Wetland Birds and Wader Birds

• Wetlands and Waders Festival Intro
• Wetland Birds and Wader Birds
• Full Program of Events
• Press Releases
• Location Map
• For Children, Parents and Teachers
• Program of Events Brochure (PDF 1.1MB)
• Festival, Birds & Map (PDF 416K)

Following is a selection of the Wetland Birds and Wader Birds that might be seen – no guarantees, mind you, given the flighty nature of the species. Each time you go bird watching it will be a new experience – not all of these birds listed below will be seen in the one location. (Click here for a map.)

* Denotes a migratory Wader species

Red-necked Avocet.

Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae) *

The stunning red neck and head of the Red-necked Avocet makes it easy to spot and recognise.

It feeds in the shallows of wetlands and lakes for tiny aquatic insects, worms and crustaceans.

Unlike the Black-winged Stilt, the Red-necked Avocet has partially webbed feet enabling it to swim and so gather food in deeper waters.

Look for its strange upturned bill, an important utensil for stirring water and sediment to detect prey.

Common Greenshank.

Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) *

Greenshanks arrive in late August and September each year and, apart from a few non-breeders who remain behind, fly back to the Northern Eurasian breeding grounds through April and May. Females often pair up with the same male as the previous year and beautiful mating displays take place.

A ringing alarm call and eye-catching white underbelly will help you recognise this Wader. Its wings, crown and neck are all streaked white, and from its crown upper back the feathers are grey-brown.

The Greenshank wades in mud and water up to the depth of their legs and rarely swims; it feeds mainly on insects, crustaceans, worms, tadpoles, frogs and small fish.

Red-necked Stint.

Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis) *

As the smallest of Australia’s migratory birds weighing in at a petite 30 grams, the Red-necked Stint is small enough to fit inside a wine glass. Despite its small size it still manages to make the annual flyway journey, which is a distance of approximately 15,000km one way! The Red-necked Stint can live for up to 20 years and in its lifetime it will fly the same distance as that between the earth and the moon.

The breeding plumage of the Red-necked Stint gives the bird it name. Throughout the rest of the year the bird's plumage provides good camouflage, with a grey back and white underneath.

It has a short straight bill, short legs and is quite plump in shape. Flocks of thousands of birds can be seen in flight, looking like schools of fish as they weave their way along, constantly changing direction.

Great Egret.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

Measuring 76 cm to 1m the Great Egret is the largest of Australia’s egrets. For most of the year the overall plumage is white. The facial skin and bill are yellow, while the legs and feet are dark olive-grey. During the breeding season, October to February, the facial skin becomes green, the bill turns black and filamentous plumes appear from the back to below the tail.

Look for the Great Egret in areas of shallow water including damp grassland. Great Egrets feed on fish, molluscs, small reptiles and aquatic insects. Watch as it waits motionless or slowly stalks its prey. Great Egrets will spear prey with their long sharp bill.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper .

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
(Calidris acuminata) *

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper breeds in the high Arctic tundra and can be found during the southern summer in Indonesia, New Guinea, Aoteraroa/New Zealand and here in South Australia.

The wader often prefers inland and freshwater wetlands, although if you are lucky you might spot some in the shallows waterways of the Coorong.

The distinguishing feature is that it retains its flecked plumage throughout the year.

The breast and flanks are covered with streaks and v-shaped markings that provide good camouflage in the low grass.

Royal Spoonbill.

Royal Spoonbill (Platelea regia)

The Royal Spoonbill is a large bird (72-78 cm) with white feathers, black legs and feet, and black skin behind the eyes. It has a distinctive 20 cm long black bill shaped like a spoon. Look for this bird sweeping its bill from side to side as it feeds on fish, frogs, crabs and shellfish.

The Royal Spoonbill lives in brackish and freshwater wetlands, and the shallow parts of lakes and rivers. It is found over most of Australia, except in the southern part of Western Australia and the dry interior.

In the breeding season, from September to November, long white feathers stick out from the back of the head.

White-faced Heron.

White-faced Heron
(Egretta novaehollandiae)

The White-faced Heron is mostly light blue-grey in colour, with a distinctive white face and has a length of 66-69 cm. The pointed bill is grey-black, and the feet and legs are dull olive-yellow. Look for white around the eyes and a white stripe on the throat. Listen for a harsh, gravely croak.

The White-faced Heron is found throughout Australia. Look for herons anywhere there is water, from coastal reefs and tidal mudflats to moist grasslands. It feeds on a variety of prey including insects, fish, small reptiles, snails and molluscs.

In the breeding season, from October to December, White-faced Herons have long feathers on the head, neck and back.

Bar-tailed Godwit.