Table Of ContentReadDieesrt' s
g Whawtas sa aibdo tuhte
CompBloeootkfe
firesdti tion:
Australian
'Thiissb yf atrh eb esbto oko fi ttsy pteo b e
publisohneA du stralbiira.dn.'s .
Birds
-SoutAhu stralOiranni fhological
Associajtoiuornn al
Ac ompreahneadnu stihvoer itative
popurleafreg rueitndtoceh eb e i rds
oAfu stralia. 'An interienos rts tudoyfb irdcsa nb ep ursued
anywhefrreo mt heh earotfa cittyot hed riest
deseirttc, a nl eatdo s heeprl easourrd ee tailed
TheR ead'seD rigeCsOtM PLETE BOOK OF
studbyu tn om attewrh att hel evtehleR eader's
AUSTRALIANB IRDSi sf oarn yonweh ow anes
DigCeosmtp BloeootAkfeu strBailrwiidlasl n
tok nowa boutth eb irdwse s eaer ounuds l.e i sa
provaeg oodi nvestment.'
generraelf erewnocrekfo r theo rnitholao gist;
bookc rammewdi tihn formatfiootrnh ea rdent -ConservaCtoiuonnc oiflVi ctorNieaw sletter
birwda tchearn;da b ooko fp hotogracphhast
canb eu sebdy t hen oviwcheo w anetso i dentify
anu nfamilibairr d. 'Raredloyea s b ooko fa b roagde nernaalt uorne
theb irdosfA ustracloimam enidt sealsaf n
Thibso okd escritbhee6s 7 2sp ecioefbs i rdtsh at
automamtuisct f osre rioauvsi cultuyreits ttsh,i s
breeidno rr egulavrilsAyiu ts traAllilbau .t9 of
volumseu redloye sT.h el ayoumta,p sa nd
thesbei rdasr iel lustwriattdhee dt aicloeldo ur
photograaprhaesb solustuepleyr Tbh.i s,
photograopflh isv ibnigr dEsa.c ho ft he
togetwhietrth h ee astyo r eabdu te xtremely
hundreodfsp hotograwpahsss e lecntoetod n ly
informatteixvmtea, k ei tp robabtlhyeb esbto ok
foirt asr tisqtuiacl ibtuytb, e cauistie l lustrates
onb irdssof aprr oduciendc hicso unt'r y.
thec olourainndgc haracteroifts htebi icrsd .
-AustralAivainc ulture
Mosto fc hep hotograwpehrsce h osefnr omt he
NationPahlo tograIpnhdiecox f A ustralian Birds,
ani nvaluable refereonfcA eu sctorlalleicat'iso n
'ReaDdiegCreo'smstp BloeootAkfeu strBailridasn
finesbti rpdh otographs.
ish ighrleyc ommended.'
Manyo ft hec ontribuatroesrp se ciaflriosmt s
-AustralNiaatnu rHails topruyb,l ishbeytd h e
universaintdsi ceis entiinfisct ittuhtreosu ghout AustralMiuasne umS,y dney
Austrawlhiials,e e veraarler ecogniwsoerdl d
experItnsa .d ditieoxnp,e armta tebuirr d
watchesrosm,eo fw homh avdee vottehde liirv es '...t heb essti ngle-vowlourmkoe n t heb irdosf
tot hes tudoyfa birdh,a vhee lpeidnt he Austrailnpi rai natn,do nec hasth oulbdet he
preparaotfit ohnib so ok. standawrodr kf oyre artsoc ome.'
-AmericBainr dsa,j ournpaulb lishbeytd h e
Theh abitbse,h avioduirs,t ribauntdi on
NationAauld uboSno ciety
appearaonfAc ues trabliirada'srs ed escriabnedd ,
thea ccompanydiinsgt ribmuarpisos nh oww here
eacshp ecileisv eNso.t eosn t hec haracteristics
'...a d elighntaftuulrh ails tobroyo kt or ead.'
chaitd entbiifyr disn,c ludtihnegip rl umage,
distincfiteilmvdae r kss,o ngasn dc alls, -TheI bijso,u rnoaflt heB ritish
supplemtehnemt a int exAts.t hem ajoriotfy OrnithologUinsitosn'
Austrabliirad'assr ek nownb ya v arieotfny a mes,
everayp provceodm monn amei sg iveAn b.r ief
'Everywohnoei si ntereisntA euds tralbiiarnd s
descripotfie oancb hi rfda mihlays b een
wilwla ntt hivso lumaen di ti se ssenftoierav le ry
includaeswd ,e lals o thetra xonomiincfo rmation
ornithololgiibcr.aa'lr y
essenttois aple cialists.
-OrnitholoSgoicciaelot fyB avaria
Thed escripotfit ohnehs u ndreodfss peciaerse
enhancbeyds pecial illustroantt ehde sections
behaviaonudrh istoorfby i rdisng enerTahle.
lateisntf ormatointo hneo rigiannsde volution
ofA ustrabliiradnis sg iveann,d t heh abitiant s
whicbhi rdlsi vaer ed escriabnedpd h otographed.
Becauistce o ntaiag nrse adte aolf i nformation
whichha sn evebre fobreee fnr eealvya ilaibnl e
onev olumteh,eR eadeDri'gse CsOtM PLETE
BOOK OF AUSTRALIANB IRDSi so fs pecial
valuteot hee xperBtu.tt hiissn otp rimarai ly
scientwiofirckI .th asb eenw rittfeontr h ose
Coveirl lustYrealtlibooewnl-:lS iuendb irds
witahc onceforrnt hew elfaorfAe u stralia's
Nectarinia jugularis
magnificfaeunnta a,n da na ppreciaotfai nodn
joyi nt hes pecibaela utoyfb irds.
