Pilbara Shorebirds and Seabirds

Home , Common greenshank, Curlew sandpiper, Eastern osprey, Fairy tern, Greater sand plover, Lesser sand plover

Shorebirds and seabirds OF THE PILBARA COAST AND ISLANDS Pilbara Region South MuironSouth PERTH Island Exmouth Serrurier Island Thevenard Island Onslow Island Barrow Islands Montebello Sholl Island

NORTH WEST

COASTAL HIGHWAY Pannawonica Dampier Karratha

Cover: Greater sand plover. This page: Great knot. Photos – Grant Griffin/DBCA undisturbed nestingareasthey need. stone-curlews, theislandsprovide allthefood, shelterand For residentshorebirds, includingoystercatchers andbeach including ternsandshearwaters, usetheislandsfornesting. of theirnorthernhemispherebreedinggrounds. Seabirds, spring andsummer, whenthebirdsescapeharsh winter mangroves areimportantfeedingandrestinghabitatduring rocky shores, sandy beaches, saltmarshes, intertidalflatsand seabird species. For migratory shorebirds, sandy spits, sandbars, provide importantrefugeforanumberofshorebirdand The Pilbara coastandislands, includingtheExmouthGulf, TYPES OFSHOREBIRDS distances betweentheirfeedingandbreeding groundseachyear (migratory). Some shorebirdsspendtheirentirelives inAustralia (resident), whileotherstravel long This groupincludesplovers, sandpipers, stints, curlews, knots, godwitsandoystercatchers. wetland andcoastalhabitatswherethey wadeinshallowwaterandfeedalongtheshore. Shorebirds, alsoknownas ‘waders’, areadiverse groupofbirdsmostlyassociatedwith What isashorebird? the Pilbaracoastandislands Shorebirds andseabirdsof Diagram –adaptedwithpermission from Ted AMorrisJr. Eastern curlew Whimbrel Godwit Plover

Turnstone Sandpiper Sanderling

Above: Roseate terns. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA LONG-DISTANCE TRAVELLERS To never experience the cold of winter sounds like a good life, however migratory shorebirds put a lot of effort in achieving their endless summer. Migratory shorebirds make some of the most impressive migrations of all animals. For some, the annual migration is close to a 30,000-kilometre-return journey from their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere to their feeding grounds in the southern hemisphere. The migratory shorebirds of Australia migrate along a route known as the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF). A ‘flyway’ is like a circuit of highways in the sky that migratory shorebirds fly, connecting them between their feeding grounds in the southern hemisphere to their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere. As the journey is long, many need to stop along the way to refuel. There are 23 countries throughout the EAAF and many of these provide important areas called staging sites, where shorebirds can rest and refuel. Important staging areas include the Yellow Sea bordered by the coasts of China and the Korean Peninsula, the Southern Honshu region of Japan, Manila Bay in the Philippines and northern Australia.

EAST ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN FLYWAY

Russia Alaska

Yellow Sea

Japan

China

Phillipines

Indonesia Papua New Guinea

Australia

New Zealand

Diagram – DBCA THE RESIDENT SHOREBIRDS Oystercatchers, red-capped plovers and beach stone-curlews are among the species that call the Pilbara coast home. These resident shorebirds stay in Australia all year round and nest along the coast and on offshore islands.

SPECIALIST FEEDERS The unique shape of the bills among the different species of shorebirds means a variety of species can share the same shore with minimal competition. Long-billed species, such as bar-tailed godwits and eastern curlews, can probe deep into the sand, while short-billed species like ruddy turnstones and lesser sand plovers feed by pecking and probing at the surface in search for food. The Pilbara coast and islands provide excellent feeding grounds for shorebirds, and enables them to eat enough food to increase their body weight by up to 70 per cent, providing enough fuel to migrate and breed. BILL SHAPES OF PILBARA SHOREBIRDS

