Annotated Top End Birdlist

Birds of Darwin and surrounds including Kakadu, Arnhemland, Litchfield and areas to the west and east of Katherine

Links to pages featuring the birds will be added as the data base of information and photos is built up. Please feel free to contribute any observations, comments or photos of these species. Please restrict contributions to birds seen or photographed in the Territory, even where the same species occurs in other states. Click here for free printable checklist Page 1 Page 2

1. Emu Dromaius novaeholladiae - uncommon to rare, mostly southern and eastern Top End.

2. Magpie Goose Anseranus semipalmata - common and widespread, wetlands, orchards. Breeds January to April.

3. Spotted Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna guttata - rare vagrant, wetlands. Increasingly appearing at Leanyer and sighted at Fogg Dam in 2013.

4. Plumed Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoni - moderately common, wetlands. Breeds January to June.

5. Wandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoni - common and widespread, wetlands. Breeds March - July.

6. Radjah Shelduck Tadorna radjah - common and widespread, all regions. Breeds March to July.

7. Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa - rare visitor, wetlands.

8. Black Swan Cygnus atratus - rare and irregular May to November, all regions.

9. Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus - moderately common and widespread, all regions. Breeds at any time.

10. Green Pygmy-goose Nettapus pulchellus - common and widespread, all regions. Breeds January to May. 

11. Grey Teal Anas gracilis - common and widespread May to December, all regions. Breeding triggered by rainfall.

12. Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa - common and widespread, all regions May to December. Breeds January to June.

13. Hardhead Aythya australis - moderately common and widespread, all regions April to November. 

14. Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt - common in coastal areas, monsoon forest, mangroves and parks. Breeds August to July. View Profile

15. Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora - common and widespread, grassy understorey in open woodland. Breeds March to July.

16. Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae - common and widespread, all regions mainly April to November. Breeds September to May.

17. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus - uncommon to rare and localised May to October, all regions.  

18. Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus - moderately common and widespread resident, wetlands

19. Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos - common and widespread, inshore, harbours, creeks, rivers, wetlands

20. Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris - common and widespread, inshore, harbours, creeks, rivers, wetlands

21. Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius - moderately common along coast, uncommon to rare inland

22. Australasian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae - common and widespread, inshore, harbours, creeks, rivers, wetlands

23. Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus - common and widespread, coast, wetlands

24. Black Bittern Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus - uncommon and widespread, wetlands, mangroves, rivers and paperbark forest

25. White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica - moderately common and widespread, more likely to be seen inland than on the coast, wetlands

26. Eastern Great Egret Ardea modesta - common and widespread, estuaries, harbours and wetlands

27. Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia - common and widespread, estuaries, harbours and wetlands

28. Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana - uncommon to rare, all regions, estuaries, rivers, wetlands

29. Cattle Egret Ardea ibis - moderately common and widespread, in pastures with cattle and horses, wetlands

30. Striated Heron Butorides striata stagnatilis - moderately common resident, mangroves, reefs, estuaries, creeks

31. Pied Heron Egretta picata - common and widespread visitor, wetlands, sewerage ponds, rubbish tips View Profile

32. White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae - moderately common and widespread though scarce near the coast, wetlands

33. Little Egret Egretta garzetta negripes - moderately common and widespread, estuaries, reefs, wetlands

34. Eastern Reef Egret Egretta sacra - moderately common coastal resident, coast, harbours and estuaries

35. Nankeen Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus - moderately common and widespread, wetlands, paperbark forests

36. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus - moderately common and widespread visitor, wetlands

37. Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca - common and widespread resident, mangroves, wetlands, parks

38. Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis - common and widespread dry season visitor with some resident and breeding, wetlands, parks, woodlands

39. Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia - moderately common and widespread, especially May to October, wetlands

40. Yellow-billed Spoonbill Platalea flavipes - rare and irregular dry season visitor, wetlands

41. Eastern Osprey Pandion cristatus - uncommon resident, coastal and adjacent areas

42. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris - uncommon but widespread, grassland, wetlands, floodplains

43. Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura - uncommon but widespreadvisitor, open woodland, riverine woodland

44. Black-breasted Buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon - moderately common and widespread, more often seen in north during dry season

45. Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata - uncommon but widespread, woodlands, monsoon forest, occasionally parks and suburbs