ReadDeirgsCe osmtp BloeotokAef u strBailrwiadsaps un b lishbeyd
ReaderD'isg es(tA ustraPltiyLa i)m ited
80B ayS treeUtl,t imNoS,W 2007
www.readersdigest.com.au
Firestd iti1o9n7 r6e,v is1e9d 7179,7 189,7 199,8 129,8 3
Seconedd iti1o9n8 r6e,v is1e9d 8r8e,p rin1t9ed9 109,9 139,9 179,9 8,
2002,2003,2007
Copyri©g hRteaderD'isg es(tA ustraPltiyLa i)m it1ed9 76,
197179,8 169,8 8
Copyri©g hRteaderD'isg esAts sociatFiaorEn a sLti mited
197169,7 179,8 169,8 8
PhilippCionpeysr i©g hRteaderD'isg esAts sociatFiaorEn a sLti mited
197169,7 179,8 169,8 8
Allr ighrtess ervNeod p.a rotf t hibso okm ayb er eproducsetdo,r ienda
retriesvyaslt eomr,t ransmiitnta endyfo rm orb ya nym eanse,l ectronic,
electrosmtaagtniect,ti acp em,e chanicpahlo,t ocopyriencgo,r doirn g
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NationLailb raorfyA ustraClaitaa loguing-in-Pduabtlai:c ation
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Index
ISBN9 708 94998941 9
1.Bi rd-sA ustralia
598.2994
PrintbeydL eoP aperC,h ina
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Produccotd e0 4010 34
Concepcto dAe U 0014
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wase ditedd easnideg dnb yR eade'rsD igetsS erviPcteyLs td,S ydney
SECOND EDITION FIRSTE DITION AlexM iddletPohnD,
University of Guelph, GCuaenlapdah , Ontario,
CONSULTANT EDITORS CONSULTANT EDITOR
H.JF.r itDhS,c ( AgrF)A,A ,F TS DaviMdi lledge
DrR ichaSrcdh oddBeS,c ( HonsP)h,D ,
formerClhyi eDf,i visioofWn i ldilfRee search,
CFAOU CSIOR,C anberra K.AM.u lleBrS,c
PrinciRpeasle arScchi etinst SanD iegZoo o,C alifornia
Diviisono fW ildliafnedR angelands CONTRIBUTORS
M.D.M urraByS,c ,F RCVS,M ACVSc
ResearCcShI,OR ,C anberra
IanA bbotPth,D CSIROS,y dney
UniversoifWt eys terAnu stralia, Perth
DrS oniCa. T idemanDni,p TM,S c,P hD
RonalId.O rensteMiSnc,,P hD
ResearScchi entist AllaJn.B akerP,h D UniversiotfMy i chigAannn,A rbo,Mr ichigan,
ConservatCiomomni sisono ft heN orthern RoyaOln tarMiuos eumT,or ontCoa,n adaan d USA
TerritDoarryw,i n UniversoifTt oyro nto
ShanPea rkerB,S c
CONTRIBUTORS RoberBte eton SoutAhu stralMiuasne umA,d elaide
UniversiotfNy e wE nglanAdr,m idale
HarrLy. B ellM,S c,P hD VeroniPcaar rByA,, M Sc
DepartmeofnZ to ologUyn,i versoifNt eyw ErharBdo ehm
EnglanAdr,m idale JudyT urlReeyc her
L.W.B raithwaMiStce,P, h D NationTarlu sotfA ustraSlyidan,e y
Richarandd M ollByr own CSIOR,C anberra
PauliRneei lFlyR,A OU
GraemeC hapman MichaeBlr okoerM,S c (Agr)
DivisioofWn i ldlainfdeR angelaRnedsse arch, CSIOR,P erth Michael RidPphaDt h,
CSIOR,C anberra CSIOR,D arwin
MurraByr uce
LeslCiher istiBdSics( ,H onsP)h,D NormaRno binsoBnA,
Post-docFteolrlaolw JohnC alabDyS,c
DivisioofWn i ldlainfdeR angelaRnedsse arch, CSIOR,C anberra IanR owleCyF,A OU
CSIOR,C anberra CSIROP,e rth
GraemeC hapman
SimoFne rrier CSIOR,C anberra DaviRdu shton
DepartmeofnZ to ologUyni,v ersoifNt eyw CSIROC,a nberra
England, Armidale AlexH .C hisholQmB,E ,F RZS,F RAOU
DeniAs. S aunderBsS,c( Hons), PhD
JonF jeldDsPah,i l MarkC layton CSIRO, Perth
HeadO,r ntiholoSgeyc tion CSIOR,C anberra
ZooliogcaMlu seumC,o penhagen RicharScdh oddBeS,c ( Hons), PhD, CFAOU
J. JC.o unsilmMaAn , CSIROC,a nberra
RichaJrodr daDni,p EdB,S c UniversiotfQy u eenslaBnrdi,s bane
RoyaAlu stralaOsrniitahno logUinsitosn , KennetShi mpsoMnS,c
BarreGnr oundJsa,m beroo FranCkr ome,B Sc( HonsA)R MIT BurwooSdt aCtoel lege, Melbourne
CSIOR,A therton
GregJ onesB,S c( Hons) FreSdm ith
StepheDna vieBsA,, P hD,F RAOU
RichaTr.dK ingsforBdS,c RoyaAlu stralaOsrintaihno logUinsitosnP ,e rth G.TS.m ithP,h D
DepartmoefnZ to ologUyn,i versoifSt yyd ney CSIOR,P erth
H.Jd.e S .D isneMyA,
JohnL iddy FranSkt ewart
DouglDa.sD ow,P hD
