Wildlife Directory

Like you and I, every wild creature has a story relating to their behavior and place in the eco-system. Here is an ever growing list of Top End species, mainly birds, with notes on their distribution, behavior and tips on where to see them.

Magpie Goose
Anseranus semipalmata

Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata (an-ser-AN-as: ‘goose-duck’ from Latin anser goose and anas duck; se-mi-pal-MAH-tuh: Latin semi half and palmatus webbed)
no subspecies, size 75-90cm, wingspan 1.2-1.8m, male is larger, black and white, orange legs, reddish facial skin, knobbed head larger on male, feet partially webbed, juveniles are greyish and have no knob on their head.

Order:
Anseriformes

Family:
Anseranatidae

Genus:
Anseranus

Species:
semipalmata

Plumed Whistling-duck
Dendrocygna eytoni