Alligator Rivers Floodplains


IBA Justification

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') at the site:
Species Red List1 Season Year(s) Size IBA criteria
Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata LC resident 1981-1994 1,600,000 individuals A4i
Plumed Whistling-duck Dendrocygna eytoni LC resident 1981-1994 50,000 individuals A4i
Wandering Whistling-duck Dendrocygna arcuata LC resident 1981-1994 400,000 individuals A4i
Radjah Shelduck Radjah radjah LC resident 1981-1994 20,000 individuals A4i
Green Pygmy-goose Nettapus pulchellus LC resident 1981-1994 50,000 individuals A4i
Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa LC resident 1981-1994 60,000 individuals A4i
Grey Teal Anas gracilis LC resident 1981-1994 50,000 individuals A4i
Brolga Grus rubicunda LC resident 1981-1994 24,000 individuals A4i
Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis LC resident 1998-2008 212 individuals A1
Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus NT resident 1981-1984 1,800 individuals A1, A4i
Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia LC resident 1981-1994 35,000 individuals A4i
Australian Ibis Threskiornis moluccus LC non-breeding 1981-1994 15,000 individuals A4i
Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis LC resident 1981-1994 80,000 individuals A4i
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus LC resident 1981-1994 60,000 individuals A4i
Plumed Egret Ardea plumifera LC resident 1981-1994 200,000 individuals A4i
Pied Heron Egretta picata LC breeding 1981-1994 50,000 individuals A4i
Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus LC resident 1981-1994 50,000 individuals A4i
Bush Thick-knee Burhinus grallarius LC resident 1998-2008 frequent A1
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus LC resident 1981-1994 100,000 individuals A4i
Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles LC resident 1981-1994 80,000 individuals A4i
Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea LC resident 1981-1994 25,000 individuals A4i
Little Curlew Numenius minutus LC non-breeding 1981-1994 300,000 individuals A4i
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata VU non-breeding 1990-2002 4,900 individuals A4i
Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella LC non-breeding 1981-1994 30,000 individuals A4i
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida LC non-breeding 1981-1994 45,000 individuals A4i
Northern Rosella Platycercus venustus LC resident 1998-2008 uncommon A3
Varied Lorikeet Psitteuteles versicolor LC resident 1998-2008 uncommon A3
Rainbow Pitta Pitta iris LC resident 1998-2008 uncommon A2, A3
Banded Honeyeater Cissomela pectoralis LC resident 1998-2008 uncommon 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 abundant A3
Buff-sided Robin Poecilodryas cerviniventris LC resident 1998-2008 uncommon A3
Australian Yellow White-eye Zosterops luteus LC resident 1998-2008 uncommon A3
Masked Finch Poephila personata LC resident 1998-2008 uncommon A3
Long-tailed Finch Poephila acuticauda LC resident 1998-2008 frequent A3

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2009) may differ.


IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2009. The most recent assessment (2008) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2008 not assessed high not assessed
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes unset good

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Invasive and other problematic species and genes happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) slow but significant deterioration high
Climate change and severe weather likely in long term (beyond 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Energy production and mining 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 areas Management plan Other action Result
Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed not assessed

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation % overlap with IBA
1979 Kakadu National Park (Commonwealth) 65
1980 Kakadu National Park Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance 63
1981 Kakadu National Park World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) 63
1991 Kakadu National Park 65

Habitats

Habitat1 Habitat detail % of IBA
Forest Melaleuca forests & woodlands, Mangroves major (>10)
Wetlands (inland) Riverine floodplains major (>10)
Marine Intertidal minor (<10)
Shrubland Chenopod shrubs, samphire shrubs and forblands minor (<10)
1. IUCN Habitat classification.

Land use

Land use % of IBA
other major (>10)
nature conservation and research major (>10)

Land ownership
Kakadu NP owned by Traditional Owners and managed in partnership with National Parks; wetlands to east owned by Arnhemland ALT.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Alligator Rivers Floodplains (Australia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/alligator-rivers-floodplains-iba-australia on 22/11/2024.