Skip links and keyboard navigation

Birds of Simpson Desert biogeographic subregion

Total number of species: 170

Download this information in .CSV format

Species name has been superseded by a new species name
Click here for more detailed information about this species
Family Scientific Name Common Name Superseded NCA EPBC Est. Wetland
Status
Records Specimens Last
seen
Motacillidae Anthus novaeseelandiae Australasian pipit C QAI 45 0 15/10/2021
Passeridae Passer domesticus house sparrow II 1 0 16/09/2005
Estrildidae Emblema pictum painted finch C QA 1 0 02/07/2006
Estrildidae Taeniopygia guttata zebra finch C QA 197 0 15/09/2023
Dicaeidae Dicaeum hirundinaceum mistletoebird C QAI 23 0 08/11/2012
Hirundinidae Cheramoeca leucosterna white-backed swallow C QA 57 0 15/09/2023
Hirundinidae Hirundo neoxena welcome swallow C QAI 2 0 15/10/2021
Hirundinidae Petrochelidon ariel fairy martin C QA 19 0 15/10/2021
Hirundinidae Petrochelidon nigricans tree martin C QAI 6 0 25/09/2009
Locustellidae Cincloramphus cruralis brown songlark C QA 44 0 26/03/2016
Locustellidae Cincloramphus mathewsi rufous songlark C QA 31 0 24/09/2009
Locustellidae Poodytes gramineus little grassbird C QAI 4 0 04/07/2006
Acrocephalidae Acrocephalus australis Australian reed-warbler C QAI 5 0 05/07/2006
Alaudidae Mirafra javanica Horsfield's bushlark C QAI 34 0 07/04/2007
Petroicidae Melanodryas cucullata hooded robin C QA 31 0 10/09/2014
Petroicidae Microeca fascinans jacky winter C QAI 7 0 04/07/2006
Petroicidae Petroica goodenovii red-capped robin C QA 86 0 27/09/2009
Monarchidae Grallina cyanoleuca magpie-lark C QAI 35 0 13/09/2023
Corvidae Corvus bennetti little crow C QA 34 1 28/03/2016
Corvidae Corvus coronoides Australian raven C QA 37 1 10/09/2023
Corvidae Corvus orru Torresian crow C QAI 5 0 15/09/2023
Corvidae Corvus sp. C U 4 0 03/07/2006
Rhipiduridae Rhipidura albiscapa grey fantail C QAI 2 0 25/09/2009
Rhipiduridae Rhipidura leucophrys willie wagtail C QAI 100 0 13/09/2023
Artamidae Artamus cinereus black-faced woodswallow C QA 129 0 10/09/2023
Artamidae Artamus leucorynchus white-breasted woodswallow C QA 5 0 25/09/2009
Artamidae Artamus personatus masked woodswallow C QA 113 0 30/03/2016
Artamidae Artamus superciliosus white-browed woodswallow C QA 34 0 30/03/2016
Artamidae Cracticus nigrogularis pied butcherbird C QA 3 0 06/04/2007
Artamidae Gymnorhina tibicen Australian magpie C QAI 23 0 15/09/2023
Oreoicidae Oreoica gutturalis crested bellbird C QA 109 0 10/09/2014
Pachycephalidae Colluricincla harmonica grey shrike-thrush C QAI 3 0 03/07/2006
Pachycephalidae Pachycephala rufiventris rufous whistler C QAI 16 0 28/09/2009
Campephagidae Coracina novaehollandiae black-faced cuckoo-shrike C QAI 15 0 24/09/2009
Campephagidae Lalage tricolor white-winged triller C QAI 97 0 30/03/2016
Neosittidae Daphoenositta chrysoptera varied sittella C QAI 12 0 03/07/2006
Cinclosomatidae Cinclosoma cinnamomeum cinnamon quail-thrush C QA 32 3 15/10/2021
Psophodidae Psophodes cristatus chirruping wedgebill C QA 39 2 10/09/2014
Psophodidae Psophodes occidentalis chiming wedgebill C QA 21 1 08/11/2012
Pomatostomidae Pomatostomus halli Hall's babbler C QA 3 0 13/11/2012