Pied Common Lesser sand oystercatcher greenshank plover Eastern curlew Ruddy Bar-tailed Whimbrel turnstone Red-necked godwit stint

juvenile sentinel crab

adult sentinel various small crab gastropod molluscs

ghost shrimp marine worm

Left: Illustration source material – Jeff Davies. Adapted by Gooitzen van der Meer/DBCA. Top: Foraging, Simpson Island. Photo – Carolyn Williams/DBCA Photo – Carolyn Simpson Island. Foraging, Top: der Meer/DBCA. Gooitzen van Adapted by Davies. source material – Jeff Left: Illustration foraging grounds. they provide relatively undisturbedroostingandnestinghabitatsclosetocoastaloceanic Island habitatsareimportantforseabirdssuchasternsandwedge-tailedshearwaters as ashore toroostandnest. differ fromshorebirdsbecausethey forage atsea, feedupon fishandsquid, onlycoming congregate inlarge flocks alongthecoastlineandalongsideshorebirds. However they Seabirds includeternssuchasroseate, caspian, crestedandfairyternsthatoften What isaseabird? • • • • • • • seabird vulnerability include: vulnerable todisturbanceandpredation. Factors thatcontributetoshorebirdand threatened species. Asthey aggregateinflocks alongthecoastthey areparticularly are experiencingsignificantpopulationdeclines, causingthemtoberecognisedas Unfortunately, shorebirdsandseabirdsarefacingthreatstotheir survival. Many species and seabirds Threats facingshorebirds can beimpacted by recreationandnatural events like high-tide flooding. Nesting habitat onthecoast andonislands, includingonbeaches, Slow reproductive rates limit theabilityofpopulationstorecover fromthreats. Slow growthrates makeyoungseabirds vulnerable forextendedperiods. being affectedby habitatchange, disturbanceandpredation. Site fidelityandaggregationbehaviour canleadtolarge numbersofindividuals and foraging sites. Habitat requirementsarespecific, includingclose proximity ofbothroosting Long-distance migration imposeshigh-energy demands. mean habitatmustbeprotectedacrossmany jurisdictions. Migratory behaviour andmovements acrossinternationalboundaries

Caspian, crested and lesser crested terns. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA CONSERVATION OF SHOREBIRDS AND SEABIRDS Under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and WA’s Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, species, subspecies and varieties of native wildlife are listed as threatened or specially protected if they are at risk of extinction, are rare, or otherwise in need of special protection. Birds featured in this guide may have the following status listed under the EPBC Act: Critically endangered – at extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Endangered – at very high risk of extinction in the wild. Vulnerable – at high risk of extinction in the wild. Many species in this guide are also granted protection under the EPBC Act as a ‘migratory’ species due to being listed under international conventions and agreements that Australia is party to. Disturbance from human recreation activities is increasingly putting shorebirds and seabirds at risk. Activities carried out in feeding, roosting and nesting areas, such as walking (including with dogs), four-wheel driving, boating close to shore, jetskiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and camping can have significant negative impacts on shorebirds and seabirds. Disturbance may force birds to change their behaviour from feeding or roosting to vigilance and anti-predator behaviour. This can have dramatic effects on their ability to rest and restore their energy, compromising their survival.

SHARING OUR SHORES – HOW YOU CAN HELP • Keep your distance – admire birds from afar. Look for bird nesting and activity using binoculars when approaching an island. • When boating near islands, keep your speed to a walking pace and avoid areas being used by birds. • While on the island keep your visit ashore brief and stay along the water’s edge. • Leave the small bird nesting islands for the birds – stay on your boat or in the water. • Don’t take dogs onto islands. • Be mindful when driving along the beach as shorebirds and seabirds nest in the sand between the high tide line and up into the dunes. Stick to areas designated for beach driving. • Take your rubbish home with you and dispose of it properly. Fishing line can entangle marine wildlife. If you come across other people’s rubbish, please dispose of it too. • Get involved – contact your local Parks and Wildlife Service office to find out more about shorebirds and seabirds in your area. • If you find a sick or injured seabird or shorebird, contact the Wildcare Helpline on (08) 9474 9055. ( Bar-tailed godwit–northernSiberia Limosa lapponica menzbieri lapponica Limosa Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length Critically endangered MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS the longestnon-stop flightofmorethan11,000km. Bar-tailed godwitsholdthe worldrecordfor Northern SiberiaandRussia Adults: August–April Juveniles: Year-round Molluscs, crustaceans, wormsandinsects spits andcoastalsaltmarsh Intertidal flats, mangroves, sandy beaches, sandbars, Black Long, slightlyupturnedbill, black withapinkbase 250–450g 62–75cm 37–39cm )

