4WDWildman Wilderness Lodge

BIRDS OF THE MARY RIVER WETLANDS 

The Mary River Wetlands region is teeming with bird life. Many visitors arrive seeking the opportunity to view as many birds as possible in the wild. Others discover their inner "twitcher" after they arrive. It is truly compelling with extraordinary sights and sounds to behold. 

This page is a work in progress. Our staff and guests have been contributing their own images to compile our list of birds spotted in the area. You are invited to do the same. If you have visited the Mary River Wetlands and captured a bird on camera, please share your images with us by sending them to sales@wildman.com.au 

Or you can download a comprehensive BIRD WATCHERS GUIDE to the region here.

Darter

Darter Size: 85-95cm Habitat: Found most places in Australia except arid inland regions, the Darter lives around saltwater and freshwater lakes, creeks and estuaries, It's main diet is fish which are hunted underwater and speared with it's long sharp beak. Notes: Black to greyish brown head and body with long snakelike neck, thin pale yellow beak. Pale streaks on wings when outstretched. Breeds Spring-Summer


Intermediate Egret

Intermediate Egret Size: 65cm Habitat: Found across Australia's top end and down Australia's Eastern half, inhabiting wetlands, swamps and mud flats. This bird feeds on small fish, amphibians and crustaceans. Notes: White bird with elongated neck, orange bill and black legs. Breeds when conditions are good.

 

 

Jabiru (Black nexcked Stork)

Jabiru (Black necked Stork) Size: 130-170cm Habitat: Ranging from NSW central coast to Northern QLD ,NT and   Northern WA. Located near swamps, wetlands, mangroves flats, flood pastures and dams. Feeds on fish, amphibians and crustaceans. Notes: Formerly called Jabiru, Black head, bill and neck, white body and back wings. Female eyes yellow, males eyes black, legs red Breeds Autumn.

 

 

Magpie Goose

Magpie Goose Size: 70-90cm Habitat: Distributed across the Top End of Australia and down the East coast to Central NSW. Frequents marshes, swamps and lagoons in the tropical North. Feeds on aquatic vegetable matter. Notes: Knobbed black head, knob more noticeable with age. Bill pink/red, neck and upper wings black, body white, legs orange/yellow. Breeds Autumn.

 

 

White bellied Sea Eagle

White bellied Sea Eagle Size: 75-85cm Habitat: Found around Australia's coastline, and inland close to large rivers, reservoirs and lakes. This Eagle feeds on fish caught near the surface of the water, also feeds on rabbits, birds, turtles, sea snakes and carrion. Notes: White head, chest and belly, grey wings, under wing white with black edge and fingers. Tail short and wedge shaped. Large wings span almost 2 meters. Breeds Winter-Spring.


Comb crested Jacana

Comb crested Jacana Size: 23cm Habitat: Distributed across the Top End and down the East coast of Australia, the Comb Crested Jacana inhabits swamps and lakes where floating plants are present, feeds on aquatic weeds and small invertebrates. Notes: Grey head, with yellow eye, brown striped breast and belly. Yellow legs, wings grey on top, tail long grey with dark barring. Breeds Spring-Summer.

 

 

Black winged Stilt

Black winged Stilt Size: 36-38cm Habitat: Wide spread throughout Australia excepting our most arid regions. Frequently found on the edges of swamps, lagoons and creeks and sewage ponds. Feeds on small aquatic insects, molluscs and crustaceans. Notes: Head white with black nape, body white with black wings, legs long and red folding backwards. Breeds Spring.

 

 

Little CorellaLittle Corella Size: 38cm Habitat: Distributed across Australia's top end, throughout Central QLD, NSW, VIC and parts of SA. Preferring woodland, farmland and wetlands. Feeds on seeds and cereal crops. Notes: White bird, blue patch around eye, pink patch on face, small crest, yellow tip of tail. Breeds all seasons.

 

   

Sulpher crested Cockatoo

Sulphur crested Cockatoo Size: 50cm Habitat: Found across Australia's Top End and down the Eastern side. This bird inhabits forest, woodlands and open country. Feeds on seeds, roots, grains and nuts usually foraged off the ground. Notes: White bird with Sulphur coloured crest, yellow patches under wing, bill grey, eyes brown. Breeds Spring-Summer.

 

 

Azure Kingfisher

 Azure Kingfisher Size: 18cm Habitat: Distributed Across the Top End and down the Eastern side of Australia, this bird  
 inhabits creeks, rivers and mangroves. Feeds on small fish and water dwelling creatures. Notes: Bill black, black eye, rust
 coloured breast and belly, Bright blue head and wings, two white patches on back of neck (resemble eyes to other birds),
 legs orange. Breeds Spring-Summer.

 

 

Forest Kingfisher

Forest Kingfisher Size: 20cm Habitat: Located across Australia's Top end and down the Eastern seaboard to North of Sydney, the Forest Kingfisher Inhabits as the name suggest forests, woodlands and mangroves. Diet consists of insects worms and small reptiles. Notes: Blue crown, black eye stripe, long bill, with blue wings and tail, white patch on top of each wing noticeable in flight. White breast and belly. Breeds Spring.

 

 

Rainbow Bee-eater

Rainbow Bee-eater Size: 38cm Habitat: Found all across Australia except Tasmania and the far south west of the mainland. It is found in all types of open country especially around rivers and creeks. Notes: Head is orange with a black and blue stripe through their bright red eye. Body green and blue, bright orange under wings, tail usually has two wire like extensions. Nests at the end of tunnel in a creek or river bank. Breeds Spring- Summer.