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Australia Sea Eagle at Yellow Water in Kakadu National Park

Bird watchingin Kakadu

Explore the walking trails and bird watching platforms dotted throughout Kakadu National Park which is home to one third of Australia's bird species.

Kakadu National Park is home to one third of Australia’s bird species, with at least 60 species found in the wetlands alone.

The rising waters of the wet season signal the beginning of the breeding season for many water birds. Walking trails and lookout platforms are located throughout the park offering quality bird watching opportunities in this diverse environment.

Yellow water

Visit the world-famous Yellow Water wetlands and experience an abundance of bird life.

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.

Mamukala wetlands

Enjoy the spectacle of thousands of migratory magpie geese flocking to Mamukala Wetlands as the floodplains recede during the dry season.

Nestle in at one of the bird hides (viewing shelters) and experience your very own wildlife documentary. Take to the boardwalk and see White-Browed Robin, Royal Spoonbill and the magnificent White-Bellied Sea Eagles.

Stone the pigeons

The East Alligator region of Kakadu is stone country and home to the ancient Aboriginal rock art of Ubirr.

Spectacular views over vast floodplains await those on the Sandstone and River Bushwalk, as do sightings of the Chestnut-Quilled Rock-Pigeon and Square-Tailed Kite.

The Partridge pigeon is endemic to the Top End of the Northern Territory. In the local Gudjeihmi language it’s called Ragul and represents a traditional tell-tale sign of season and traditional burning regimes.

For the love of the Brolga

The graceful giant of the wetland birds, the Brolga can grow up to 125cm and is famous for the energetic and romantic dance during mating season. It’s thought that the Brolga mates for life.

Brolgas frequent many of the wetland areas throughout Kakadu in the wet season, and in the dry season can be spotted in dry grassland and around natural springs.

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