Bar-tailed godwit, Steamboat Island. Photo – Stephen Breedveld/DBCA BAR-TAILED GODWIT – NORTHERN SIBERIA ( Eastern curlew Numenius madagascariensis Numenius Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length Critically endangered MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS and tendto takeflightwellbefore any othershorebird. the worldandisendemic totheEAAF. They arequitewary The easterncurlewisthelargest migratory shorebird in Russia andnorth-east China Adults: July–April Juveniles: Year-round Crustaceans, molluscsand insects mangroves, sandy spits, sandbarsandbeaches Sheltered coasts, intertidal coastalmudflats, tidalflats, Blue-grey backwards, thetipofbillcanreachbeyond itsbody Very longdownward-curved bill;ifitturnsitshead 900g 110cm 50–60cm )

Eastern curlew. Photo – Nigel Jackett EASTERN CURLEW ( Curlew sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Calidris Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length Critically endangered MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS up totheirbellyand willsubmerge their head tofeed. Curlew sandpipershave beenseenwadinginwaters Russia Adults: August–March Juveniles: Year-round Worms, molluscs, crustaceansandinsects Intertidal mudflats, sandy shoresofshelteredcoastalareas Black Black downward-curved bill 57g 38–41cm 18–23cm )

Curlew sandpiper. Photo – Nigel Jackett CURLEW SANDPIPER ( Great knot Calidris tenuirostris Calidris Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length Critically endangered MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS non-stop. Great knotshave beenknown toflyclose6000km Siberia andRussia Adults: August–April Juveniles: Year-round cucumber Molluscs, worms, crustaceanandoccasionallysea Sheltered coasts, intertidalmudflatsandsandflats Dark greenish-grey Slightly downward-curved black bill 128–216g 58cm 26–28cm )

Great knot. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA GREAT KNOT ( Red knot Calidris canutus Calidris Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length Endangered MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS ) using sensitive pressuresensorsontheir bill. Red knotscandetectprey inthemudupto5cmaway Siberia andAlaska Adults: August–April Juveniles: Year-round Worms, bivalves, gastropods, crustaceansandechinoderms Intertidal flats, sandy beaches, sandspitsandmudflats Greenish-grey Robust, shortstraight bill 120g 45–54cm 23–25cm

Red knot. Photo – Clive Nealon RED KNOT Non-breeding plumage ( Lesser sandplover Charadrius mongolus Charadrius Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length Endangered MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS its billtoeye. length ofthebillisequaltodistance fromthebaseof A handy hinttohelpidentifythelessersandplover: the Siberia Adults: August–May Juveniles: Year-round Insects, crustaceans, molluscsandpolychaeteworms mangroves Sandy beaches, sandspitsandmudflatscloseto Grey Short, thick black bill 75–90g 49–58cm 18–21cm ) Breeding plumage

Left : Lesser sand plover. Right: Lesser sand plover breeding plumage. Photos – Grant Griffin/DBCA LESSER SAND PLOVER ( Greater sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii Charadrius Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length Vulnerable MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS of itsbilltoeye. length ofitsbillislonger thanthedistancefrombase A handy hinttohelpidentifythegreater sand plover: the Mongolia, north-westernChinaandsouthernSiberia Adults: July–April Juveniles: Year-round Crustaceans, polychaete worms, molluscsandinsects sandy beaches Coastal wetlands, intertidalmudflats, sandy flats, sheltered Grey Thick black bill 75–100g 44–60cm 22–25cm )

Greater sand plover. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA GREATER SAND PLOVER Non-breeding plumage ( Ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres Arenaria Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS of flipping over stones, shells, seaweedandotherobjects. Ruddy turnstonesarenamedaftertheirfeedingbehaviour Eastern SiberiaandwesternAlaska Adults: August–April Juveniles: Year-round Worms, crustaceans, molluscs, andinsects Rocky shores, sandy beaches, mudflats Orange Black, stout, wedge-shaped bill 115g 50–57cm 22–24cm ) Breeding plumage

Left: Ruddy turnstone, Serrurier Island. Photo – Carolyn Williams/DBCA Right: Ruddy turnstone breeding plumage, Bundegi Sanctuary Zone. Photo – Felicity Kelly/DBCA RUDDY TURNSTONE ( Sanderling Calidris alba Calidris Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS ) the returnjourney totheirbreedinggrounds. to gain60percent of theirbody weightso they canmake When sanderlingsareinAustralia, they willeatenough North America, RussiaandtheArctic Adults: August–May Juveniles: Year-round Worms, crustaceans, spiders, insectsandoccasionally fish found foraging inthewave-wash zone Open sandy beaches, sandbarsandspits, typically Black Short, straight, broad-basedblack bill 50–60g 40cm 20cm

