Birds and animals of Australia's Top End: Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine, and Kununurra

Description

One of the most amazing and accessible wildlife-watching destinations on earth, the Top End of Australia's Northern Territory is home to incredible birds and animals--from gaudy Red-collared Lorikeets to sinister Estuarine Crocodiles and raucous Black Flying-foxes. With this lavishly illustrated photographic field guide, you will be able to identify the most common creatures and learn about their fascinating biology--from how Agile Wallaby mothers can pause their pregnancies to why Giant Frogs spend half the year buried underground in waterproof cocoons. The Top End stretches from the tropical city of Darwin in the north, to the savannas of Mataranka in the south, and southwest across the vast Victoria River escarpments to the Western Australian border. The region includes some of Australia's most popular and impressive tourist destinations, such as Kakadu, Litchfield, Nitmiluk, and Gregory national parks, and is visited by more than two hundred thousand tourists every year. An essential field guide for anyone visiting the Top End, this book will vastly enhance your appreciation of the region's remarkable wildlife. Features hundreds of stunning color photographs Includes concise information on identification and preferred habitat for each species Provides a summary of each species' life history, including interesting habits, and suggestions on where to see it Offers valuable tips on searching for wildlife in the Top End An essential guide for visitors to the Top End, from Darwin south to Katherine and Kununurra, including Kakadu, Litchfield, Nitmiluk and Gregory national parks. *Frontmatter, pg. 1*Contents, pg. 3*About this book, pg. 7*How to use this book, pg. 8*Maps of the Top End, pg. 10*Geography and geology of the Top End, pg. 12*Weather and seasons of the Top End, pg. 14*Habitats of the Top End, pg. 16*How to watch wildlife, pg. 20*Where to find wildlife, pg. 22*Birds of Wetlands and Beaches, pg. 24*Raptors: Hawks, Eagles and Falcons, pg. 80*Birds of the Forest: Mangroves and Monsoon Forests, pg. 94*Birds of Open Areas Woodlands and Grasslands, pg. 120*Mammals, pg. 196*Reptiles and Amphibians, pg. 220*Further reading, pg. 264*Acknowledgements, pg. 264*Photo credits, pg. 265*Index, pg. 267