IanJ amesM ason UniversoifQt uye enslaBnrdi,s bane ProfessRoorb erStt orer
DivisioofWn i ldlainfed R angelaRnedsse arch, UniversoifMt iyc higAannn,A rbo,Mr ichigan,
CSIOR,C anberra JuliFaonr dB,S cP, hD,C FAOU USA
WesterAnu stralIinasnt iotfuT teceh noloPgeyr,t h
Richard NoMsSkce , G.Fv.a nT etsM,A ,P hD
DepartmeofnZ to ologUyn,i versoifNt eyw JosepMh. Forshaw CSIOR,C anberra
EnglanAdr,m idale Australian NPaatrikaosnn daW li ldlSiefrev ice,
Canberra W.J.MV.e stjens
BriaOn' Gorman CSIOR,C anberra
PeteFru llagBaSrc,P, hD
GerrCy. O 'NeilBlA,p pSc CSIOR,C anberra StepheJn.W ilson
NortheTrernr itoCroyn servaCtoimomni ssion,
AlicSep rings H.B.G ill RichaZradn nB,S cP, hD,D ipEd
CSJROC,a nberra LaT robUen iversMietlyb,o urne
DaviCd. P atonB,S c( HonsP)h,D
DepartmeofnZ to ologUyn,i versoifAt dye laide WarreHni tchcock TheN atioPnhaolt ogrIanpdheioxfcA ustraBliiradns
(noNwa tuFroec uwsa)st heso urocfne e aralltylh e
LestLe.rS horPth,D S.GL.a neE,D ,C olon(eRLl ) photogrraepphrso diuntc heidbs o oakn dt he existence
AmericMauns eumo fN aturHailso try,
NewY ork HughL averMyS,c ,P hD,M Ec ofc hihsu ger eferceonlclee cgrteiaoyt nsl implified
thper ocoefsfi sn diinlgl ustrTahtepi uobnlsi.sa hreer s
NationPaalr kasn dW ildleiS ferviBcrei,s bane
gracetfotu hlet rustteheets h,e Enx ecutive Officer,
GraemeT .S mithB,S c( HonsP)h,D
DivisioofWn i ldlainfdeR angelaRnedsse arch, ArnolMdc GilOlA,, F RAOU Mr A.OT.r ounsaonnd,t hes taofff t heN PIfo r
CSIOR,P erth thecior- operTahteiyao lnst.oh anmka nyo thewrhso
JohnM cKean assiisntt ehdep roducotfit ohnfe i resdti toifot nh is
SoniCa. T idemanDni,p TM,S c,P hD NortheTrernr itCoornys ervaCtoimomni ssion, booikn clutdhitenr gu sotfet ehAseu straMluisaenu m,
ConsertviaoCno mmissiooftn h eN orthern Darwin SydneMyr; S tephMeanr chatnhte,en d itoofEr m u;
TerritDoarryw,i n MrR onaOlrde nstMeuisne,uo mfZ ooloUgnyi,v ersity
G.M acleaPnh,D ,D Sc ofM ichigMarn ;J ohnW arhamD,e partmoefn t
RichaWreda therly UniversoifNt ayt aPli,te ermaritzburg, Zoology,U niverosfCi atnyt eyrb;Mur Jr ohMnc Kean,
SoutAhf rica CSIR,OC anberFroart. h isse coenddi tifuornt,h er
EdwarWdy ndhamP,h D thangkots o M sS ueB rigDgrsP ,e tFeurl laDgraP rhi,l
DepartmeonfZt o ologUyn,i versoifNt eyw IanJ amesM ason LaddM,s PennOyl seMnr, IanR owleDyr,A .A.
EnglanAdr,m idale CSJROC,a nberra
SaundMerrK su,r Tth alaenrdD rG eravrad'n l ees.
Foerword
Australbiiar'dcsso mmandw orldwiadtet entfoirot nh eivra ri,ec toylouarn di ndividuatlhie_tay yr;e
justifiaas boluyr coefn atiopnraild peo,p ularityc-oanncde rMno.r et ha7n0 0d ifferesnpte cioecsc ur
nautralilnyA ustrafillilai,in tges c ologinciaclh es nloio kteh evre rtebrTahteersae.r eg littefraiinrgy
wrenasn dr obinpsr,e datoowrlyas n dh awksm,o und-bulidinmge gapodegsi,a nkti ngfishecrusc,k oos
and cassowsapreicetsa,c luylraerb iarnddsa , h osotf w aterfoawnld w aders.
Australdioam'isn ant birds-its acnodc pkaartrooothsso ,n eeyaterbso,w erbirndosc,t nuarl
frogmouthksi,n gfishaenrdsr obin-whistleforusn-doa nrn eo o thecro ntinoernb ta relyJ ussoht.o w
singultahre ya rei so nlyn ow beirnega lisaefdt,e2 r0 0y earosf s tu.dB yecausseo m anyo ft hem
resemble Eur'acsoiuannt erpianar ptpse'a ranAcues,t ralbiiarndh sa db eent houghttoh avei mmi
gratiends uccesswiavvee frso m thagtr eacto ntinent.
Butm oleculraers earch-sptriellli minaanrdyi nn eedo ff urthteers ting-sugtgheastrth se ir
similarairteai ceicsd entsailm,p lrye flecting convergenti nba idlaalpn tdpa ltuimoangtse ot hes ame
lifset ylMeosr.e t hatnh aitt,s uggestthasAt u stral3i0a0o' rs more disffoenrgebnitar rdems o rec losely
relatteood n ea nothtehra nt oa nyp resumeadn cestoovresr seas.
