PROTECTING THE ALLIGATOR RIVERS YELLOW CHAT
A male Alligator Rivers yellow chat. Photo: Keith Lightbody.
IMPROVING THE HABITAT OF THE ALLIGATOR RIVERS YELLOW CHAT
THE ALLIGATOR RIVERS YELLOW CHAT PROJECT
The endangered Alligator Rivers yellow chat (Epthianura crocea tunneyi), is a bright yellow insectivorous bird that lives on the floodplains in the Top End, in and around Kakadu National Park.
The subspecies is threatened by habitat degradation from pig-rooting by feral pigs which changes the landscape and reduces suitable areas for foraging. Additional threats include invasion of exotic plant species, wallowing by buffalo, changed fire regimes, and saltwater incursion.
Territory Natural Resource Management (TNRM) has been contracted under the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program to deliver a project that will improve the habitat of the Alligator Rivers yellow chat by supporting feral pig and weed management and ongoing monitoring of the subspecies.
The project will be carried out in collaboration with Rangers and Traditional Owners from Kakadu National Park and surrounding areas, scientists, and other experts, including yellow chat PhD researcher Robin Leppitt.
A female Alligator Rivers yellow chat. Photo: Keith Lightbody.
Image on left is of yellow chat habitat on the South Alligator River Floodplain. It depicts mainly the shrub Sesbania. Photo: Robin Leppitt