Comb-crested Jacana
Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea) Unsurpringly also known as the Lotusbird, Walks across floating plants on its enormous dull green feet. Mainly tropical distribution though found further South along the coast in Summer
Green Pygmy Goose -male
Green Pygmy Goose -male (Nettapus pulchellus) Not a goose at all, it is one of our smallest ducks. A tropical bird though occasionally found further South down Queensland coast in Summer
Green Pygmy Goose -female
Forest Kingfisher
Forest Kingfisher (todiramphus macleayii) This little kingfisher is exactly where you would expect to find him - sitting on a dead lotus flower waiting for a dragon fly to flit by. Very much a tropical distribution for this bird
Rainbow Bee-eater
Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) This gorgeous looking blue and green bird is common in the top end comes south in the Summer. The male has characteristic long tail shafts
Merops ornatus. This lovely green and blue bird is widespread throughotu Australia but mainly in tropical areas. The male has long tail points
Red-backed kingfisher
Red-backed kingfisher (Todiramphus pyrrhopygius) at Pine Creek NT. This bird is relatively uncommon and lives mainly in Northern Australia, coming south during summer. This Northern version is bluer than the more Southern birds
Pied Heron
Pied Heron (egreta picata) is an elegant smaller heron that is only found in coastal Northern Australia. This was one of many we saw at Fogg Dam about 70km South of Darwin
Australian Pratincole
Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella) This graceful little wading bird is reasonably widespread throughout Australia. Currently in non-breeding colours. Pic taken at Fogg Dam
Crimson Finch - male
Crimson Finch - male (Neochmia phaeton) One of a number of stunning top-end finches, this one likes living near water and seems to not mind people too much. Found from Broome through to Gulf of Carpentaria
This little guy was living in the Pandanus safe from anything - it has vicious spines. We were at a waterhole at dawn and he emerged to warm up in the morning sun
White-bellied Cuckoo shrike
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina papuensis) Taken at Fogg Dam, This species is reasonably widespread round Australia though the NT form is smaller and paler than others
Australian Yellow Oriole
Australian Yellow Oriole (Oriolus flavocinctus) at Fogg Dam NT. This bird is a fruit eater rarely seen except in the top of trees. It is very much a tropical bird. Should really be called Green Oriole IMO
Australasian Figbird
Australasian Figbird (Specotheres vieilloti) This bird occurs along our tropical coast and down as far as Sydney. Only in the North does it have this lovely yellow colour and then only on males
White breasted woodswallow
White breasted woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus). We saw these cute little guys sitting on the wire just outside Pine Creek
Hooded Parrot - female
Hooded parrot (Psephotus dissimilis) We saw a small flock of these feeding in the grass in Pine Creek NT. This is a female. The male is more brightly coloured. It nests in termite mounds. The bird is heading towards being endangered due to habitat loss
Hooded parrot
Hooded parrot (Psephotus dissimilis) We saw a small flock of these feeding in the grass in Pine Creek NT. This is a juvenile
Northern Rosella
Northern Rosella (Platycercus venustus). Found in NT and top of WA. We stopped at Edith Falls for lunch and saw some movement in the bush nearby. On investigation there were a few of these Northern Rosellas picking at the dried seeds.
Diamond Dove
Diamond Dove, Geopelia cuneata This tiny dove lives in drier grassy woodlands in Northern Australia
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii macrorhynchus ) This female is searching for seeds under a tree. She will then demolish them with her huge bill
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii macrorhynchus ) This female is cracking a seed with her huge bill
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii macrorhynchus) This is a male bird with the red flashes on its tail feathers. It landed briefly on a tree before rejoining a flock of maybe 50 birds that was flying by.
