This is also usually the courtship period for raptors across the region including the Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea Eagles, Brown Falcon, Brown Goshawk and Swamp Harriers.
Tours in Tasmania related to Waterbirds & Waders
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September,October,November, Tasmania
Spring sees a number of migrant birds arrive after their flight from the mainland across Bass Strait. Fan-tailed, Pallid and Shining Bronze Cuckoos migrate to breed and will lay their eggs in the nests of Superb Fairy-wrens, Satin Flycatchers and Yellow-rumped Thornbills.
Welcome Swallows, Tree Martins, Dusky Woodswallows, Striated Pardalotes, Grey Fantails and Silvereyes are other welcome visitors, along with the vividly coloured Swift Parrot that breed at the same time as the flowering of the Tasmanian Blue Gums. The nest is usually in a hollow in the trunk, with pairs often returning to the same nest site each year.
Another one of the world’s great wildlife migrations occurs between September and April, along Bass Strait and the southeast coast of Tasmania, as the region comes alive with 18 million Short-tailed Shearwaters. Little Penguins also breed along the coastline at this time along with numerous shorebirds including Red-capped Plovers, Hooded Dotterels, Pied & Sooty Oystercatchers, Cormorants, Masked & Banded Lapwings and a variety of Gulls and Terns.
Tours in Tasmania related to Waterbirds & Waders
