In Australia you will find a rich and unique birdlife, with a remarkable diversity of species found across the continent and its outlying islands. There have been 980 recorded bird species in the country, including both native and introduced birds. This number include some that are now extinct.
Major Bird Groups in Australia
Key groups and notable species found in Australia:
Flightless Birds:
Emu - The largest native bird in Australia and the second-largest bird in the world
Southern Cassowary - Found in the tropical rainforests of northern Australia
Waterfowl and Wetland Birds:
Magpie Goose
Black Swan
Australian Wood Duck
Freckled Duck
Parrots and Cockatoos:
Australia is famous for its colorful parrots, including the Rainbow Lorikeet (see below), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Galah, and the Budgerigar.
Megapodes (mound-builders like the Australian Brushturkey)
Cuckoos, Nightjars, Frogmouths (like the Tawny Frogmouth)
Shorebirds and Waders (such as the Australian Pied Oystercatcher)
National Parks
Visiting National Parks gives one the chance to spot all kinds of Australian birds and other fauna. Others, such as the Rainbow Lorrikeet in the photo, live in all the coastal regions of Australia. Others only inhabit the inner regions. Some only live in very specific areas, about 300 species live only in Australia.
That being said, to those that notice, you will see unique Australian birds even in the suburbs of the major cities. This can be attributed to the wide open spaces that still exist in the country.
Many species of birds seen in Australia include those that can be seen in the Northern Hemisphere, or at least look similar. However they may have descended long ago from the same ancestors, but are now actually quite different.
There are migratory birds that travel thousands of kilometres every year to their nesting grounds on different continents to and from Australia. About 450 species of birds visit this continent every year from Asia and as far away as Siberia.
Australian Iconic Birds (Some)
Laughing Kookaburra: A stocky bird with a long and wide bill, about the size of a crow with a short neck and a short tail.
Willy Wagtail
Cockatoos
Magpie and the Kurrawong
Eastern Rosella
Cassowaries
Whipbird
Rainbow Lorikeets
Rainbow Lorikeets
Rainbow Lorikeets (Trichoglossus moluccanus) are medium-sized, brightly colored parrots native to Australia, known for their playful behavior, loud calls, and adaptability to both wild and urban environments.
These parrots are native to Australia, commonly found along the eastern seaboard from northern Queensland to South Australia. Their natural habitats include rainforests, coastal bush, and woodland areas.
Behaviour
These parrots are often seen in loud, fast-moving flocks or gathering in communal roosts at dusk. They are very social and active birds, often described as busybodies who like to be in the midst of the action
Interaction with Humans
Rainbow Lorikeets are well-adapted to urban environments and are frequently seen in suburban gardens and parks. In some places, they are so accustomed to humans that they can be hand-fed
Appearance
Rainbow Lorikeets are famous for their vivid, multi-colored plumage. Their striking colors make them unmistakable and easily recognizable. Both males and females look alike, featuring:
Birds play an important role in biodiversity, pollinating native plants and spreading seeds. Spotting these birds can take you through beautiful coastal scenery to the snowfields in the Australia alpine regions, the tropical rainforests of Queensland and the Northern Territory or the vast desert regions in the interior.
Parrots can be found in many places in Australia, the variety of colours is fascinating to see in backyards and in parks. The musicality of birds like the whipbird and the lyre, who can imitate sounds and laughing kookaburras making hearing them a memorable treat.
These noisy but curious Australian birds are Rainbow Lorikeets
Next: Blue Mountains
Australian National Parks Birdlife
Australia Map
In Australia you will find a rich and unique birdlife, with a remarkable diversity of species found across the continent and its outlying islands. There have been 980 recorded bird species in the country, including both native and introduced birds. This number include some that are now extinct.
Major Bird Groups in Australia
Key groups and notable species found in Australia:
Flightless Birds:
Waterfowl and Wetland Birds:
Parrots and Cockatoos:
Parrots of Australia
Birds of Prey:
Australian Raptors (Birds of Prey)
Songbirds and Passerines:
Pigeons and Doves:
Others:
National Parks
Visiting National Parks gives one the chance to spot all kinds of Australian birds and other fauna. Others, such as the Rainbow Lorrikeet in the photo, live in all the coastal regions of Australia. Others only inhabit the inner regions. Some only live in very specific areas, about 300 species live only in Australia.
Australian birds and Other Fauna
That being said, to those that notice, you will see unique Australian birds even in the suburbs of the major cities. This can be attributed to the wide open spaces that still exist in the country.
Many species of birds seen in Australia include those that can be seen in the Northern Hemisphere, or at least look similar. However they may have descended long ago from the same ancestors, but are now actually quite different.
There are migratory birds that travel thousands of kilometres every year to their nesting grounds on different continents to and from Australia. About 450 species of birds visit this continent every year from Asia and as far away as Siberia.
Australian Iconic Birds (Some)
Rainbow Lorikeets
Rainbow Lorikeets (Trichoglossus moluccanus) are medium-sized, brightly colored parrots native to Australia, known for their playful behavior, loud calls, and adaptability to both wild and urban environments.
These parrots are native to Australia, commonly found along the eastern seaboard from northern Queensland to South Australia. Their natural habitats include rainforests, coastal bush, and woodland areas.
Behaviour
These parrots are often seen in loud, fast-moving flocks or gathering in communal roosts at dusk. They are very social and active birds, often described as busybodies who like to be in the midst of the action
Interaction with Humans
Rainbow Lorikeets are well-adapted to urban environments and are frequently seen in suburban gardens and parks. In some places, they are so accustomed to humans that they can be hand-fed
Appearance
Rainbow Lorikeets are famous for their vivid, multi-colored plumage. Their striking colors make them unmistakable and easily recognizable. Both males and females look alike, featuring:
National Parks by State
Tasmania National Parks and Reserves
Northern Territory Parks and Reserves
Biodiversity
Birds play an important role in biodiversity, pollinating native plants and spreading seeds. Spotting these birds can take you through beautiful coastal scenery to the snowfields in the Australia alpine regions, the tropical rainforests of Queensland and the Northern Territory or the vast desert regions in the interior.
Parrots can be found in many places in Australia, the variety of colours is fascinating to see in backyards and in parks. The musicality of birds like the whipbird and the lyre, who can imitate sounds and laughing kookaburras making hearing them a memorable treat.
Native
Sulphur Crested Cockatoos
Australian Raptors (Birds of Prey)
Previous: Australian Wombats
Topic: Australia National Parks
Main Photo: These noisy but curious Australian birds are Rainbow Lorikeets