Then ext fdeewc adweisl ble o fm ajoirm portanSccei.e ntisttsh eth aasvokefu nraveltlhinemg y s
teroyft heo rigionfos u rb irds-atnhdu fist tianngi mportpainetc ien ttoh ej igstahwa ttr actehsee vol
utioonfl ifoen e artAhn.d t hirse searwcihlb lr inagw idearp preciaotfti hoene nvironmiennw th ich
we livSeu.c hk nowledhgeel puss t o understthaeun ndi quenoefsAs u stralbiiar'dassn ,d t oi dentify
thosoefs pecicaoln cerKnn.o winhgo wt hehya vec opeadn db eens hapebdye nvironmiennt th ep ast,
wec anp ladne velopmoefnt th el anidn b etthearr monwyi tnha turient hefu tureT.h ati si,fw ew ant
qualiatswy e lals q uantiitnly fi e-anda landscanpoetb ereoffti tnsa titvree easn da nimals.
Thefu turoef o urb irdissl imitbeydt heihra bitFaotr.n e arallyol f t hem-thbei rdosfu ndisturbed
forestwsoo,d landpsl,a iannsd s wamps-thsei tuatciaonon n lsyt atyh es ameo rg etw orsnee,v ebre tt.e r
Thec ruciqaule stiioshn:o wm uchw orsdeo eist h avet og eth,o w mucmho rec hangcea nt herbee ,
beforsep eciaersel osTtw?o habitaartesp articulvaurlnleybr laeO.n ei st her ainforaelsotn tgh ee ast
coaswth icha,l thoubgahr ehlayl gfo nei,sv ersym aliln a reaan dv erryi cihn w ildliTfeh.e o theirs
theu nsunmga lleoent her ollipnlga ionfst hes ouhterinn lanOdv.e rt hree-quaritthe arsns o wobf e en
clearfoerd m arginwahle afta rminIgt.ms a ny unique birds-the MallePeaforwrloa,tn dR egent
MalleEem u-wreanm,o ngo the-rhsaveb eenc utt ot iniys,o lafrtaecdt ioonfts h eir npuamsbte rasn d
rangWeh.e ther they setniolulg hhha abviet att osl uerfvti ovnel,ty i mwei ltle ll-beuxtt inctmiuostn
bep eriloucslloysi enm ostr egionAslr.e adtyh eB lack-eaMriende hra s beveinr tuahlylbyr idiosuetd
ofe xistebnyct eh eo pening-ouftp h eM urraMya llee.
Oneo ft hem anyp urposoefts h ibso oki st op rovitdheei nformattihoanwt i lall logwe neraaplp reci
atioonft hel ifset yalned h abitnaete dosf A ustrabliiar'dFssr .o mt hem omenti ta ppeartehdeR, e ader's
DigesCto mpletBeo oko fA ustralBiiarndb se camteh ep acemakaesrt hem ostc omprehensive and
authoritoaftp iovpeu lraerf erentcote hse b irdosfo urc ontineInttas.u thorsitteym med-anso w
fromi tass sioactiwoint thh eC SIRO'Dsi visioofWn i ldliafnedR angeldasRn esearMcohs.t o ft hefi rst
editipounb,l ishien1d 9 76 ,w asc ompilbeyds taofff t heD ivisiiotnts;h enC hiefD,r H.J .F ritwha,s
consulteadnitt. o r
Thes econedd itisoene ktsom aintatihna stt andiintgis,n puitn creabsyem de mberosf t heD ivision
anda ugmetnedb ya dditifroonms other cnoenwt ribuwthoorsseh elwpe gratefauclklnyo wledge.
Becausfeew fi elgdu idewse ret heanv ailabtlheefi, r setd itifoena turiedde ntificantoitoeansn dt he
bioloogfoy u rb irdMsa.n yg aphsa ves incbee enfi lleadl,l owiunstg o s tretshse ihra bimtosr ew:h ere
thelyi vweh,a tt hefye eodn a ndh owt hebyr eeads,p ectse mnpohta sisienad n yo thepru blicaotni on
Australbiiarnd s.
The comprehensivoefnt ehsens e w texstp rinfrgosm a carefuupld ationfgi nformatifroonm
researocnah l slp eciReesa.d ewrhso s kimi tssu rfawcieln lo tiacteo ncteh ee xpandteedx tth,ec orrec
tionisnc lassification-tthheosauerg efh e w-andt hem anyc hangetsom apso fd istribubtaisoend,
ont heA tlaosfA ustralBiiarndj su sptu blisbhyet dh eR oyaAlu stralaOsrinaint hgoilsots Union. Others
whod igd eepewri lfiln dt hatth ea ccounotfms o sts peciheasv eb eenr eviseexdt ensiavnedlm ya ny
completreelwyr ittinecnl,u dianlagld ditiosnpaelc ies;o nens opte ciheassb eenl efutn adjusted.
RichaSrcdh odSdoean,C i .T idmeann
Canrbre1a9,8 6
CONTENTS
Par1tL AND OF BIRDS 8
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ . . . . . . . .
Whereb irdlsi v.e. . . .. . . . . . . . . ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.0. . . . . . . .
Par2t T HE LIFEO F BIRDS . . . 20
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . .
Thev ersatiolffei attyh er.s. . . .. . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . . . ...... . . .... . . .... . . . ... 22
Behaviotuhra dti stinguisspheecsi e. .s . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. ... .. . .. . .. . .. 2 .4 . . .
Migranatnsd n omads . . . . . . .. .. .... ...........................3.1. ......
How birdnsu'm berasr er egulat.e.d. . . . . . . . .. .. .. . .... . . . . . . ...... . . . ..... . . .. 32
Birdosf p rehistAoursitcr al. .i a. .. ..........................3.4. ......