46. White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster - common and widespread, coasts, wetlands, estuaries and large rivers

47. Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus - common and widespread, wetlands, open woodland, rubbish tips, suburbs

48. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus - common resident of coastal areas, coast, wetlands, suburbs

49. Black Kite Milvus migrans - common and widespread resident, numbers reduced during wet season, open woodland, beaches, rubbish tips, parks and suburbs

50. Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus - common and widespread, migratory race boosts numbers during dry season, woodlands, mangroves, parks and suburbs

51. Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrocephalus - uncommon but widespread resident, woodlands, suburbs and parks

52. Grey Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae - uncommon but widespread resident, monsoon and riverine forest, mangroves, parks and suburbs

53. Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis - uncommon but widespread dry season resident, grasslands, dry floodplains

54. Swamp Harrier Circus approximans - uncommon but widespread visitor, May to December, floodplains, wetlands

55. Red Goshawk - rare but widespread resident, open woodland, especially near large rivers

56. Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax - moderately common and widespread, especially more inland, open woodland, plains and escarpments

57. Little Eagle - uncommon visitor, mainly southern areas, open woodlands and plains

58. Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis - uncommon to rare but widespread, mainly dry season in northerly areas, open woodlands, floodplains, grasslands

59. Australian Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio - uncommon to moderately common, mainly May to November, wetlands

60. Chestnut Rail Eulabeornis castaneoventris - moderately common resident, coastal mangroves

61. Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis - moderately common resident, mainly coastal and near coastal, wetlands, streams, estuaries and mangroves

62. Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla - uncommon and irregular visitor to coastal and near coastal areas, wetlands

63. White-browed Crake Amaurornis cinerea - moderately common resident in coastal and near coastal areas, wetlands

64. Pale-vented Bush-hen Amaurornis olivaceus - rare and localised, riverine woodland, monsoon forest, mangrove edges

65. Eurasian Coot Fulica atra - uncommon to moderately common and widespread dry season visitor, wetlands

66. Brolga Grus rubicunda - moderately common and widespread, greatest numbers May to November, wetlands, grasslands

67. Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius - moderately common and widespread resident, woodlands, orchards, parks and suburbs

68. Beach Stone-curlew Esacus magnirostris - uncommon resident along coasts, beaches, reefs, mudflats

69. White-headed (Black-winged) Stilt Himantopus himantopus - common and widespread resident, wetlands

70. Red-necked Avocet - rare, irregular dry season visitor, wetlands, sewerage ponds

71. Australian Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris - moderately common coastal resident, beaches, reefs, mudflats

72. Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus - uncommon coastal resident, beaches, reefs, mudflats

73. Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva - moderately common widespread visitor, September to May, beaches, mudflats, reefs, wetlands, grasslands, sewerage ponds

74. Grey Plover - moderately common coastal visitor, September to April, beaches, mudflats, reefs

75. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius - uncommon to rare visitor, July to April, wetlands, sewrage ponds

76. Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus - moderately common mainly coastal resident, beaches, wetlands, sewerage ponds

77. Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus - moderately common coastal visitor September to April, beaches, mudflats

78. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii - common coastal visitor September to April, beaches, mudflats

79. Oriental Plover Charadrius veredus - uncommon to moderately common passage visitor, August to November, mudflats, reefs, wetlands, floodplains, grasslands

80. Black-fronted Dotterel Elseyornis melanops - moderately common and widespread with movement away from the coast December to March, wetlands, sewerage ponds, streams

81. Red-kneed Dotterel Erythrogonys cinctus - uncommon to moderately common and widespread, April to October, wetlands, sewerage ponds

82. Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles - very common and widespread, mudflats, reefs, wetlands, parks, suburbs

83. Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea - common and widespread resident, wetlands

84. Swinhoe's Snipe Gallinago megala - moderately common widespread coastal and near coastal visitor, November to April, wetlands, grasslands, rivers, mangrove edges

85. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa - moderately common and widespread visitor, September to April, beaches mudflats, wetlands

86. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica - common visitor to coastal areas, September to April, beaches, mudflats

87. Little Curlew - moderately common and widespread passage migrant, late September to Dacember, grasslands, wetlands, floodplains, parks

88. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus - common coastal visitor, September to April, beaches, reefs, mudflats, parks

89. Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis - common coastal visitor, September to April, beaches, mudflats

90. Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus - moderately common coastal visitor, September to April, beaches, mudflats

91. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos - moderately common coastal visitor, July to April, beaches, mudflats, reefs, wetlands

92. Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes - moderately common visitor, September to April, reefs, estuaries, mudflats

93. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia - common and widespread visitor, September to April, reefs, estuaries, mudflats, wetlands

94. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis - common and widespread visitor, September to April, wetlands

95. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola - moderately common and widespread visitor, September to April, wetlands

96. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres - moderately common to common coastal visitor, September to April, reefs, harbours, beaches

97. Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris - common coastal visitor, September to April, beaches, mudflats, reefs

98. Red Knot Calidris canutus - uncommon to moderately common coastal visitor, September to April, beaches, mudflats

99. Sanderling Calidris alba - moderately common coastal visitor, September to October, beaches, mudflats, reefs

100. Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis - moderately common and widespread visitor, September to April, beaches, mudflats, estuaries, wetlands

101. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - moderately common and widespread visitor, late August to April, wetlands, floodplains

102. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ruficollis - uncommon to moderately common visitor, September to April, coasts, wetlands

103. Broad-billed Sandpiper - uncommon, irregular visitor, September to April, coasts, wetlands

104. Red-backed Button-quail Turnix maulosa - uncommon to moderately common resident, mainly coastal and near coastal, wetland edges, floodplains, open woodlands

105. Chestnut-backed Button-quail Turnix castanota - uncommon and localised resident, open woodlands with sparse grass grass cover, rocky ridges

106. Red-chested Button-quail Turnix pyrrhothorax - uncommon to moderately common, open woodland, wetland edges, grasslands

107. Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum - uncommon to moderately common and widespread passage visitor, wetlands, floodplain, grasslands

108. Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella - common and widespread visitor, April to November, wetlands, grasslands, plains

109. Little Tern Sternula albifrons - uncommon to moderaely common, mostly September to April, beaches, harbours

110. Gull-billed Tern (Asian) Gelochelidon nilotica - moderately common and widespread, inshore, beaches, reefs, harbours, wetlands

111. Gull-billed Tern (Australian) Gelochelidon nilotica macrotarsa - moderately common and widespread, inshore, beaches, reefs, harbours, wetlands

112. Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia - moderately common and widespread resident, mudflats, beaches, wetlands

113. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida - common and widespread visitor, March to November, inshore, harbours, wetlands, floodplains

114. White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus - common coastal and near coastal visitor, Setember to April, inshore, beaches, wetlands

115. Common Tern - uncommon to moderately common coastal visitor, beaches, harbours

116. Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis - moderately common, coastal, especially July to November, inshore, reefs, beaches

117. Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii - common coastal resident, inshore, beaches, reefs, harbours

118. Silver Gull Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae - common only along Darwin coastal area, beaches, reefs, harbours, rubbish tips

119. Rock Dove - common, urban, introduced.

120. Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica - moderately common, all regions. Breeds July to May.

121. Common Bronzewing - moderately common, open woodland. Breeds dry season.

122. Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes - moderately common and widespread, open woodland and urban. Breeds late dry season August.

123. Spinifex Pigeon Geophaps plumifera - uncommon, open woodland, inland. Breeds dry season from June. 

124. Partridge Pigeon Geophaps smithii - uncommon to moderately common, open woodlandBreeds March to July.

125. White-quilled Rock-Pigeon Petrophassa albipennis - uncommon and localised south-west escarpment areas. Breeds March to November.

126. Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon Petrophassa rufipennis - uncommon to moderately common and localised, Kakadu. Breeds January to April.

127. Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata - common and widespread, all regions. Breeds after rain.

128. Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata - common and widespread, all regions. Breeds all months, mostly wet season.

129. Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis - common and widespread, all regions. Breeds September to June.

130. Blak-banded Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus cinctus - uncommon and localised, Kakadu escarpment. Breeds August to December.

131. Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus regina - moderately common, all regions. Breeds October to March.

132. Torresian Imperial-Pigeon Ducula bicolor - common and widespread July to April, all regions. Breeds August to April.

133. Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianinus - common and widespread resident, woodlandsrivers and wetland areas, suburbs

134. Pacific Koel Eudynamys orientalis - moderately common and widespread breeding wet season visitor, woodlands, monsoon forest, wetland edges, parks and suburbs

135. Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae - uncommon but widespread breeding visitor, woodlands, wetlands, parks

136. Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites basalis - uncommon to moderately common and widespread dry season visitor, more inland than coastal

137. Black-eared Cuckoo Chalcites osculans - rare, irregular visitor, sporadic northerly records, May to October

138. Little Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites minutillus - moderately common and widespread resident, more common near the coast, mangroves, monsoon forest, wetland edges, parks

139. Pallid Cuckoo Cacomantis pallidus - uncommon to moderately common away from the coast, May to November, woodland, wetland edges

140. Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus - moderately common and widespread resident, seen more September to April, monsoon forest, woodlands, wetlands, suburbs

141. Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus optatus - uncommon but relaively widespread non-breeding wet season visitor, monsoon forest, riverine woodlands, likes to feed in open areas with dense vegetation nearby for hasty return to cover

142. Masked Owl - rare resident in coastal and near coastal areas, open woodland

143. Eastern Barn Owl Tyto javanica - uncommon but widespread resident, woodlands, escarpments, wetland edges

144. Eastern Grass Owl Tyto longimembris - uncommon but widespread resident, wetland edges, floodplains, grasslands

145. Rufous Owl Ninox rufa - uncommon. mainly coastal and near coastal resident, monsoon forest, paperbark and riverine forests, parks

146. Barking Owl Ninox connivens - moderately common and widespread resident, woodland, monsoon forest, wetland edges, parks and suburbs

147. Southern Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae - uncommon but widespread resident, open woodland, riverine woodland, parks

148. Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides - moderately common and widespread, all areas. Breeds August to December.

149. Spotted Nightjar Eurostopodus argus - moderately common and widespread, all areas. Breeds April to November

150. Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus - moderately common, closed forest. Breeds August to January.

151. Australian Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles cristatus - moderately common and widespread, all areas. breeds August to April. 

152. Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus - moderately common, October to April

153. Azure Kingfisher Ceyx azureus - common and widespread resident, streams, pools in monsoon forests, mangroves, wetlands, rivers and creeks, wherever there ae small fish

154. Little Kingfisher Ceyx pusilla - uncommon resident, streams and pools in monsoon forest and mangroves, densely vegetated wetlands, rivers and creeks

155. Blue-winged Kookaburra Dacelo leachii - common and widespread resident, wooodlands, wetland edges, parks and suburbs

156. Forest Kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii - common and widespread

157. Red-backed Kingfisher Todiramphus pyrrhopygius - moderately common and widespread, more inland than coastal and seen mostly May to October, wetland edges, woodlands, powerlines on roadsides

158. Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus - common and widespread, influx in March with some passing through and others staying until about October, woodlands, wetlands, mangroves, reefs, suburbs

159. Torresian (Collared) Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris - moderately common resident in coastal areas, mangroves, reefs

160. Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus - common and widespread, some resident, majority visitors from April to Octber, woodlands, wetlands, coastal scrubs, suburbs

161. Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis - common and widespread breeding visitor, August to May, open woodlands, wetlands, riverine woodland, suburbs

162. Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides - moderately common and widespread, open woodland, grasslands, parks

163. Brown Falcon Falco berigora - common and widespread resident, open woodland, wetlands and parks

164. Australian Hobby Falco longipennis - moderately common and widespread, open woodland, wetlands and parks

165. Grey Falcon - rare visitor, open woodlands, riverine woodland, wetlands and plains

166. Black Falcon Falco subniger - uncommon but widespread, coastal and near coastal records mostly May to October, open woodland., wetlands, grassland

167. Peregrine Falcon - uncommon but widespread, wetlands, escarpments, coasts

168. Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii - common and widespread resident, scarcer near coast during wet season, open woodland, wetland edges, urban areas, often feeds on newly burnt areas of savannah woodland

169. Galah Eolophus roseicapillus - common and widespread resident, woodland, wetland edges, parks and suburbs

170. Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea - common and widespread resident, wetland edges, woodlands, parks

171. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita - common and widespread resident, wetland edges, riverine forest, woodlands, parks

172. Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus - moderately common resident, widespread away from the coast, common from Pine Creek to the south, open woodland

173. Red-collared Lorikeet Trichoglossus rubritorquis - common and widespread, woodland, parks, suburbs, roosts in city areas in Darwin and Palmerston

174. Varied Lorikeet Psitteuteles versicolor - moderately common and widespread, highly nomadic, following flowering trees, open woodland, riverine woodland

175. Red-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus - common and widespread, woodlands, parks, suburbs

176. Northern Rosella Platycercus venustus - uncommon to moderately common, woodland, riverine forest

177. Hooded Parrot Psephotus dissimilis - uncommon, localised in Pine Creek and Katherine areas, open and riverine woodland

178. Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus - rare to uncommon irregular dry season visitor, away from the coast, open woodland

179. Rainbow Pitta Pitta iris - moderately common resident, more common near the coast, monsoon forest, easiest to find eptember to March, when it is more vocal and active  View Profile

180. Black-tailed Treecreeper Climacteris melanura - moderately common and widespread resident though more common away from the coast, open woodland

181. Great Bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus nuchalis - common and widespread resident, woodland escarpment, mangrove and monsoon forest edges, wetlands, parks and suburbs

182. Purple-crowned Fairy-wren Malurus coronatus - uncommon and localised resident in the Southwest region, dense grasses along Victoria River

183. Red-backed Fairy-wren Malurus melanocephalus -  common and widespread resident, woodlands, grasslands

184. Variegated Fairy-wren - rare to moderately common resident, savannah woodland, escarpment, rocky hills, spinifex woodland. Race M. l. dulcis (Lavender-flanked Fairy-wren) occurs on sandstone escarpments in Kakadu and Katherine regions

185. White-throated Grasswren Amytornis woodwardi - rare. localised resident, Kakadu and Katherine regions, sandstone uplands and escarpments with spinifex, needs unburnt areas

186. White-lined Honeyeater Meliphaga albilineata - uncommon and localised resident, sandstone escarpment and surrounding woodlands in Kakadu and southwest regions

187. Singing Honeyeater - moderately common and widespread resident, scarce near the coast, open woodland

188. White-gaped Honeyeater Lichenostomus unicolor - common and widespread resident, woodlands, forests, wetland edges, mangroves, parks and suburbs

189. Grey-headed Honeyeater - rare in southern Top End, nomadic, recorded in Southwest region, woodland, particularly on hillsides with spinifex

190. Grey-fronted Honeyeater Lichenostomus plumulus - uncommon, nomadic, southern areas of Katherine and Southwest areas, open woodlands

191. Yellow-tinted Honeyeater Lichenostomus plumulus - moderately common resident, widespread away from the coast, open or riverine woodland, parks and urban areas

192. Yellow-throated Miner Manorina flavigula - moderately common and widespread resident, generally away from the coast, woodlands, parks, suburbs, regularly seen in Palmerston, rarely in Darwin

193. Bar-breasted Honeyeater Ramsayornis fasciatus - moderately common and widespread resident, wetland edges, parks

194. Rufous-banded Honeyeater Conopophila albogularis - common and widespread resident though mainly coastal and near coastal, monsoon forest, mangroves, riverine woodlands, wetland edges, parks and suburbs

195. Rufous-throated Honeyeater Conopophila rufogularis - common and widespread resident, more inland than coastal, some movement to the coast May to October, riverine and open woodland, wetland edges, escarpments

196. Crimson Chat - rare and irregular dry season visitor, Southwest region only, woodlands

197. Yellow Chat - rare and localised resident and nomadic visitor, wetland edges

198. Dusky Honeyeater Myzomela obscura - common and widespread resident, forests, wetland edges, parks and suburbs

199. Red-headed Honeyeater Myzomela erythrocephala - common resident incoastal and near coastal areas, a mangrove specialist, sometimes seen in parks and gardens when there is little flowering in mangroves

200. Banded Honeyeater Cissomela pectoralis - common widespread resident away from the coast with irregular dry season movements into coastal areas, open woodlands, escarpments

201. Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta - very common and widespread resident, occurrs in almost all habitats

202. Golden-backed Honeyeater Melithreptus laetior - uncommon resident, widespread across southern Top End, woodland, wetland edges, creeks and rivers

