Jabiru

Visited: late dry season

Recommendation: You probably wouldn't go to Jabiru just to find wildlife. You pass through it to get to other parts of Kakadu. Having said that, it does have some hotspots for birds particularly the lake and airport.

Jabiru is a small town located within Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory of Australia. It serves as a gateway to the park, offering essential services and accommodations for visitors. Jabiru is situated on the East Alligator River, approximately 200 kilometers southeast of Darwin. The town has a relatively small population, primarily consisting of residents who work in the tourism industry, mining, and park management. Consequently, it is a quiet place and you can visit any hotspots without worrying too much about disturbance.

I started at the lake and I could see waterfowl in the distance but they were too far away to anything other than identify them for my records. The main car park at the lake has a playground and picnic areas with grass running down to the water. My first find here was the Dollarbird, calling from the tops of the trees. I find them fascinating with their croaky call and vivid colouring, which you only appreciate in sunlight. They winter in Australia and can be found throughout Asia to Japan and India.

Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)

At my campground I was fortunate enough to find a frogmouth sitting above me, quietly resting. It amuses me that they are so common but we rarely see them even though they roost in broad daylight. They are adaptable birds and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, scrub, heathland, and even urban areas. Widespread across the country, they are only missing from the very driest of areas like the Red Centre and the Nullarbor.

Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)

One good reason for visiting Jabiru is the possibility of finding the Partridge Pigeon. I had been looking for them throughout Kakadu, including all their known hotspots. I headed to the airport and they they were. Thankfully the airport was small, quiet and nobody minded me wandering around with a camera. I only saw them in one other place in Kakadu so I was very pleased to get these shots.

Partridge Pigeon (Geophaps smithii)

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