Theo rigionfsA u stralbiiarnd s.. . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. . . .3.6.
Par3t B IRDSO F AUSTRALIA 40
. . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Naminga ndi dentifbyiinrgd s. ... . .. ... . . .. . . . .... . . . . . ...... . . ....... . . .... .4 2
EMUS,C ASSOWARIEASN D ALLIESS truthioniformes
EMUSD romaiida.e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............. . . . . . . ........ . . . . . . . . ..4. 4.
CASSOAWRIECSa suariid. a. e. . . . . ...... . .... . . . . . . ...... . . .... . . . ..... . . . . . .4.6.
TUBE-NOSEDS EABIRDPSr oclealriiformes
DIVING-PETPReElLeSc anoidi. d. a. e. . . . . . . . ....... . . . ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.8. . .
ALBARTOSSEDSi omedeid.a.e. . . .... . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . ...... ..... . . .. . . . . . ...4 .9
FULMARSP,E TREALNSD A LLIEPSr oecllarii.d.a.e. . . ....... . . . ... . . . . .... . . ... . . . . .5. 6
STORM-TPREELOSc enaitida..e. . .... . ... .. . ... . . . . ......... . ... .. . . . . ....... . .7 6
PENGUINSS phenisciformes
PENGUINSSp henisci.d.a.e. . . . . . . . . . . . ........... . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.9. . . .
GREBESA ND DABCHICKSP odicipediformes
GREBEPSo dicipedi.d.a.e. ................ ...... .. ....................8.2.
CORMORANTS,P ELICANSA ND ALLIESP elecaniformes
TROPIICRBDPSh aethonti.d.a.e. .... . . . . .... . . . . . . ...... . . .... . . . . . . . ...... . .8.4
FRIGATEBIFRrDeSg atid.a.e. . . ...... . .... . ...... . . .. .. . . . . . ... ... . ... .... . . .8.6
CORMORANATNSD S HAGPSh alaccrooracid.a .e .. . . . . .. .. .. . . . .. .....8.8
DARTERASn hingida. e. . . ..... . . . ... . . . . . . . . .. .. .. . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . ....... .9.3
GANNETASN DB OOBISEuSl ida.e. . .. .... . ...... . .... . . ........ . . . .. . .... . . .. . . 9. 4
PELICAPNeSl ecani.d .a e.. ... . . ... . . . .. . . . . . .. . . .. .. .. .. . .. ... ... ... .9.7.
HERONS,I BISESST,O RKSA ND ALLIESC iconiiformes
HERONASN DB ITTERANrSd eida.e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... ... . . . . .... . . .. . . .9.8
STORKCSi coniid..ae. . .... .... ........ ... . . . ..... . . .... . . . . . . ...... . ..... .1 08
IBISAENSD S POONBIPLlLaSt alei.d. a. e.. . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......1. 0. 9. . .
DAY-ACTIVEB IRDSO F PREY Falconiformes
KITEHSA,W KSA ND EAGLES Accip.i.t..r.i.d.a. e.. .. ... . . . . ....... . . .... . . . . . . .1.1.4
FALCONFSa lconid..a.e. ... . . .. . . . . . .... . .... . . ...... . . . .... . . . . . . . . . .....1 .32
DUCKS,G EESE,SC REAMERSA ND ALLIESA nseriformes
MAGPIGEE ESAEn seranati.d .a .e. . . . . . .. . . .. .. .. .. . . ... ... ... .. ......1.3.6.
GEESES,WA NSA NDD UCKSA natida.e. . . . . . . . . ........ ... . . . . . .. .. ... . .. . . . .... .1 38
MEGAPODES,Q UAILS, PHEASANATNSD ALLIESG alliformes
MOUND-BUILDMEeRgSa podiid.a.e. .... . . . . . . . . . . . .... ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.5.8. .
QUAILASN DA LLIEPSh asianid.a.e. . . . . ...... . .. .. . . .... . . . . . . .... ..... . . .... .1 62
BUTTON-QUAILSR,A ILSC,R ANES,B USTARDSA ND ALLIESG ruiformes
BUTTON-QUATIuLrSn icid.a.e. . . . .. .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ . . . . ..1. .68
RAILASN DA LLIES Ral.l.i.d.a.e. . . . . . .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . ........ . . . . . . . . . . . .1.7.3. .
BUSTRADSO tidid.a.e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .'.. ........ .................18.3. ....
CRANEGSr uida.e.. ... . ...... . . . . . . . . . . . .... .. .... .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.8.4. .
JACANAJSa canid.a.e.. . . . . . .......... ........... . . ...... . . . . .... . . ........1 86
PLOVERSW,A DERS,G ULLS AND AUKS Charadriiformes
PAINTESDN IPREo stratul.i.d..a.e. ... . . . .... . ... . . . . .... . . . . . . ......... . . . . .1.8 7
0YSTERCATCHHEaReSm atopodid.a .e . . . .. .... ....... .................1.8.8. .
PLAIN-WSANDERER Pedionomid.a.e. ..... . .... . . .. .. . . . . .... . .... . . .. ... . . .. .. 190
STILATNSD A VOCETRSe curvirostr. .i d.a e. . . .. . . .. . .. . ... .. .. . . . . .. .. . 1. 9 1. . . .
STON-ECURLWES Burhinid.a.e. . ... . . . .... . ... . . . . . . . . . ......... . . . . . .. .. . . .. 194
PRATINCOGLlEaSr eoli.d.a.e. .... . .. . . . .. .. . ... .. . . .... . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . .1.9.6.
