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The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation 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 List	Season (year/s of estimate)	Size	IBA criteria
Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata	LC	resident (1981–1994)	1,600,000 birds	A4i
Plumed Whistling-duck Dendrocygna eytoni	LC	resident (1981–1994)	50,000 birds	A4i
Wandering Whistling-duck Dendrocygna arcuata	LC	resident (1981–1994)	400,000 birds	A4i
Radjah Shelduck Radjah radjah	LC	resident (1981–1994)	20,000 birds	A4i
Green Pygmy-goose Nettapus pulchellus	LC	resident (1981–1994)	50,000 birds	A4i
Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa	LC	resident (1981–1994)	60,000 birds	A4i
Grey Teal Anas gracilis	LC	resident (1981–1994)	50,000 birds	A4i
Brolga Grus rubicunda	LC	resident (1981–1994)	24,000 birds	A4i
Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis	LC	resident (1998–2008)	212 birds	A1
Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus	NT	resident (1981–1984)	1,800 birds	A1, A4i
Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia	LC	resident (1981–1994)	35,000 birds	A4i
Australian Ibis Threskiornis moluccus	LC	non-breeding (1981–1994)	15,000 birds	A4i
Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis	LC	resident (1981–1994)	80,000 birds	A4i
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus	LC	resident (1981–1994)	60,000 birds	A4i
Pied Heron Egretta picata	LC	breeding (1981–1994)	50,000 birds	A4i
Plumed Egret Ardea plumifera	LC	resident (1981–1994)	200,000 birds	A4i
Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus	LC	resident (1981–1994)	50,000 birds	A4i
Bush Thick-knee Burhinus grallarius	LC	resident (1998–2008)	frequent	A1
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus	LC	resident (1981–1994)	100,000 birds	A4i
Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles	LC	resident (1981–1994)	80,000 birds	A4i
Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea	LC	resident (1981–1994)	25,000 birds	A4i
Little Curlew Numenius minutus	LC	non-breeding (1981–1994)	300,000 birds	A4i
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata	VU	non-breeding (1990–2002)	4,900 birds	A4i
Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella	LC	non-breeding (1981–1994)	30,000 birds	A4i
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida	LC	non-breeding (1981–1994)	45,000 birds	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

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.

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat	Timing	Scope	Severity	Result
Invasive and other problematic species and genes	happe­ning now	most of popul­ation/area (50–90%)	slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations)	high
Climate change and severe weather	likely in long term (>4 years)	some of popul­ation/area (10–49%)	slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations)	medium
Energy production and mining	happe­ning now	few indivi­duals/small area (<10%)	slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations)	low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Designation	Planning	Action	Result
Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	not assessed

Year	Protected Area	Designation (management category)	% coverage of IBA
1979	Kakadu	National Park (Commonwealth) (II)	65
1981	Kakadu National Park	World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) (UA)	63
1991	Kakadu	National Park (II)	65

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

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

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

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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 23/12/2024.