Water Birds of Manly Dam

Manly Dam and its associated creeks, streams and ponds are crucial habitats for various water birds. In the urban centre of Sydney, where waterways are heavily polluted, changed, and disturbed, this catchment provides essential breeding, nurturing, and feeding ground for various species.

Breeding at Manly Dam

Manly Dam provides a home for a variety of different water birds that are of a range of different sizes and require different food and elements to breed and survive. The rich aquatic plant life found in Manly Dam and the variety of insects and aquatic crustaceans present have made Manly Dam a haven for aquatic birds to breed within. The low levels of disturbance along the banks also heavily reduce the risk of trampling nests or young in the dam.

Birds such as the Australian Wood Duck nest in the larger hollows of the woodlands surrounding the dam, whilst birds such as the Black Swan, Dusky Moorhen and Eurasian Coot create large, sophisticated nests in or right next to the water.

While at the dam, please ensure that you are mindful of these nests and the bird's young. Please don't feed nor touch the birds as this may cause these animals to become sick, develop unnatural behaviours or leave the area to find new nesting grounds.

Meet some of the water birds of Manly Dam and surrounding water bodies

Little Black Cormorant

The Little Black Cormorant is a commonly found aquatic bird found throughout Australia’s river systems. It is typically seen by itself or in small groups; however, it can form flocks made up of hundreds when fish are abundant.
Little Pied Cormorant

The Little Pied Cormorant is commonly found in slow-moving or still waterways. It feeds on fish; however, a large amount of its diet comprises crustaceans caught by the bird when its dives below the water surface.
Chestnut Teal

The Chestnut Teal is a common native duck species found throughout the east coast. It copes well in highly saline environments; thus, it is commonly found in estuaries, inlets and lagoons close to the beach.
Great Egret

The Great Egret is a beautiful bird found throughout most of Australia but is more common in wetter environments than arid ones. As a species, it is pretty sensitive to human disturbance and, as a result, is endangered in both Queensland and Victoria.
Australasian/Purple Swamphen

The Swamphen is a large rail. The species is commonly mistaken as flightless; however, this is not the case. It is frequently found along the edges of water systems, throughout the reeds and vegetation it feeds on and nests within.
Sacred Kingfisher

This Sacred Kingfisher is a brightly coloured bird found near the water and in the dam's woodlands. Unlike its name, this species mainly hunts on land, catching insects and small reptiles.
Australasian Grebe

The Australasian Grebe is a small aquatic bird that is excellent at swimming. However, they aren’t great at flying and will commonly stay and breed in one water body for an extended period if sufficient food is available.
Australian Wood Duck

The Australian Wood Duck has done relatively well because of urbanisation. They are found throughout various water bodies, from pristine streams to sewage lines. Another remarkable fact about this species is that it nests in tree hollows.
Dusky Moorhen

Dusky Moorhens are a common waterbird found throughout Sydney. They have large feet that help them walk over aquatic plants on top of the water. They create nests in the open water where two or more females will lay eggs in and protect.
Australian Pelican

The Australian Pelican is one of Australia’s largest birds. It is found across the country, both inland and near the ocean. These birds can be part of breeding colonies that consist of over 40,000 individuals when breeding!
Black Swan

The Black Swan is a large but elegant water bird commonly found at the Dam. Black Swans are monogamous, meaning they mate for life with their partner. Their young initial plumage is grey, making them distinct from their parents.
Pink-eared Duck

The Pink-eared Duck is an infrequent resident of Manly Dam. It has a specialised beak designed to filter out small insects and plants for it to eat. It is more common in warmer waters, so keep your eyes out during spring and summer.