• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

The site was identified as important in 2009 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species'):

Species	Current IUCN Red List Category	Season	Year(s)	Population estimate at site	IBA criteria met
Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata	LC	resident	-	800,000 individuals	A4i
Wandering Whistling-duck Dendrocygna arcuata	LC	resident	-	188,000 individuals	A4i
Pied Heron Egretta picata	LC	breeding	1990-2000	2,000 individuals	A4i
Bush Thick-knee Burhinus grallarius	LC	resident	1998-2008	uncommon	A1
Red-necked Avocet Recurvirostra novaehollandiae	LC	unknown	-	3,000 individuals	A4i
Little Curlew Numenius minutus	LC	non-breeding	1990-2000	12,000 individuals	A4i
Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis	EN	non-breeding	1990-2000	1,050 individuals	A4i
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata	VU	non-breeding	1990-2000	2,500 individuals	A4i
Varied Lorikeet Psitteuteles versicolor	LC	resident	1998-2008	uncommon	A3
Rainbow Pitta Pitta iris	LC	resident	1998-2008	frequent	A2, A3
Banded Honeyeater Cissomela pectoralis	LC	resident	1998-2008	rare	A3
Silver-crowned Friarbird Philemon argenticeps	LC	resident	1998-2008	uncommon	A3
Bar-breasted Honeyeater Ramsayornis fasciatus	LC	resident	1998-2008	uncommon	A3
White-gaped Honeyeater Stomiopera unicolor	LC	resident	1998-2008	common	A3
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater Ptilotula flavescens	LC	resident	1998-2008	rare	A3
Buff-sided Robin Poecilodryas cerviniventris	LC	resident	1998-2008	rare	A3
Australian Yellow White-eye Zosterops luteus	LC	resident	1998-2008	rare	A3
Masked Finch Poephila personata	LC	resident	1998-2008	uncommon	A3
Long-tailed Finch Poephila acuticauda	LC	resident	1998-2008	uncommon	A3

The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (2009).

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Timing	Scope	Severity	Result
Climate change and severe weather	storms and floods	likely in long term (beyond 4 years)	some of area/population (10-49%)	slow but significant deterioration	medium
Invasive and other problematic species and genes	invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - named species	happening now	some of area/population (10-49%)	moderate to rapid deterioration	high
Natural system modifications	fire & fire suppression - increase in fire frequency/intensity	happening now	small area/few individuals (<10%)	slow but significant deterioration	low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected-area designation	Management planning	Other conservation action	Result
Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	not assessed

For more information about IBA conservation status, please click here

Protected area (PA)	PA designation	PA area (ha)	Relationship of PA with IBA	Overlap of PA with IBA (ha)
Melacca Swamp	Conservation Area	2,288	protected area overlaps with site	2,315
Mary River	National Park	121,525	protected area contained by site	0
Mary River	National Park	121,525	protected area overlaps with site	0
Lambells Lagoon Conservation Reserve	Other Conservation Area	423	protected area overlaps with site	1,421
Harrison Dam Conservation Area	Other Conservation Area	3,267	protected area overlaps with site	3,284
Fogg Dam	Conservation Reserve	1,853	protected area overlaps with site	687
Djukbinj	National Park	55,442	protected area overlaps with site	30,863
Black Jungle / Lambells Lagoon Conservation Reserve	Other Conservation Area	4,952	protected area overlaps with site	0
Black Jungle / Lambells Lagoon Conservation Reserve	Other Conservation Area	4,952	protected area overlaps with site	0
Adelaide River Foreshore Conservation Area	Other Conservation Area	253	protected area contained by site	240

Habitat (IUCN level 1)	Habitat detail	Extent (% of site)
Forest	Melaleuca forests & woodlands	-
Wetlands (inland)	Riverine floodplains	-
Marine Intertidal		-

For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land-use	Extent (% of site)
other	-
nature conservation and research	-
rangeland/pastureland	-

Woolner, Koolpinyah and Kerlin Stations, Annaburroo, Marrakai, Opium Creek, Melaleuca and Swim Creek pastoral leases. Protected Areas jointly managed by the NT government and the Limilngan-Wulna people. Traditional Ownership.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Adelaide and Mary River Floodplains. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/adelaide-and-mary-river-floodplains-iba-australia on 05/12/2023.