Sanderling. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA SANDERLING ( Red-necked stint Calidris ruficollis Calidris Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS ) Australia to Vietnam andSouthChina. Red-necked stintscanflynon-stopfromnorth-western Siberia andwestAlaska Adults: August–April Juveniles: Year-round Worms, molluscs, crustaceansandinsects intertidal mudflatsandsandflats Sheltered beaches, spits, sandbanks, saltmarsh, Black Short, straight, slightlydownward-curved bill 23–35g 29–33cm 13–16cm

Red-necked stint. Photo – Stephen Breedveld/DBCA RED-NECKED STINT ( Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Numenius Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS the middleofitsback. If thewhimbrelturnsitsheadbackwards, itsbill willreach Alaska Adults: August–April Juveniles: Year-round Worms, crustaceans, molluscs andinsects Intertidal mudflats, sandflatsamongmangroves Blue-grey Long, downward-curved bill 300–490g 76–89cm 40–45cm )

Whimbrel. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA WHIMBREL ( Grey-tailed tattler Tringa brevipes Tringa Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS ) population ofthegrey-tailed tattler. regularly supportmore thanonepercentoftheglobal Barrow Islandandtheeasternsideof ExmouthGulf Siberia Adults: August–April Juveniles: Year-round Polychaetes, molluscs, crustaceans, insectsandfish usually associatedwithmangroves andseagrass Mangroves, rocks, beaches, reefsandintertidalmudflats Yellow Long, slenderblack bill 86–135g 51cm 25cm

Grey-tailed tattler. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA GREY-TAILED TATTLER ( Common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Actitis Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS while foraging. Common sandpiperscontinuouslyboband wagtheirtails Russia Adults: July–May Juveniles: Year-round Bivalves, amphipods, crabs andinsects Coastal andinlandwetlands, intertidalsandflats Yellow–grey Straight bill, nolongerthanitshead 37–50g 32–35cm 19–21cm )

Common sandpiper, Exmouth Gulf. Photo – Felicity Kelly/DBCA COMMON SANDPIPER ( Common greenshank Tringa nebularia Tringa Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS ) and makeadistinctive ‘choo choochoo’ call. Common greenshankswillbobtheirhead ifalarmed Extensive range intheNorthernHemisphere Adults: August–April Juveniles: Year-round Molluscs, crustaceansandinsects Sheltered coasts, mudflats, saltmarsh Yellow-green Long andslightlyupturned 190g 55–65cm 30–35cm

Common greenshank. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA COMMON GREENSHANK ( Sharp-tailed sandpiper Calidris acuminata Calidris Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS on freshwaterwetlands. Sharp-tailed sandpipers arealsoknowntoforage Northern Siberia Adults: August–April Juveniles: Year-round grit, sandandcharcoal Molluscs, crustaceansand insects;alsoknowntoingest mudflats andmangroves Sheltered coasts, sandy beaches, rocky shores, intertidal Yellow-green Short, slightlydownward-curved bill 51–86g 36–43cm 17–22cm )

Sharp-tailed sandpiper. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER ( Little curlew Numenius minutus Numenius Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS reach thebaseofits neck. If thelittlecurlewturnsitsheadbackwards, its billwill Russia Adults: October–April Juveniles: Year-round Insects sandflats, beaches Sheltered coasts, saltmarshes, coastalswamps, mudflats, Blue-grey Black-brown billwithapinkbaseonthelowermandible 120–178g 68–71cm 23–31cm )

Little curlew. Photo – Ian Montgomery/birdway.com.au LITTLE CURLEW ( Marsh sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Tringa Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS water. Marsh sandpipersareusuallyseenforaging inshallow Europe andSiberia Adults: September–April Juveniles: Year-round Insects, molluscsandsometimescrustaceans Coastal andinlandwetlands, intertidalmudflats Green–grey Long, straight bill 52–80g 40–45cm 22–26cm )

Marsh sandpiper. Photo – Ian Montgomery/birdway.com.au MARSH SANDPIPER ( Terek sandpiper Xenus cinereus Xenus Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS ) depending ontheprey. Terek sandpiperschangetheirforaging behaviour Russia, Finland, Siberia andtheArctictundra Adults: September–May Juveniles: Year-round Crustaceans, molluscs, insectsandseeds Sheltered coasts, intertidalmudflatsandmangroves Orange Black, upturnedbill 95g 36–45cm 22–24cm