203. White-throated Honeyeater Melithreptus albogularis - common and widespread resident, woodlands, wetland edges, parks and suburbs

204. White-quilled (Blue-faced) Honeyeater Entomyzon albipennis - moderately common and widespread resident, woodlands, parks and suburbs

205. Helmeted Friarbird Philemon buceroides - moderately common resident, mangroves, monsoon forest, parks and suburbs

206. Sandstone Helmeted Friarbird Philemon buceroides gordoni - moderately common resident, escarpment

207. Silver-crowned Friarbird Philemon argenticeps - common and widespread resident, woodland, escarpment, parks and suburbs

208. Little Friarbird Philemon citreogularis - common and widespread resident, woodland, wetland edges, parks and suburbs

209. Red-browed Pardalote - uncommon to moderately common resident in southern areas, possibly some northwqard movement May to October, open woodland near water, call is distinctive and ventriloquial

210. Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus - common and widespread resident, influx to more coastal areas March to October, during which time they breed and are very vocal, woodlands, creeks, parks and suburbs

211. Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris - common and widespread, woodlands

212. Mangrove Gerygone Gerygone levigaster - moderately common and widespread resident in coastal mangroves, mangroves adjoining saline flats

213. Large-billed Gerygone Gerygone magnirostris - moderately common and widespread resident in coastal mangroves, mangroves, monsoon forest, dense riverine forest

214. Green-backed Gerygone Gerygone chloronota - moderately common and widespread resident, monsoon forest landward edge of mangroves, riverine forest, gardens

215. White-throated Gerygone Gerygone albogularis - uncommon to moderately common and widespread, generally more inland, some resident, others moving from south to areas closer to the coast in the dry season, beautiful call and not as shy as other Gerygones makes this species a delight to see

216. Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis - common and widespread resident, open woodlands, parks and suburbs

217. White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus - moderately common dry season resident, scarce or absent from the coast September to April, wetter habitats than other woodswallows

218. Masked Woodswallow Artamus personatus - uncommon to moderately common nomadic visitor, scarce near the coast, open woodland

219. White-browed Woodswallow Artamus superciliosus - uncommon to moderately common nomadic visitor, generally restriced to Southwest Top End, open woodland

220. Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus - common resident, widespread away from the coast, absent from Darwin but regular at Fogg Dam, plains, grasslands, wetland edges and woodland

221. Little Woodswallow Artamus minor - moderately common visitor, generally uncommon near the coast, woodlands, escarpment

222. Black Butcherbird Cracticus quoyi - moderately common coastal resident, mangroves, occasionally monsoon forest and gardens

223. Silver-backed (Grey) Butcherbird Cracticus argenteus - moderately common and widespread, more likely to see in Palmerston than Darwin, open forest, woodlands

224. Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis - common and widespread resident, open woodlands, wetland edges, parks

225. Australian Magpie Cracticus tibicen - uncommon to moderately common resident in far south of Top End, rarely seen north of Katherine, woodlands, parks

226. Ground Cuckoo-shrike - rare to uncommon resident and nomadic visitor, Katherine and Southwest regions, open woodland

227. Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae - common and widespread resident, scarce from coastal areas October to April, woodlands, wetland edges, floodplains, parks and gardens

228. White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis - common and widespread resident, woodlands, wetland edges, floodplains, riverine woodland, parks and gardens

229. Cicadabird Coracina tenuirostris - uncommon resident, with local in and out of the Top End, monsoon forest, riverine forest, mangroves

230. White-winged Triller Lalage sueurii - common and widespread, resident in southern areas, dry season visitor to coastal areas, open woodland, parks

231. Varied Triller Lalage leucomela - common and widespread resident, less common away from the coast, mangroves, monsoon forest, riverine forest, parks and suburbs

232. Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera - uncommon to moderately common resident and nomad, widespread away from teh coast, woodlands

233. Northern Crested Shrike-tit Falcunculus whitei - rare and little known nomadic resident, localised in southern and eastern Top End, Katherine, Kakadu and Southwest regions, open woodlands, wetland edges

234. Mangrove Golden Whistler Pachycephala melanura - uncommon resident, mangroves, mainly coastal but occasionally estuarine, adjacent vine thickets

