Habitat associations of birds at Manton Dam, Northern Territory

south-south-east of Darwin, Northern Territory. Major habitats associated with the dam (open water, water edge, riparian monsoon forest and savanna woodland) were searched to determine the bird species associated with each. A total of 84 avifauna species were recorded. Diversity (22 species) and abundance of waterbirds were low in comparison with other wetlands of northern Australia-only 11 bird species were recorded using the open water habitat. The paucity of waterbirds may be due to the lack of shallow foraging areas. Bushbirds included 50 species that used riparian monsoon forest habitat and 45 species that used savanna habitat; 34 species were recorded in both habitats. Nine waterbird species were also recorded using riparian monsoon forest habitat. Further development of riparian vegetation around the fringes of the dam may encourage colonisation by additional forest bird species. Increasing the extent of shallow water areas and prohibition of motorboats may enhance habitat availability and quality for waterbirds and shorebirds.