Pomatostomidae Pomatostomus ruficeps chestnut-crowned babbler C QA 2 0 01/09/2004
Pomatostomidae Pomatostomus superciliosus white-browed babbler C QA 70 5 24/09/2009
Meliphagidae Acanthagenys rufogularis spiny-cheeked honeyeater C QA 32 0 15/10/2021
Meliphagidae Ashbyia lovensis gibberbird C QA 3 0 30/07/1984
Meliphagidae Certhionyx variegatus pied honeyeater C QA 57 0 23/09/2009
Meliphagidae Epthianura aurifrons orange chat C QA 37 0 28/03/2016
Meliphagidae Epthianura crocea yellow chat QA 1 1 16/10/1982
Meliphagidae Epthianura tricolor crimson chat C QA 181 0 15/10/2021
Meliphagidae Gavicalis virescens singing honeyeater C QA 142 2 13/09/2023
Meliphagidae Manorina flavigula yellow-throated miner C QA 33 0 15/09/2023
Meliphagidae Melithreptus gularis laetior golden-backed honeyeater C QA 2 0 28/09/2009
Meliphagidae Philemon citreogularis little friarbird C QAI 1 0 16/07/2000
Meliphagidae Ptilotula keartlandi grey-headed honeyeater C QA 14 1 28/09/2009
Meliphagidae Ptilotula penicillata white-plumed honeyeater C QA 32 0 10/09/2023
Meliphagidae Purnella albifrons white-fronted honeyeater C QA 8 0 25/06/2006
Meliphagidae Sugomel nigrum black honeyeater C QA 13 1 04/08/2007
Pardalotidae Pardalotus rubricatus red-browed pardalote C QA 8 0 25/09/2009
Pardalotidae Pardalotus striatus striated pardalote C QA 1 0 06/08/2007
Acanthizidae Acanthiza apicalis inland thornbill C QA 1 0 28/07/2000
Acanthizidae Acanthiza robustirostris slaty-backed thornbill C QA 2 0 06/04/2007
Acanthizidae Acanthiza uropygialis chestnut-rumped thornbill C QA 6 2 25/09/2009
Acanthizidae Aphelocephala leucopsis southern whiteface V V QA 4 0 02/07/2006
Acanthizidae Aphelocephala nigricincta banded whiteface C QA 64 3 15/10/2021
Acanthizidae Pyrrholaemus brunneus redthroat C QA 5 0 02/10/2009
Acanthizidae Smicrornis brevirostris weebill C QA 8 0 25/09/2009
Maluridae Amytornis goyderi Eyrean grasswren C QA 34 3 24/07/2025
Maluridae Malurus assimilis purple-backed fairy-wren C QA 86 2 10/09/2023
Maluridae Malurus leucopterus white-winged fairy-wren C QA 104 1 13/09/2023
Maluridae Malurus splendens splendid fairy-wren C QA 1 0 28/07/2000
Maluridae Stipiturus ruficeps rufous-crowned emu-wren C QA 6 2 10/11/2012
Meropidae Merops ornatus rainbow bee-eater C QAI 33 0 13/09/2023
Alcedinidae Todiramphus pyrrhopygius red-backed kingfisher C QA 45 0 15/10/2021
Tytonidae Tyto javanica eastern barn owl C QAI 3 0 07/08/1985
Strigidae Ninox boobook southern boobook C QAI 3 0 01/07/2006
Cuculidae Cacomantis pallidus pallid cuckoo C QAI 26 0 13/11/2012
Cuculidae Chalcites basalis Horsfield's bronze-cuckoo C QAI 23 0 30/03/2016
Cuculidae Chalcites osculans black-eared cuckoo C QAI 5 0 12/09/2005
Cuculidae Scythrops novaehollandiae channel-billed cuckoo C QAI 1 0 03/04/2007
Psittaculidae Aprosmictus erythropterus red-winged parrot C QAI 2 0 08/08/1985
Psittaculidae Barnardius zonarius Australian ringneck C QA 3 0 27/06/2006
Psittaculidae Melopsittacus undulatus budgerigar C QA 198 0 15/09/2023
Psittaculidae Psephotellus varius mulga parrot C QA 1 0 12/09/2005
Cacatuidae Cacatua sanguinea little corella C QAI 24 0 15/09/2023