235. Brown (Grey) Whistler Pachycephala simplex - common and widespread resident, mangroves, monsoon forest

236. Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris - common and widespread resident, some dry season movement to coastal areas, woodlands

237. White-breasted Whistler - uncommon to rare coastal resident, mangroves

238. Little Shrike-thrush Colluricincla megarhyncha - uncommon to moderately common resident, widespread, mangroves, monsoon forest, dense riverine habitat

239. Sandstone Shrike-thrush Colluricincla woodwardi - uncommon localised resident, restricted to sandstone escarpments

240. Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica - moderately common resident, widespread except in coastal areas, open woodland

241. Australasian Figbird Sphecotheres vieilloti - common and widespread resident, monsoon forest, parks and gardens

242. Green (Yellow) Oriole Oriolus flavocinctus - common and widespread resident, monsoon forest, parks and gardens

243. Olive-backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatus - moderately common and widespread dry season resident, woodlands, parks, gardens

244. Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus - common and widespread resident, monsoon and riverine forest, wetland edges, parks, gardens

245. Arafura Fantail Rhipidura dryas - uncommon to moderately common resident, monsoon forest, mangroves, dense riverine vegetation

246. Grey Fantail Rhipidura albiscapa - uncommon to rare, probably migratory in dry season, mainly southern Top End, open and riverine woodland, mangroves

247. Mangrove Fantail Rhipidura phasiana - uncommon coastal resident, mangroves

248. Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris - common and widespread resident, open and riverine forests, mangroves, parks

249. Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys - common and widespread resident, generally scarce from coastal areas in wet season, woodlands, edge of wetlands, parks

250. Broad-billed Flycatcher Myiagra ruficollis - moderately common resident, coastal and near coastal areas, mangroves, monsoon forest, paperbark woodland

251. Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula - common and widespread resident, with local movements, open and riverine woodlands, mangroves, monsoon forest, wetland edges, parks and gardens

252. Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto - common and widespread resident, mangroves, monsoon forest and riverine forests

253. Paperbark Flycatcher Myiagra nana - moderately common and widespread resident, paperbark and riverine forest, edges of wetlands, floodplains

254. Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca - common and widespread, some resident, significant numbers depart coastal areas October, returning in large flocks in early dry season

255. Torresian Crow Corvus orru - common and widespread resident, woodlands, rubbish tips

256. Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea - moderately common resident in Southern TOp End, open and riverine woodlands, parks, along Victoria Highway oftn associated with water at cattleyards

257. Jacky Winter Microeca fascinans - moderately common resident away from the coast, riverine and open woodland, floodpalain edges

258. Lemon-bellied Flyrobin Microeca flavigaster - common and widespread resident, monsoon forest, mangroves, riverine woodlands, parks

259. Red-capped Robin - rare, irregular dry season visitor to Southwestern Top End, woodlands

260. Hooded Robin - uncommon to moderately common, widespread in Southern Top End, localised in more northerly areas, woodlands

261. Mangrove Robin Peneonanthe pulverulenta - moderately common coastal resident, mangroves

262. Buff-sided Robin Poecilodryas cerviniventris - uncommon resident, dense riverine vegatation, especially where there is bamboo

263. Horsfield's Bushlark Mirafra javanica - common and widespread resident, grasslands, floodplains, wetland edges

264. Barn Swallow - uncommon wet season visitor, mainly coastal, wetland areas, sewerage ponds

265. Fairy Martin Petrochelidon ariel - uncommon to moderatley common visitor, scarce in northern and coastal areas, wetlands, creeks, roadway drains and culverts (nests)

266. Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans - common and widespread visitor, all year round but greater numbers during dry season, aerial over wetlands, sores, woodlands, urban, sewerage ponds

267. Australian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus australis - moderately common resident, wetlands with tall grasses and reeds, occasionally flooded forest wetland edges

268. Oriental Reed-Warbler - vagrant or very rare visitor to coastal and near coastal wetlands, wetlands with thickets

269. Tawny Grassbird Megalurus timoriensis - moderately common resident, wetlands, floodplains, quiet during dry season

270. Rufous Songlark Cincloramphus mathewsi - moderately common dry season visitor to Southern Top End with some sightings nearer the coast, open woodlands, floodplains, grasslands