PLOVERASN DD OTTERELS Charad.r.i.i..d..a.e.. .... . .... . . . . . ....... . . . . . ..... 198
SANDPIPAENRDSA LLIES Scolop.a.c.i..d.a.e. . . ..... .. ... . . . ..... ... . . . . . .... ..2 07
GULLST,E RNASN DS KUALSa rida.e. .. . . . ... . . ..... . . ... . . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . .... 228
PIGEONSD,O VESA ND ALLIESC olumbiformes
PIGEONASN DD OVECSo lumbida. .e .. . . . ................................2.4 8
PARROTSA ND COCKATOOS Psitcitfaormes
PARROTASN DC OCKTAOOSP sittaci.d.a.e. ... .. ............2.7.3. .
CUCKOOS,T URACOSA ND HOATZINSC uculiformes
CUCKOOKSO.E LASN DC OUCALSC uculida.e. ........... ... .. ..............3.1 9
OWLS Strigiformes
HAWK-ANDM ASKED-OWSLtSr igid.a.e. ...........'.. ..... ...............3.2.8. ...
FROGMOUTHS AND NIGHTJARSC aprimulgiformes
FROGMOUTHPSo dargid.a.e' . ....' ...........................3.3.5. ..
OwLET-NIGHTAJeAgRoSt heli.d .a e. . . .. . . . . .. .....3.3 8
NIGHTJACRaSp rimulgi.d .a e.. . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . ... ..3 3.9 . . . . . . . . .
SWIFTSA ND HUMMINGBIRDS Apodiformes
SWIFTASp odida.e. ............. .. . .....' .'. ..................3.4.2. ...
KINGFISHERS, ROLLHEORRSN,B ILLSA ND ALLIESC oraciiformes
KINGFISHAElRcSe dinid. .a e. . . . . ... .. .... . .. . .. .. . .. . .. ..............3.4 4
BEE-EATMEeRrSo pidae . . . . . . . . . ... . ... .. . .. ... ... ... ... .. ......3. 5.6
ROLLERCSo raciid. a.e . . . .. . . .. . ... .... ... .. . . . . . . .. .. ... ... ... ...3 ..5 .7. . .
PERCHINGO R SONGBIRDSP asseriformes
PITTAPSi ttid.a .e . . . . . .. .' . ...................................3.5.8
LYREBIRMDeSn urida.e. .. . . . . . . ...... .. .. .. . . . .... . . . . . . '.. .. .............3 60
ScRuB-BIRDASt richornith.i.d.a.e.. .. . . . . . . . . . . ........ ..... . . . . . .. .. . ... .. .3 62
LARKSA laudida. .e . .. . . .. . . ... .. .. ... .... . .. .... .. . . . . . . .. 3..6 .4 . .
SWALLOWASN DM ARTINHSi rundinid. .a e. . . . . ... .. ... ...............3.6.6. ...
PIPIATNSD W AGTAILMSo tacilli.d..a.e. . ... . . . . . .. .. . . . .... . ... ' . . ..... ..'3.7 0
CUCKOO-SHRITKREISL,L EARNSDM INIVECTaSm pephagid.a.e. . . . . . . . . . ............ . .3 72
BULBULPSy cnonoti.d.a' e . . . . . . . . . .. ........................3 78
OLDW ORLDF LYCATCHAENRDSA LLIEMSu sciacpidae . . . . . . . .'.. .. ..........3.7.9.
AUSTRALIRAONB INWSH,I STLEARNSDF LYCATCHEPRaSc hycephal.i.d.a.'e. .....'.. . ....3.8 2
CHOWCHILLQAUSAI,L- THRUSHAENSD A LLIEOSr thonychi.d.a.e. . . ....... . .... . . . ..... 422
AUSTRALIBAANB BLEPRoSm atostomat.i . .d ae .. ............'. ..'.. . .....4.2 9
OLDW ORLDW ARBLERSSy lviid.a.e.. . .. .. . . ... . . . ....... . ... . . . . ...... . . . . . .. 4.32
FAIRY-WRAENNDSA LLIEMSa lurida.e . . .... .................................4 36
SCRUBWRETNHSO,R NBIALNLDSA LLIEASc anthizi.d.a.e. . ... . ... . ...' .. .'. .......4.5.2.
SITTELLAS Neosittidae . . . . . . . . . . . ............ . . .... . ... . . . . ..4. 82
AUSTRALIAN TREECCRlEiEmPaEcRtSe ri. .d ae . .. .'. ..........................4 84
HONEYEATEMReSl iphagi.d.a.e. . . .... . . .. . . . . . . . . . ........ . ..... . . . . . . . . .4.9.0.
AUSTRALICAHNA TSE pthianuri. .d ae .. ................5.4.4
SuNBIRADNSD A LLIENSe ctarinii. .d ae .. ................5.4.8
FLOWERPECKDEiRcSa eidae . ''. ........................................5 50
PARDALOTEPSa rdaloti.d.'a . e. .... .'.. ...............................'5.5.1. ...
WHITE-EYZEoSs teropi.d .a .e . ... ... . . .. . .. . .. . .. ......................5.5.6
FINCHEFSr ingill.i.d.a'. e . ....... ' ............................ '.5.5.8. ..
WEAVERASN DA LLIEPSl ocdeaie .... . .... . . . . .... . ..' .........5.6.0
STARLINAGNSDM YNAHSS turnidae ... . . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . . . ........ .. . . .5.8 1
ORIOLAESN DF IGBIRODrSi olid.a.e. . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... '. ... .. . . . .5 8.4 ' .
DRONGODSi crurid.a.e.' . ...............'.. ....... .................5.8.7. ....
BOWERBIRPDtSi lonorhynch. .i dae .. .'. ..........................5.8.8. ......