Cacatuidae Eolophus roseicapilla galah C QA 59 0 15/09/2023
Cacatuidae Nymphicus hollandicus cockatiel C QA 34 0 15/09/2023
Laridae Chlidonias hybrida whiskered tern C QAI I 15 0 13/09/2023
Laridae Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae silver gull C QAI 13 0 13/09/2023
Laridae Gelochelidon macrotarsa Australian tern C QAI 9 0 15/10/2021
Laridae Gelochelidon nilotica gull-billed tern SL VU 2 0 13/09/2023
Laridae Hydroprogne caspia Caspian tern SL QAI I 16 0 13/09/2023
Glareolidae Stiltia isabella Australian pratincole C QA 24 0 13/09/2023
Turnicidae Turnix velox little button-quail C QA 48 2 15/10/2021
Scolopacidae Calidris acuminata sharp-tailed sandpiper V V QAI I 13 0 13/09/2023
Scolopacidae Calidris ferruginea curlew sandpiper CR CE QAI I 3 0 14/09/2005
Scolopacidae Calidris melanotos pectoral sandpiper SL QAI I 3 0 13/10/2004
Scolopacidae Calidris ruficollis red-necked stint SL QAI I 4 0 15/10/2021
Scolopacidae Calidris subminuta long-toed stint SL VU I 2 0 11/10/2004
Scolopacidae Numenius minutus little curlew SL QAI 2 0 26/03/2016
Scolopacidae Tringa nebularia common greenshank E E QAI I 4 0 28/03/2016
Scolopacidae Tringa stagnatilis marsh sandpiper SL QAI I 3 0 13/09/2023
Charadriidae Charadrius ruficapillus red-capped plover C QAI I 29 0 13/09/2023
Charadriidae Charadrius veredus oriental plover SL QAI 6 0 15/10/2021
Charadriidae Elseyornis melanops black-fronted dotterel C QAI I 23 0 13/09/2023
Charadriidae Erythrogonys cinctus red-kneed dotterel C QA I 31 0 05/10/2009
Charadriidae Peltohyas australis inland dotterel C QA 16 0 15/10/2021
Charadriidae Vanellus miles masked lapwing C QAI 28 0 15/10/2021
Charadriidae Vanellus miles miles masked lapwing (northern subspecies) C QAI 1 0 28/03/2016
Charadriidae Vanellus miles novaehollandiae masked lapwing (southern subspecies) C QAI 7 0 31/08/1994
Charadriidae Vanellus tricolor banded lapwing C QA 19 0 02/05/2007
Recurvirostridae Himantopus leucocephalus pied stilt C QAI I 23 0 13/09/2023
Recurvirostridae Recurvirostra novaehollandiae red-necked avocet C QA I 24 0 15/10/2021
Otididae Ardeotis australis Australian bustard C QAI 21 0 30/07/2018
Rallidae Fulica atra Eurasian coot C QAI I 19 0 13/09/2023
Rallidae Tribonyx ventralis black-tailed native-hen C QA 30 0 13/09/2023
Rallidae Zapornia pusilla Baillon's crake C QAI I 1 0 26/09/2004
Gruidae Antigone rubicunda brolga C QAI I 44 0 13/09/2023
Falconidae Falco berigora brown falcon C QAI 82 0 15/09/2023
Falconidae Falco cenchroides nankeen kestrel C QAI 73 0 15/09/2023
Falconidae Falco hypoleucos grey falcon V V QA 8 0 05/08/2007
Falconidae Falco longipennis Australian hobby C QAI 15 0 15/09/2023
Falconidae Falco subniger black falcon C QA 9 0 15/09/2023
Accipitridae Accipiter cirrocephalus collared sparrowhawk C QAI 1 0 15/10/2021
Accipitridae Accipiter fasciatus brown goshawk C QAI 6 0 15/09/2023
Accipitridae Aquila audax wedge-tailed eagle C QAI 30 0 15/10/2021
Accipitridae Circus approximans swamp harrier C QAI 6 0 28/03/2016
Accipitridae Circus assimilis spotted harrier C QA 22 0 30/03/2016
Accipitridae Haliastur sphenurus whistling kite C QAI 38 0 13/09/2023
