Appendix D_Shorebird_survey_report_Final_Jul20_jans edits

Appendix 1: Shorebirds – a primer

The classification (and sub-grouping) of the numerous species of water birds observed in the Noosa River and
adopted in this report represents a simplification of the complex taxonomy of avian species, itself an ongoing
and fluid process. Species in this report have generally been referred to by their common or colloquial names
in Australia though these may differ between regions. Where particular sub species have been observed and
taxonomy is known, they have been identified as such.
Amongst water birds, this report has focused specifically on the presence and abundance of shorebird species,
also known as waders and members of the large (and incredibly diverse) Charadriiformes order which include
gulls, terms, skuas, skimmers and auks. The use of the interchangeable terms “shorebirds” or “waders” can
be misleading as several species infrequently wade (walk) or do not frequent shorelines. Nevertheless, most
shorebirds generally do gather in intertidal areas or on the fringes of freshwater wetlands, they have long legs
in relation to their body size, no webbing on their feet and they do not swim. The size and shape of their bills
are adapted to forage for their typical diet of crustaceans and worms.

Together shorebirds make up around 10% of Australia’s species of birds and whilst around 18 species are
considered resident or endemic to Australia, another 37 generally migrate each year including along the EAAF
discussed herein. A (very) high-level summary of the sub-groupings adopted for this report, their taxonomic
orders, key species and distinguishing features or behaviours are provided in Table 7 below.

                                      Table 7 – Survey species sub-groupings
 Group                Taxonomic order(s)               Key species                            Distinguishing features
 Shorebirds           Charadriiformes                  Plovers, Oystercatchers,               Small to medium sized, long legs to body
                                                       Sandpipers, Curlews, Godwits,          sized, adapted bills, no webbing between
                                                       Knots, Tattlers, Sanderling, Stints,   toes, do not swim.
                                                       Stilts

 Terns and             Charadriiformes                 Terns, Gulls                           Small to medium sized, long winged, short
 Gulls                                                                                        legs, web feet, can swim, feed on or under
                                                                                              water’s surface.

 Water birds           Procellariiformes,              Pelicans, Egrets, Herons, Ibis,        Small to large size, four toed web feet,
                       Suliformes, Ciconiiformes       Storks, Cormorants                     gather in colonies, obtain all (or most) food
                                                                                              from water.

 Wading birds          Anseriformes                    Ducks, swans, geese                    Generally medium to large, webbed feet,
                                                                                              strong swimmers, broad and flattened bill,
                                                                                              filter feeders, moult all flight feathers at
                                                                                              once.

 Sea birds             Procellariiformes               Petrels, Albatrosses, Frigatebirds,    Generally medium to large. Tubular
                                                       Gannets.                               nostrils, webbed feet missing hind toe, feed
                                                                                              in saltwater.

 Raptors              Falconiformes, Accipitriformes   Eagles, Kites, Osprey, Falcons         Medium to large size, hooked upper beak,
                                                                                              clawed talons, keen eyesight, variable
                                                                                              morphology based on diet.




Noosa River – Shorebird Survey Report 2019                                                                                         Page 20