Terek sandpiper. Photo – Scott Thomson TEREK SANDPIPER ( Sooty oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus Haematopus Did you know? Clutch size Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length RESIDENT SHOREBIRDS Sooty oystercatchers areendemictoAustralia. 1–3 Nests: Ascrape inthesand In thePilbara: July–September Year-round sea urchinsandsmallfish Molluscs, crabs, crustaceans, marineworms, seastars, within 50moftheocean Rocky shores, coral reefsand sandy beaches;usually Red Red 580–750g 72–91cm 39–48cm )

Sooty oysterchacter, Large Island. Photo – Steve Breedveld/DBCA SOOTY OYSTERCATCHER ( Pied oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris Haematopus Did you know? Clutch size Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length RESIDENT SHOREBIRDS strong beaks. They canopenoyster shellsandothershellfish withtheir alarm noiseifanest isbeingapproached. Pied oystercatchers willmakealoudsharp high-pitched 2–3 eggs Nests: Shallowscrapes insandabove thehightidemark In thePilbara: July–October Year-round Molluscs, worms, crabs andsmallfish Intertidal sandflats, mudflatsandsandy beaches Red Thick redbill 650–750g 72–91cm 46–48cm )

Pied oysterctacher, Simpson Island. Photo – Carolyn Williams/DBCA PIED OYSTERCATCHER (C Red-capped plover Did you know? Clutch size Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length haradrius ruficapillus haradrius RESIDENT SHOREBIRDS beach-nesting birdin Australia. Red-capped plovers are themostcommonwidespread 1–3 Nests: Sandy beaches In thePilbara: July–September Year-round Worms, musselsandcrustaceans Beaches, mudflatsandsaltmarsh Grey Short black bill 35–40g 27–34cm 14–16cm )

Red-capped plover. Photo – Scott Thomson RED-CAPPED PLOVER ( Beach stone-curlew Esacus magnirostris Esacus Did you know? Clutch size Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length RESIDENT SHOREBIRDS Both parentswillcare fortheyoung7–12months. 1 Nests: Onopensandy beachesabove hightideline In thePilbara: August–October Year-round Mainly crabs tidal mudflats, sandflatsandmangroves Strictly coastal, offshoreislands, sandy beaches, Yellow Large, thick brown/black billwithayellow base 1000g 89–109cm 50–57cm )

Beach stone-curlew, Great Sandy Island. Photo – Steven Breedveld/DBCA BEACH STONE-CURLEW ( Fairy tern Sternula nereis nereis nereis Sternula Did you know? Clutch size Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length Vulnerable SEABIRDS in predation by introducedspecies andbirdsofprey. adversely impact thespeciesandlead toanincrease surfing, four-wheel driving andmotorbikeridingcan as dogwalking, camping, jetskis, windsurfing andkite particularly atbreeding sites. Recreationalactivitiessuch The mainthreattofairyternsishumandisturbance, 1–2 Nest: Sandscrape In thePilbara: June–November Migratory populationJune–September Resident subpopulation–year-round Bait fish mainland shores Sandy beachesanddunesystemsofoffshoreislands Yellow Non breedingplumage–black Breeding plumage–orange-yellow 70g 44–53cm 22–27cm )

Fairy tern. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA FAIRY TERN ( Bridled tern Onychoprion anaethetus Onychoprion Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length SEABIRDS in smallgroups. Bridled ternsforage welloffshoreinblue water, usually concealed increvices andunderrocks Nests: Offshoreislandsonrocky orcoral-covered ground, In thePilbara: September–April September–April Fish Rocky shoresandrock stacks ofoffshoreislands Black Grey black bill 110–180g 77–81cm 30–32cm )

Bridled tern, Stewart Island. Photo – Stephen Breedveld/DBCA BRIDLED TERN ( Caspian tern Hydroprogne caspia Hydroprogne Did you know? Clutch size Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length SEABIRDS Caspian ternsarethe largest terninAustralia. 1–3 low lyingvegetation Nests: Shallowscrape inthesandopenoramong In thePilbara: March–November Year-round other birds Fish (5–25cminlength)aswelltheeggsandyoung of and themainland Sheltered sandy andmuddy shoresonislands Black Red 640–680g 127–140cm 53–60cm )

Caspian tern. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA CASPIAN TERN ( Roseate tern Sterna dougallii Sterna Did you know? Clutch size Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length SEABIRDS ) Roseate terns nestonadifferent islandeachyear. 1–3 Nests: Shallowscrape inthesand In thePilbara: March–July andOctober Year-round Small pelagicfish and offshoreislands Rocky andsandy beaches, coral reefs, sandcays Orange–red Slender pointedblack bill, redbaseinbreedingseason 86–115g 67–76cm 31–39cm