271. Brown Songlark - rare to uncommon dry season visitor to southern areas, open woodlands, flodplains, grasslands

272. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidus - moderately common resident, recorded all months but quiet in dry season, grassy wetland edges, floodplains

273. Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis - common and widespread resident, wet or dry floodplains, wetlands, grasslands

274. Canary (Yellow) White-eye Zosterops luteus - common resident in coastal mangroves Darwin and Kakadu

275. Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum - common and widespread resident, woodlands, monsoon forest, mangroves, parks and gardens

276. Australasian Pipit - moderately common and widespread resident, grassland, floodplains, wetland edges, parks, ovals

277. Eastern Yellow Wagtail - uncommon wet season (October to April) visitor, most regular in coastal and near coastal areas, wetlands, floodplains, landward edge of mangroves, sewrage ponds, rain puddlese

278. Grey Wagtail - rare visitor, potentially in stone country and around waterfalls during the wet season, some records from Leanyer and Palmerston Sewerage Works and Kakadu

279. Zebra Finch - moderately common nomadic resident in south, woodlands

280. Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii - common and widespread resident, woodlands, forests, mangroves, wetlands, parks and gardens

281. Long-tailed Finch Poephila acuticauda - moderately common and widespread resident, woodlands, edge of wetlands and floodplains, parks and gardens

282. Masked Finch Poephila personata - moderately common and widespread resident, generally absent from coastal areas during wet season, open woodlands, grassy plains

283. Crimson Finch Neochmia phaeton - common and widespread resident, rivers and streams, parks and gardens

284. Star Finch Neochmia ruficauda - uncommon and patchily distributed nomadic resident in Southwest, rivers and streams, wetland edges, occasionally open woodlands, parks and gardens

285. Painted Finch - rare, nomadic visitor to southern Top End, recorded in Katherine and Southwest regions only, rocky hills, escarpments

286. Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae - View Profile -rare to uncommon nomadic resident, widespread in southern half of Top End, not seen in Darwin since the early 70's, open woodlands, grasslands, rivers

287. Yellow-rumped Mannikin Lonchura flaviprymna - uncommon nomadic resident, mainly Southwest area, most Darwin records in flocks of Chestnut-breasted Mannikins at feeding stations, woodland, river and streamside vegetation, floodplain and wetland edges, parks and gardens

288. Chestnut-breasted Mannikin Lonchura castaneothorax - moderately common and widespread resident, woodland, river and streamside vegetation, floodplain and wetland edges, parks and gardens

289. Pictorella Mannikin - rare to uncommon nomadic resident, more likey to see in the Southwest region, grassland, open woodland, wetland edges 

 

*based on notes in 'Finding Birds in Darwin, Kakadu and the Top End' by Niven McCrie and my personal observations, names as per IOC list 2017

Supplementary list - very rare vagrants

King Quail

Garganey

Spotless Crake

Australian Shoveller

Black-tailed Nativehen

Dusky Moorhen

Tri-coloured Grebe

Hoary-headed Grebe

Brown Booby

Asian Dowitcher - rare visitor, September to April, beaches, mudflats, wetlands

Common Redshank Tringa totanus - rare coastal visitor, October to April, mudflats, wetlands

Long-toed Stint - uncommon to rare, irregular visitor, September to December, wetlands with short grass and muddy edges

Pectoral Sandpiper - rare, irregular visitor, September to April, wetlands

Roseate Tern - rare except in North East Top End mainly November to April, inshore, beaches

Black-naped Tern - rare except in North East Top End, inshore, beaches

Black-headed Gull - vagrant, records 1998, December to April 2002-3, 2004-5

Australian Painted Snipe - vagrant, recorded at McMinn's Lagoon December 2006, wetlands

Northern Pintail - vagrant, single record October to December 2003.

Chestnut Teal - vagrant, Darwin region, last seen June 1990.

Lewin's Rail - vagrant

Flock Bronzewing - rare, irregular April to October, wetlands. Breeds after wet season.

White-throated Needletail - rarely seen

289 species, plus some very rare vagrants making up a supplementary list. IOC listing as of 2017. This list is a work in progress as various notes will be added and updated on a regular basis. These notes are brief but thorough and accurate, based on years of observation and notes compiled by Niven McCrie ('Finding Birds in Darwin, Kakadu and the Top End') and my personal observations.