Life in our water

In Campbelltown we have a number of species that call our wetlands, ponds and rivers home.

These creatures play a vital role in keeping the natural balance of the ecosystem healthy.

Let's explore a few of the main species that you can easily spot around our waters. You might be surprised at some of the amazing features they have that allow them to thrive in our waterways

Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)

Pair of black swans

Black Swans are, as you would imagine, mostly black, with the exception of the broad white wing tips which are visible in flight. They are the only entirely black-coloured swan in the world. The bill is a deep orange-red, paler at the tip, with a distinct narrow white band towards the end. The younger birds are much greyer in colour, and have black wing tips.

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)

Purple Swamphen

The Purple Swamphen is mainly dusky black above, with a dark blue collar, and dark blue to purple below. As it walks, it flicks its tail up and down, revealing its white undertail. The bill is red and the legs and feet orange-red. Although it may look a little gangly, it is a very good flier and will often take to the sky to escape danger.

Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)

Pacific Black Duck

The Pacific Black Duck is mostly brown in colour, with a characteristic dark brown line through the eye, bordered with cream above and below and a dark brown crown. It has a bright glossy green patch in the feathers.

Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Coot

You will recognise the Eurasian Coot by its white snowy bill. The rest of the bird is dark sooty grey, except for its bright red eye. Immature birds are generally paler than adults, with a white wash on the throat.

Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata)

Australian Wood Duck

The Australian Wood Duck is a medium-sized 'goose-like' duck with a dark brown head and a pale grey body with two black stripes along the back. Males have the darker head with a black lower belly and undertail, whille the females have a paler head with two white stripes, above and below the eye, and a white lower belly and undertail. They prefer to relax on land, often seen perched on logs and in trees, only taking to open water when disturbed.

Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys)

Willie Wagtail

Although the Willie Wagtail does not solely live around or in the water, it is a bird that we see a lot of around our waterways. The Willy Wagtail has a black plumage and a white belly. The name wagtail stems from the constant sideways wagging of the tail. Young birds resemble the adults, but have paler, slightly rusty edges to the feathers of the wings.

Longfinned Eel (Anguilla reinhardtii)

Longfinned Eel

The Longfinned Eel has a broad head, and a large mouth with fleshy lips with olive or brown blotches above and on the sides, fading to pale on the belly.