Birds of the NT

We’re pretty lucky up here, the big wetlands, isolated monsoon pockets and escarpment areas form niche birding habitats and there’s plenty to see.

There’s 8 species that you can’t see anywhere else in the world. It’s the only place you’ll find Banded Fruit Dove, Rainbow Pitta or a Purple-crowned Fairy-wren.

Jabiru is actually a Portuguese word, which translates to ‘black-necked stalk’, but ask any bushman and he’ll refer to them as ‘Policemen’, because they always appear to be standing on guard.

You see Brolgas on the wetlands doing a dance. Sometimes they’ll throw up a stick, reaffirming their partner bond.

Magpie Geese work in trios, a male and two females. An extra set of eyes looking and guarding the young ones from predators.

Once Jacana chicks hatch, it’s the males that do the child rearing. He’ll put them up underneath his wings and walk across the lilypads to where he wants to go.

If you whistle the words ‘walk to work’, that is the call of the Rainbow Pitta. It’s a high pitched, distinctive shrill you hear echoing in monsoon forests.

Black-breasted Buzzards are nest robbers. They use rocks to crack open eggs, in particular emu eggs, and eat the insides.

When you get a flash of the Orange Chat flying through the pastels of the desert, it really stands out, you can’t miss it.

The Rufous-crowned Emu-wren has a long tail and not a lot of colour on its feathers. It’s a real thrill to find, as it’s notoriously hard to spot.

Find a spot anywhere in the NT just before dawn to hear the waking chorus of birds. Shut your eyes and just listen.