Discover. Record. Protect.
Barmah National Park lies at the heart of Yorta Yorta Country — a living wetland where forest, water and sky meet. This floodplain is home to over 200 bird species, from colourful parrots to endangered wetland specialists rarely seen anywhere else in Australia. We invite you to walk softly, listen deeply, and help record the life of this remarkable place.
Migratory waterbirds
Listed under JAMBA, CAMBA and ROKAMBA treaties
Colonial nesting species
Such as ibis, egrets and spoonbills
Endangered and vulnerable birds
Like the Superb Parrot and Australasian Bittern
- Birds You Might See
Common & Wetland Birds
These are the species most often seen around the Dharnya Precinct, Kingfisher Cruises, and along the Yamyabuc Trail.
Common & Scientific Name
Notes
- Australian White Ibis
- Threskiornis molucca
- Often seen wading in shallow water.
- Platalea regia
- Platalea regia
- Recognisable by its black spoon-shaped bill.
- Great Egret
- Ardea alba
- Tall white heron with long neck and yellow bill.
- Little Egret
- Egretta garzetta
- Smaller egret with black bill and yellow feet.
- White-faced Heron
- Egretta novaehollandiae
- Common around billabongs and mudflats.
- Straw-necked Ibis
- Threskiornis spinicollis
- Glossy plumage, feeds in open wetlands.
- Australian Pelican
- Pelecanus conspicillatus
- Large groups glide along the Murray River.
- Black Swan
- Cygnus atratus
- Often seen nesting in flooded forest.
- Pacific Black Duck
- Anas superciliosa
- Common wetland duck species.
- Australasian Darter
- Anhinga novaehollandiae
- Seen drying wings on fallen branches.
- Little Pied Cormorant
- Microcarbo melanoleucos
- Small, active diving bird.
- Whistling Kite
- Haliastur sphenurus
- Soars above open forest, gives whistling call.
Woodland & Forest Birds
Found in the River Red Gum forest and along dry edges of the floodplain.
- Crimson Rosella
- Platycercus elegans
- Bright red and blue parrot, often near Dharnya.
- Eastern Rosella
- Platycercus eximius
- Red-headed parrot with yellow chest.
- Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
- Cacatua galerita
- Loud and social, nesting in hollow red gums.
- Laughing Kookaburra
- Dacelo novaeguineae
- Known for its laughing call.
- Sacred Kingfisher
- Todiramphus sanctus
- Small, turquoise kingfisher near open water.
- Superb Fairy-wren
- Malurus cyaneus
- Males bright blue during breeding season.
- Grey Shrike-thrush
- Colluricincla harmonica
- Melodious song through forest.
- Willie Wagtail
- Rhipidura leucophrys
- Friendly, active tail-wagger.
- White-plumed Honeyeater
- Ptilotula penicillata
- Feeds on nectar and insects.
- Spotted Pardalote
- Pardalotus punctatus
- Tiny, jewel-like bird nesting in riverbanks.
Endangered & Special Species
Barmah’s wetlands support several threatened or internationally protected birds.
If you are lucky enough to see one, please upload your photo to help Yorta Yorta monitor their presence.
- Australasian Bittern
- Botaurus poiciloptilus
- Status: Endangered
- Bright green parrot, breeds in hollow trees.
- Superb Parrot
- Polytelis swainsonii
- Status: Vulnerable
- Bright green parrot, breeds in hollow trees.
- Regent Honeyeater
- Anthochaera phrygia
- Status: Critically Endangered
- Rare visitor, depends on flowering eucalypts.
- Freckled Duck
- Stictonetta naevosa
- Status: Endangered
- Breeds after floods in dense wetland vegetation.
- Magpie Goose
- Anseranas semipalmata
- Status: Vulnerable (Vic)
- Occasionally seen in Barmah swamps.
- Latham’s Snipe
- Gallinago hardwickii
- Status: Migratory
- Long-billed wader from Japan and China.
- Eastern Great Egret
- Ardea modesta
- Status: Migratory
- Protected under international treaties.
- Glossy Ibis
- Plegadis falcinellus
- Status: Migratory
- Feeds in shallow wetlands.
- White-bellied Sea-Eagle
- Haliaeetus leucogaster
- Status: Protected
- Large raptor, nests in tall red gums.
- Black-tailed Godwit
- Limosa limosa
- Status: Migratory
- Seen during seasonal flooding.
Add your photo and notes to our community record of birds and wildlife on Yorta Yorta Country
