Places to go: Birding in Australia's Northern Territory is just as much about the bird as it is about the location

1 September 2024
Sponsored Feature By Alex James
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Australia's absolutely beautiful resident, the splendid fairy-wren
 
The Northern Territory is home to expansive and varying eco-systems from desert, savannah woodlands, and sandstone plateau to wetlands, mangrove and monsoon forests. It also welcomes unique weather patterns – a perfect combination that brings in over 400 bird species.

​Here at Bird-Watchers.com we decided to take a closer look at the endearing charm of a place which remains a Mecca for experienced birders the world over.

Home of rare bird species
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Several bird species are native and unique to the NT, including the White-throated Grasswren, White-lined Honeyeater, Hooded Parrot, Chestnut-Quilled Rock Pigeon, Banded Fruit-Dove, Partridge Pigeon (Red-faced) and Helmeted Friarbird. A further 14 rare species, including the Gouldian Finch, can also be spotted throughout the territory.

For those keen to know more about local bird species or if you are just getting the itch for bird watching, head to one of the wildlife parks in the Northern Territory to gain an close encounter with a variety of species from the qualified bird handling specialists.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Bird watching in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a remarkable place to spot over 150 species, including rare birds like the scarlet-chested parrot and the Great honeyeater. Birds such as the Brown falcon and the Grey-headed honeyeater can be spotted in the park, in fact the Grey-headed honeyeater can be seen at the Mutitjulu waterhole so make sure you keep an eye out for it.

Kakudu National Park

Kakadu National Park is home to one third of Australia’s bird species, with at least 60 species found in the wetlands alone. Take full advantage of being here and join a Yellow Water cruise to spot Whistling Kite, Orange-Footed Scrubfowl, Azure Kingfisher, Jacana, egrets, Jabiru and Brolgas. A sunrise or sunset tour can be magical times of the day, plus keep an eye out for crocodiles.

Alice Springs

Whether it’s the raucous screech of a cockatoo or the melodic call of a pied butcher bird, the sight of dashing emus or the vivid plume of a hundred budgerigars flying overhead, birdlife is a prominent part of life in the Red Centre.
With diverse landscapes of desert, spinifex plains, mulga woodlands, rocky outcrops and waterholes, it’s not surprising that around 180 species of bird reside in the habitat surrounding Alice Springs.

The Greater Katherine Region

Home to around 240 bird species, the greater Katherine region will give you an insight into a world of flight and colour and inspire you to start your own list of rare birds. West of Katherine in the grassy plains of Timber Creek you’ll find Black Kites and Red-Tailed Black Cockatoos. Travel southeast and wander through the thermal springs of Mataranka amongst nests of rare Red Goshawks and the Sacred Kingfisher.

Bird Checklist - Superstars 🤩
  • ​Scarlet-chested parrot
  • Great honeyeater
  • Brown falcon
  • Grey-headed honeyeater
  • Rainbow bee-eater
  • Red-backed kingfisher
  • Splendid fairy-wren
  • Red-capped robin 
 
For those keen to know more about local bird species in the NT or if you are just getting the itch for bird watching, head to the Northern Territory Website to get more detail on Australia's birding jewel.

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