BIRDS-OFR-APDAISE Paradisaei.d.a..e. .... ... . . . . . . ...... ... . ... ... . . . ...... . 5. 97
AusTRALIMAUND -NESTECRoSr coraci.d.a.e. ... ... . . . .... . . . ...... ... . . . . . . .....6 00
MAGPIE-ALRKSG rallinid. .a e. . ... . . . . . . . . . ... ... .. ... .............6.0.2. ..
WooDSWLALOWSAr tamida.e . . . . . .. .... ..... .........................6.0.3.
BuTCHERBIARNDDSc uRRWAONGSC ractici.d.a.e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................ . .6 08
CRowsJ,A YASN DA LLIECSo rvida.e . . .... .............................6..1 .4. ..
Rarev isitoerssc,a pecda ptivaensdu nsuccesisnfturlo duct.i.o.n.s.. '. .......6.1.8
Par4t T HE FAMILIESO F BIRDS . . .. 620
. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .
Classificabtyio ornd earn dfa mily. . .. ... .. .. ....................6.2.2.
Indeoxf E nglinsahm es . . .. .....................................6.3.0. ..
Indeoxf s cientniafimce s. .. . ... .. . . . . ... . ... . . . . . . . . . . . ... ..6 3.4 . . . . .
Furthienrf ormati. .o n. .. .. .. .. . . . . . .. . .. . .. ... ... .... .... ... .. .....6.37.
Acknowledgmen.t.s. . . . . ........ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ....... . . . . . . . . .......... .6 38
Patr1
8
LAND OF BIRDS
9
Whereb irdlsi/ v 1e
Poweorffl igphatr,t ipchuylsairo laodgaipctaaaltn iadop nrso tecBecaiuetsx et efnrdostm h ter optiotc hsceo otle mpaetrree gion,
ticvoeao tffe athhearvesen abblierdtd ors e aacnhed x plaom yirt thAeu satlricaonn tionfeefrnbsti radw si drea nogfee n voinrments.
iadl aonfad n wda thearb itatesn-votinhrmee nitns whichT htiahsce cyo ufonrmt usc ohf rtihdceih v erisnAiu tsyt rbailrlidia f'es .
livEea.cs hp echiaeisst o sw np reerfenhcoensbe,yd a daptattoi Hoonw evtehrle,a tiitunwd heiAscu hs ltrisaai atnstd,h lea ndfoofr ms
particulapre rhfoacopodsms p,e tiatnidbo ycn h,a ngients h et hceo ntilniemnitt,v atrhiaeen tddy i striobfui tteisno vonin r
Eartchl'ismo avtemera ntyh ousoafn dyseA asar r se.s duilefftr,e nmte ntasn;sd o miem porhtaabnitat raet sp roeoprrleys ented.
specuisetesh ehiarb iitnda itef rfewnaty s. Ausltiriaams a infllyaT th.ea rrefe e rwa ngaensnd o r eahlilgyh
Thearrefoe u r bsatsrigacit eFesi.rt shte arrete h obsier tdhsa tm ountainhsi-gthhMeest Kt o,s ciuissok nol,2y 2 08 metres.
rantgher oauv gahr ioefht ayb iwtiatthseo vuetmr o vifanrgT. h e Consequtehlneat nlidyps o oirna lpainnmdeo ntahnaeb itats.
WilWlaigeat ilo nieos,c curwrhienrgei vhtea rss o moep egnr oundT hec ontiinasel nsator id.p eScrie xnttiy rt oe fc elievtsehssa n
forp erchainfndlg y t-cchaiMnogss.te denbtiarrudyts i laiv sairn2g5 0m ileltirmoefrs a iany easrov, e getaitssi poanro sveev ra st
ietoyfh abitaarnteos n ethueslueasclsel nyt irneo dn eT.h usa,r eaTsh.ea nnurauln f-o offw atecro rrestpooa n ddesp tohf
althotuhEgeah s tYeelrlnoR wo biifonsu nfrdo mc oasrtaaiolnr fes3t3 m iilmletres-cowmiptaahnar veedr a2g4e 9 oimfm ieltlforre s
toc ypress wionoldailnitadms n,o d sw ti desparneadab du ndiann atlt lhl ea nsdu rfoaftc hewesor lNdo.st u rpnrgilwsyei,t lanAduss in
thien tervweenetiu ncga lfoyrpteths ahtta s sh ruubnbdyre storetyr.aa lrireaa tlhierm ited.
Then tahreterh eo bsier tdhsa wta nder ,ws iodmeeelv yen Thmeo satr pida rotf ctohnet iinaseg nrtec aetn tzroanle which
migraStuicnahgr t.eh aee rfieaeld erssw-titsahfn esd w awlslo issu rroubnymd oerdoe rl ecsosn cebnatnrodifsic n creraasiinng
whosees senhtaibaiilt sat ths ek yi tlsfTe.h eM istletoiesbf iartldol w ards the cotahsheta .b iIfotrnab tisgr ednse reba elc om
anot,hfo elrlowtihnfegr i utinigt fsoo fop dl anwthse retvheeryi ncrealsuixnugralisya nrttah ien ifanlclr ewaisttehhs re e sult that
occ.uM rany dneosmeardts -rtahte- eLaettitnegr -Kwiitnegt,eh dei raseg readtievre rosfbi itrtydo sw atrhdwese ttceora sdtiasl
seed-eatinagn BdCu dogcekra,iat gninadeer lc tariBvloarcoku tsar nidFc rtostm.h cee ntre coofn ttithnheee n ts equence of habitats
PieHdo neyeerast-afloslol oewr rtahfteli ucso hfte hse fioro dsb,e giwnists ha nsdp,i nainfedax r imdu lga woaonddrl aanngde s
froms teppem ualwngodao dlatnomd asl lees painndi fex. throMuigthc ghrealsls mlaalnldse,ee m,i -waoroiddl aanntdde m
Therea latsrhoeo se biursdes s tathmhheeaa tb iitnda itff erepnetr aatntedr opwiocoadll taosn cdl erophyll forests.