Roseate tern. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA ROSEATE TERN ( Crested tern Thalasseus bergii Thalasseus Did you know? Clutch size Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length SEABIRDS ) Crested ternsarestrictly acoastalspecies. 2 sand. Usuallyindensecolonies Nest: Offshoreislandbeachesinshallow scrape inbare In thePilbara: March–June Year-round hatchlings Pelagic fish(10–50cm), alsoknowntoprey onturtle Exposed oceanbeaches Black Yellow 250–545g 90–115cm 42–50cm

Crested tern. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA CRESTED TERN ( Common tern Sterna hirundo Sterna Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Length SEABIRDS ) Common ternslive forabout20years. Europe, AsiaandNorthAmerica August–May Small fish–usuallygreaterthan15cm and occasionallymangroves andsanddunes Ocean beaches, mudflats, sandflats, rocky shores Black Black 110–145g 31–37cm

Common tern. Photo – Felicity Kelly/DBCA COMMON TERN ( Little tern Sternula albifrons Sternula Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length SEABIRDS Little ternsplungeinto shallowwatertocatchprey. from September–January Northern Australia (Kimberly–NorthQueensland) Year-round Fish –usuallysmaller than10cm occasionally mangroves Sheltered coasts, sandspits, oceanbeachesand Non-breeding plumage:Dullorange-brown Breeding plumage:Brightorange Non-breeding plumage:Black Breeding plumage: Yellow withasmallblack tip 49–53g 45–55cm 20–28cm )

Little tern. Photo – Jiri Lochman LITTLE TERN ( Wedge-tailed shearwater Ardenna pacifica Ardenna Did you know? Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length SEABIRDS ) shearwaters migrate tothePilbara islandseachyear tonest. Recent researchhasindicatedthatmore thanonemillion Nests: Inburrowsonoffshoreislands In thePilbara: November–April June–April Fish, cephalopods, crustaceansandinsects vegetation Vegetated islands, excavate burrowsunderdense Flesh-coloured feet Dark grey bill 320–510g 97–99cm 46–47cm

Left: Wedge-tailed shearwater. Photo – Grant Griffin/DBCA Right: Wedge-tailed shearwater, Locker Island. Photo – DBCA WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER (P Eastern osprey Did you know? Clutch size Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length andion cristatus andion SEABIRDS prey. Eastern ospreys plungeintothewaterfeet-first tocatch 1–4 and debriswhichcanbeusedformany years Nests: Onislandsandthemainland;ina nestmadeofsticks In thePilbara: June–September Year-round Mainly fish Nest onnatural andartificialstandsalongcoastalhabitats White Black Females 1.0–1.1kg, males 1.2–1.9kg 145–170cm 50–65cm )

Eastern osprey, Bundegi Sanctuary. Photo – Felicity Kelly/DBCA EASTERN OSPREY ( White-bellied seaeagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Haliaeetus Did you know? Clutch size Breeding Pilbara/North West Can beseeninthe Diet Habitat Leg colour Bill Weight Wingspan Length SEABIRDS White-bellied seaeaglesfirstbreed atsix years ofage. 1–3 made ofsticks whichcanbeusedformany years Nests: Onoffshoreislandsandthemainland; inanest In thePilbara: May–August Year-round roseate ternsandwedge-tailedshearwater Fish, seasnakes, youngseabirdsincluding sootyand mangroves, saltmarshesand tidalflats Offshore islands, beaches, reefs, lagoons, estuaries White Bluish grey withablack tip 2.5kg–4.2kg 180–220cm 75–85cm )

White-bellied sea eagle. Photo – Felicity Kelly/DBCA WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLE More information For more information on shorebird and seabird conservation please contact your local office.

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Parks and Wildlife Service

Exmouth District Office Pilbara Regional Office 20 Nimitz Street EXMOUTH WA Lot 3 Anderson Road KARRATHA WA PO Box 201 EXMOUTH WA 6707 PO Box 835 KARRATHA WA 6714 Ph: (08) 9947 8000 Ph: (08) 9182 2000 Fax: (08) 9947 8050 Fax: (08) 9144 1118 Email: [email protected] If you find a sick or Web: dbca.wa.gov.au injured bird, contact the Wildcare Helpline

Information current at November 2017. This information is available in alternative formats on request.