Accipitridae Hamirostra melanosternon black-breasted buzzard C QA 6 0 06/04/2007
Accipitridae Hieraaetus morphnoides little eagle C QAI 11 0 06/04/2007
Accipitridae Milvus migrans black kite C QAI 103 0 15/09/2023
Threskiornithidae Platalea flavipes yellow-billed spoonbill C QA I 33 0 13/09/2023
Threskiornithidae Platalea regia royal spoonbill C QAI I 6 0 14/09/2005
Threskiornithidae Plegadis falcinellus glossy ibis SL QAI 17 0 15/10/2021
Threskiornithidae Threskiornis molucca Australian white ibis C QAI 6 0 13/10/2004
Threskiornithidae Threskiornis spinicollis straw-necked ibis C QAI 6 0 26/03/2016
Ardeidae Ardea alba modesta eastern great egret C QAI I 2 0 28/03/2016
Ardeidae Ardea pacifica white-necked heron C QA I 41 0 13/09/2023
Ardeidae Egretta novaehollandiae white-faced heron C QAI 22 0 13/09/2023
Ardeidae Nycticorax caledonicus nankeen night-heron C QAI I 2 0 03/05/2007
Pelecanidae Pelecanus conspicillatus Australian pelican C QAI I 14 0 13/09/2023
Phalacrocoracidae Microcarbo melanoleucos little pied cormorant C QAI I 4 0 04/08/2007
Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax carbo great cormorant C QAI I 9 0 10/09/2023
Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax sulcirostris little black cormorant C QA I 11 0 13/09/2023
Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax varius pied cormorant C QAI I 7 0 15/10/2021
Anhingidae Anhinga novaehollandiae Australasian darter C QAI I 8 0 10/09/2023
Apodidae Apus pacificus fork-tailed swift SL QAI 1 0 06/04/2007
Aegothelidae Aegotheles cristatus Australian owlet-nightjar C QAI 4 0 30/03/2016
Eurostopodidae Eurostopodus argus spotted nightjar C QA 19 0 15/09/2023
Podargidae Podargus strigoides tawny frogmouth C QA 1 0 14/08/2000
Columbidae Geopelia cuneata diamond dove C QA 109 0 15/09/2023
Columbidae Geophaps plumifera spinifex pigeon C QA 1 0 28/07/2000
Columbidae Ocyphaps lophotes crested pigeon C QA 110 0 15/09/2023
Columbidae Phaps chalcoptera common bronzewing C QA 2 0 27/08/2005
Columbidae Phaps histrionica flock bronzewing C QA 9 0 26/03/2016
Podicipedidae Podiceps cristatus great crested grebe C QAI I 2 0 10/09/2023
Podicipedidae Poliocephalus poliocephalus hoary-headed grebe C QA I 18 0 15/10/2021
Podicipedidae Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Australasian grebe C QAI I 12 0 10/09/2023
Anatidae Anas gracilis grey teal C QAI I 58 0 15/09/2023
Anatidae Anas superciliosa Pacific black duck C QAI I 13 0 13/09/2023
Anatidae Aythya australis hardhead C QAI I 31 0 13/09/2023
Anatidae Biziura lobata musk duck C QA I 2 0 15/10/2021
Anatidae Chenonetta jubata Australian wood duck C QA 21 0 13/09/2023
Anatidae Cygnus atratus black swan C QA I 13 0 15/10/2021
Anatidae Dendrocygna eytoni plumed whistling-duck C QA 8 0 24/09/2009
Anatidae Malacorhynchus membranaceus pink-eared duck C QA I 33 0 13/09/2023
Anatidae Oxyura australis blue-billed duck C QA I 2 0 22/07/1983
Anatidae Spatula rhynchotis Australasian shoveler C QAI I 2 0 31/08/1980
Anatidae Stictonetta naevosa freckled duck C QA I 13 0 13/09/2023
Anatidae Tadorna tadornoides Australian shelduck C VU I 19 0 04/08/2007
Casuariidae Dromaius novaehollandiae emu C QA 42 0 30/03/2016