plaactde isff erentF otriemmaeomsso.tnt gh eamr mei grabnitrsd,s
thastht is feasloybn,oa tlwhit hianno du tA uosfat lrimaa,k itnhge W hatm anh asd one
besuts eo ft hefioro rde sourScoeem sar.we a de-rcsurleAwlsl, htahbeti sti anA ustiraha alvbee eanl tesriendEc uer opean
sandpiapnedpr lvsoe rs-that onsA uumtsmrearls ihaonra ensd settlbeemgeanNnto. nh ea bse ecno meptledleys trbouysteo dm e,
retutrotn h beo retauln deraacsh tyobe raere d. iOntchleursdsue c ahs s ubtrorpaiiocnrafelas ntd m allheaev,be e egnrv aely
water sfuocwahlst ,h Reu foNuisg hHte roGnl,o sIsbyia sn dd epleNtaetdu.gr raals shlaavnbede seg nr azbeysd t oacnkdr a b
Hardhwehaidrc ehf uignte h sew amlpa nodfns o rthAeursnt rabliitaasn ,dt hesipre cciofmipco shiatbsie oenan l tewroeodd;l ands
unttihleM urrya-Darlbiansgif nl ooadnsdr evibvreese dihnagvb ee erne movoerrd e plbaycc erdoo prts h inonuefotdr p asture;
grounTdhset.nh earreie n seocrtelisiev tk hRea inbBoewea -teerf,o rehsatvbsee elno ggoerrd e plbaycp elda ntaotfi oenxcsoo tniic
NoiFsryi arYbelilrodw,- Hfaocneedy ,ea antMdea rskaendWd h itefersh;e athlhaanvdes c bheuernun peb dym inimnagn;g roavneds
broweWodo dswaltlhoawmtsi grafrtoem s outhteorm ni dmudflhaatvbsee epno llwuitteihdn dusetfflruieanaltn ssd;w amps
northAeursantl riwaoond laenadcwsh i n.tF erirupti geons-Fhlaovbceek ed nr aitnoe dp reoxvtigrdraea zoirn gct,oo n trolf owra ter
anWdh ite-hPeiagdeeoadnn std, hR eo se-crForwunietd- Doivrerigoarht yidorno -eploewcetrr.i c
follotwhs ee asfrouniatlui pan ngdd o wtnh eea csotta r sainforeIsftt hse.ir sme u cahl tertaoat h iaobni tthabeti rsdpse ciatloi sed
Thecno mteh see denbtiarrdys , wshpilecichvi eey sea arlrol u ndl itvhee arrede i sposasnepdse sreiFdse hwr. a infobrierscdatssn u r
ino ne hawbhiettrahete o yf tent ehrorlidtt hoeartxi celsou tdhee rvsi vtehc el eaorfti hnegi r TchoeMv aelrfl.oe wecla nnwoitt hstand
of tkhieniRdro. c Wka rlbelrisov nel oynt hHea wkessbaunrdys hegerpa ztihnmega llienwe h iiclthi vAensd. spinifex-inhabiting
stone escarpments;l iBvoreno lwiynn s uGbetrryogpboiincresadsuls c a hss evegrraals swarneednm su -wraernes bouurbtny t
rainfoMraengsrto;vR eo bilnisvo en liyn m angroEvyerse;a finr elsi tp rtoov ide gfroesret no cpki.c k
Grasswlrievonens l iync anea-sgsr-sptiunsisfeoxoc nsk asn d Howevseormb,e i rfdisns du itlaibvlsiepn agic nte h ael tered dis
duneasn;dC omb-crJeasctaelndia vosen loynl agogornosw itnrgi acntdes x painnbd o trha nagnend umb.Te hreG alaChr,e sted
water olnwi hliitcehhse c ya wna lk. PigeaonnAd u strMaalgipafoinre i ,n stahnacvgeer, e aitnlcyr eased
Asa r ulteh,me o rree liwaabtleytr heheda bitthaheti ,g hietrsi nn umbebresc aoufs est hhoer toefn igtnrhgae os nts h pel aainnds
proporotfri eosni sdpeenctIi neA su.sa tlriraa,io nrefissht i ghetshtpe r oviosfsi toonwc akt ientr h aer izdo nbee,c autsheae b oufn
witahl mo9s0pt e cre notfs peciesr ysL.eo dweeinsnrtt ea siddeanntoc fge r atioen a itnt hweh ebaetl atn,bd e caoufs ect lheea ring
specairteehs he a biotfa tatsrh ieid n laanrdo:u5 n0pd e cre nt.o ro peniwnogo dolfaa nndfodsr esatrso utnhdmeo rheu micdo ast.
Averagaen nuarla infall
c::J
� Over1 00m0m
Lando ve5r0 0m
C::=J �
750-IOOOmm 250-499mm
� �
500-749mm Under250mm
MucohfA ustrraelcielaie vtsehss2a 5n0m mo f raya eianar n,td h aen nual
Thearrefe e rwa nagnesd rneoah lilgmyho untianAiu nssti raa.l run-ioosffn l3y3m m,c ompatroaew do ralvde roafg29e4m m.A sa
Consequiietpsn ot olirytn r ulya anmldop nitnhaean bei tats. reswuelttl aarnnedo set x tensive.
10
