Birds of the Darwin Region is the first comprehensive treatment of the avifauna of Darwin, a city located in Australia's monsoon tropics, where seasons are defined by rainfall rather than by temperature. With its mangrove-lined bays and creeks, tidal mudflats, monsoon rainforests, savanna woodlands and freshwater lagoons, Darwin has retained all of its original habitats in near-pristine condition, and is home or host to 323 bird species. Unlike other Australian cities, it has no established exotic bird species. Following an introduction to the history of ornithology in the region and a detailed appraisal of its avifauna, species accounts describe the habitats, relative abundance, behaviour, ecology and breeding season of 258 regularly occurring species, based on over 500 fully referenced sources, and original observations by the authors. Distribution maps and charts of the seasonality of each species are presented, based on a dataset comprising almost 120,000 records, one-third of which were contributed by the authors. Stunning colour photographs adorn the accounts of most species, including some of the 65 species considered as vagrants to the region. This book is a must-read for professional ornithologists and amateur birders, and an indispensable reference for local biologists, teachers and students, and government and non-government environmental agencies, as well as other people who just like to watch birds.

Birds of the Darwin Region is the first comprehensive treatment of the avifauna of Darwin, a city located in Australia's monsoon tropics, where seasons are defined by rainfall rather than by temperature. With its mangrove-lined bays and creeks, tidal mudflats, monsoon rainforests, savanna woodlands and freshwater lagoons, Darwin has retained all of its original habitats in near-pristine condition, and is home or host to 323 bird species. Unlike other Australian cities, it has no established exotic bird species. Following an introduction to the history of ornithology in the region and a detailed appraisal of its avifauna, species accounts describe the habitats, relative abundance, behaviour, ecology and breeding season of 258 regularly occurring species, based on over 500 fully referenced sources, and original observations by the authors. Distribution maps and charts of the seasonality of each species are presented, based on a dataset comprising almost 120,000 records, one-third of which were contributed by the authors. Stunning colour photographs adorn the accounts of most species, including some of the 65 species considered as vagrants to the region. This book is a must-read for professional ornithologists and amateur birders, and an indispensable reference for local biologists, teachers and students, and government and non-government environmental agencies, as well as other people who just like to watch birds.

Groote Eylandt is Australias fourth largest island, nestled in the Gulf of Carpentaria, some 45 kilometres from the coast of Arnhem Land in the remote tropical north of Australia. Arguably the most pristine island off the Northern Territory coast, Groote Eylandt is a refuge for birds and other wildlife from the introduced livestock and predators, and frequent fires, that have so altered the natural environment of the mainland.The authors have combined thorough research with extensive fieldwork to produce a comprehensive reference describing th relative abundance, habitats and regional distribution of each of the 228 bird species that have been reported for the island over 80 years of visitation by ornithologists.Whilst the land avifauna of Groote Eylandt is predictably similar to that of north-eastern Arnhem Land, many open forest and woodland species that occur on the adjacent mainland have not succeeded in colonising the island. On the other hand, the island supports several monsoon rainforest and mangrove-specialised species that are not yet known to occur on the adjacent mainland, or are rare further south in the West Gulf.Richard Noske has been birdwatching since he was 10 years old, and has written or co-written over 60 publications on birds. After gaining his doctorate in New South Wales, he took up a lecturing position at the Northern Territory University (now Charles Darwin University) in 1985. He was President of the NT Field Naturalists Club during 1988-1991, then editor of its journal, NT Naturalist, for five years. His main interest is the ecology and conservation of wildlife in tropical Australia and South-east Asia, and he currently edits Kukila, the journal of the Indonesian Ornithological Society.Graham Brennan was a wandering jack-of-all-trades until he arrived on Groote Eylandt in 1985 and settled down as a mining operator for he Groote Eylandt Mining Company. An abiding amateur interest in natural history and a critical inspection of the literature soon led to the realisation that very little was known about the birds of this region. So he started recording his observations of birds on the island, particularly the months in which species were seen. After 17 years on the Eylandt, Graham has retired to a secluded pocket of forest in south-east Queensland, where he hopes to become self-sufficient.

One of the most amazing and accessible wildlife-watching destinations on earth, the "Top End" of Australia's Northern Territory is home to incredible birds and animals—from gaudy Red-collared Lorikeets to sinister Estuarine Crocodiles and raucous Black Flying-foxes. With this lavishly illustrated photographic field guide, you will be able to identify the most common creatures and learn about their fascinating biology—from how Agile Wallaby mothers can pause their pregnancies to why Giant Frogs spend half the year buried underground in waterproof cocoons. The Top End stretches from the tropical city of Darwin in the north, to the savannas of Mataranka in the south, and southwest across the vast Victoria River escarpments to the Western Australian border. The region includes some of Australia's most popular and impressive tourist destinations, such as Kakadu, Litchfield, Nitmiluk, and Gregory national parks, and is visited by more than two hundred thousand tourists every year. An essential field guide for anyone visiting the Top End, this book will vastly enhance your appreciation of the region's remarkable wildlife. Features hundreds of stunning color photographs Includes concise information on identification and preferred habitat for each species Provides a summary of each species' life history, including interesting habits, and suggestions on where to see it Offers valuable tips on searching for wildlife in the Top End An essential guide for visitors to the Top End, from Darwin south to Katherine and Kununurra, including Kakadu, Litchfield, Nitmiluk and Gregory national parks

The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010 is the third in a series of action plans that have been produced at the start of each decade. The book analyses the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status of all the species and subspecies of Australia's birds, including those of the offshore territories. For each bird the size and trend in their population and distribution has been analysed using the latest iteration of IUCN Red List Criteria to determine their risk of extinction. The book also provides an account of all those species and subspecies that are or are likely to be extinct. Each categorisation is justified on the basis of the latest research, including much unpublished material that has been made available during workshops conducted with leading ornithologists and conservation biologists around the country as well as phone interviews and correspondence. The result is the most authoritative account yet of the status of Australia's birds. In this completely revised edition each account covers not only the 2010 status but provides a retrospective assessment of the status in 1990 and 2000 based on current knowledge, taxonomic revisions and changes to the IUCN criteria, and then reasons why the status of some taxa has changed over the last two decades. Maps have been created specifically for the Action Plan based on vetted data drawn from the records of Birds Australia, its members and its partners in many government departments. The book contains some surprises – some alarming, some encouraging. The status of some birds has improved over the last two decades as a result of dedicated conservation management. Some may not have changed status but at least they are holding their own. Many, however, are continuing to decline and a distressing number are new to the list. There is also an increasing number of birds for which captive insurance populations need not only to be considered as a future option but actively pursued before it is too late. But this is not a book of lost causes. It is a call for action to keep the extraordinary biodiversity we have inherited and pass the legacy to our children. Every one of Australia's threatened taxa can be saved. This book describes the populations of species at greatest risk and outlines ways we can turn them around. 2012 Whitley Award Commendation for Zoological Resource.

A narrative account of Charles Darwin's five-year voyage along the coastline of South America that describes his encounters with the region's rain forest, cliffs, and wildlife.