Click here to view species sighting metadata.

Species sighting information is extracted from the DETSI WildNet database.

Reports and statistics displayed on WetlandInfo use a subset of the sighting records that are not classed as erroneous or duplicate, that have a location precision equal to or less than 10,000 metres, and do not have a count of zero.

A report on any specific area includes sightings up to one kilometre outside of the area.

If a species is not listed in the report of a specific area, it does not mean the species is not present there. Similarly, a listed species may no longer inhabit the area. It is recommended that you also access other internal and external data sources for species information in your area of interest.

Information from WildNet can also be accessed via the WildNet Application and WetlandMaps.

The WildNet dataset is constantly being enhanced and the taxonomic and status information revised.

Rare or threatened includes species listed as extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or conservation dependent under either the Nature Conservation Act or Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

Disclaimer: While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this product, the Queensland Government and Australian Government make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaim all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which might be incurred as a consequence of reliance on the product, or as a result of the product being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason.

Legend

Nature Conservation Act
NCA - Status under the Nature Conservation Act 1992
EX : Extinct
PE : Extinct in the wild
CR : Critically endangered
E : Endangered
V : Vulnerable
NT : Near threatened
C : Least concern
SL : Special least concern
I : International
P : Prohibited
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
EPBC - Status under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
EX : Extinct
XW : Extinct in the wild
CE : Critically endangered
E : Endangered
V : Vulnerable
CD : Conservation dependent
Est. - Establishment
DNQ : Doubtfully naturalised in QLD
EXQ : Not native to QLD
FNQ : Formerly naturalised in QLD
IA : Introduced (Intranational) - naturalised from interstate
II : Introduced (International) - naturalised from overseas
IU : Introduced - unknown origin
NAQ : Naturalised in QLD
NNQ : Native and naturalised in QLD
NTQ : Native to QLD
Q : Queensland endemic - naturally occurs in Queensland
QA : Intranational - naturally occurs in Queensland and interstate
QAI : Not endemic to Australia - naturally occurs in Queensland, interstate and overseas
QI : Regional endemic - naturally occurs in Queensland and overseas
SUQ : Status unknown in QLD
U : Unknown - native
UPQ : Unknown provenance in QLD
VA : Vagrant (Intranational) - normally occurs interstate
VI : Vagrant (International) - normally occurs overseas
VU : Vagrant (Unknown)
XA : Exotic (Intranational)
XI : Exotic (International)
XU : Exotic (Unknown)
Wetland Status
I : Wetland indicator species


This page should be cited as:

Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2025) Birds of Simpson Desert biogeographic subregion, WetlandInfo website, accessed 16 October 2026. https://wetlandinfo.detsi.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/wildlife/?AreaID=biogeographic-subregion-simpson-desert&Class=birds&Kingdom=animals

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation