BIRDING IN AUSTRALIA

Species

Species

Bird Species of Australia

“from one bird to another, the adventure never ends”

Exploring Australia, one species at a time (but yes, we’re counting here). This section dives into Australia’s feathered stars — from the iconic kookaburra to the brilliantly coloured lorikeets. We’ll share ID tips, recommended apps, and handy field guides to help you tell your whistlers from your warblers.

Birdwatching is even more magical when shared. Online groups, websites, and checklists are like hidden perches in a vast forest — places where birds are celebrated, sightings are swapped, and secrets of plumage and song are whispered between fellow bird lovers. Whether you’re checking off a life list, sharing a photo of a cheeky visitor, or simply soaking up stories from other watchers, these communities and resources turn every sighting into a little festival of wings and wonder.

ID Websites

This free downloadable series compiles compact, field-ready data sheets for ageing, sexing and identifying Australian bush birds. Drawing on the authoritative Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds (HANZAB), the sheets are tailored for bird-banders, trainees and field workers, and are updated regularly as new research and user feedback become available.

>> Australian Bird Study Association

eBird is a global, community-driven bird-recording platform created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It allows birdwatchers to log their sightings, keep personal lists, explore species distribution, and contribute to one of the world’s largest biodiversity databases. Powered by millions of observations from birders worldwide, eBird helps support research, conservation, and real-time understanding of bird populations and migration patterns.

>> eBird

A personal, richly‑photographed website documenting Australian bird species, curated by Michael Dahlem. It features sightings, audio recordings, and images for nearly 900 bird species (including vagrants) found in Australia and surrounding islands.
Great for bird‑enthusiasts who enjoy detailed observations, photography, and natural history commentary.

>>  Michael Dahlem Birds of Australia

This online database, under BirdLife Australia, offers searchable “Bird Finder” profiles for Australian bird species — including common and scientific names, images, habitat information and status. Users can filter by species shape, region or other traits.
An excellent go‑to for quick access to credible species information, especially for citizen scientists and birding hobbyists.

>> Birdlife Australian Bird Profiles

The Australian Museum offers “Animal Fact Sheets” including concise profiles on birds — covering identification, behaviour, habitat and conservation context.
Useful for educators, students or anyone wanting authoritative, museum‑based reference material on Australian birds.

>> Australian Museum Bird Fact Sheets

Birds of the World is an extensive, expert‑curated digital reference covering nearly every bird species on the planet. It provides in‑depth species accounts including taxonomy, distribution, behaviour, ecology, conservation status and multimedia resources. Maintained by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it serves researchers, educators and serious bird‑enthusiasts who need authoritative, up‑to‑date information on avian life.

>> CornellLab -Birds of the World

ID Groups

>>Australian Bird Identification ABID
Helping birders identify species from photos taken across Australia.

>>Australian Shorebird Identification
Dedicated to identifying and learning about Australian shorebirds.

>>Australian Native Birds (ANB)
A community for sharing photos and stories of Australia’s native species.

Bird Checklists

AviList is a freely available, globally-oriented checklist of the world’s birds, developed by a team of taxonomists, nomenclature specialists and biodiversity informatics professionals. It covers more than 11,000 bird species and nearly 20,000 subspecies in its 2025 version.

Designed as a “living document,” AviList is updated annually to reflect the latest scientific evidence and consensus.

>> AviList Bird Checklist

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology maintains and publishes 3 global lists available for download:

  • Clements Checklist
  • eBird Taxonomy
  • eBird/Clements Checklist

>> Cornell Lab

BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA

Bird Identification Apps

Mobile Phone Data + ID Apps

Birdwatching in the modern age has a little helper in your pocket. Bird ID apps are like tiny guides that perch quietly next to you on the trail, ready to whisper names, calls, and curious facts about the birds you encounter. Some help you match a flash of color to a species, others let you log your sightings and watch your own little garden of notes grow. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just beginning to notice the flutter of wings above, these apps make every discovery feel like a shared secret between you and the birds.

eBird by Cornell Lab

eBird by Cornell Lab

A global nest for birders, eBird is where your sightings take flight. Log the birds you see, peek at what others are spotting nearby, and watch your own personal life list grow like a tree full of song. It’s science, community, and a little magic all tucked into your pocket.

Merlin Bird ID App

Merlin Bird ID App

Meet your feathered friends with Merlin’s help. Snap a photo or answer a few simple questions, and this clever little guide will whisper their names, songs, and secrets. Perfect for turning that flash of wings into a story you’ll remember.

BirdNet Sound ID

BirdNet Sound ID

Can’t see the bird? Let it sing to you. BirdNet listens, identifies, and helps you name the unseen choristers hidden in the canopy. Every chirp, trill, and call becomes a clue in the delightful puzzle of the wild.

P & K Birds of Aust

Pizzey & Knight Birds of Australia

The classic field guide, now digital and at your fingertips. Stunning illustrations, crisp photos, and call recordings make it a perfect companion for bushwalks, backyard perches, or lazy afternoons by the water. A little library of Aussie birds you can carry wherever you wander.

BIRD IDENTIFICATION BOOKS

Australia

Bird Field Guides

“Clear, handy guides for spotting, naming, and keeping tabs on your feathered friends.”

“Clear, handy guides for spotting, naming, and keeping tabs on your feathered friends.”

Bird identification apps make it easier to recognise the species you encounter, whether you’re in the backyard, on a walk, or exploring new habitats. Many offer photo and sound recognition, along with field guides, maps, and checklists to help confirm IDs and track your sightings.

Birdwatching isn’t just a hobby — it’s a passport to Australia’s wildest places. • Australia has 850+ bird species. How many have you met? •Birdwatching isn’t just a hobby — it’s a passport to Australia’s wildest places. • Australia has 850+ bird species. How many have you met? •

Explore Australia and its birding destinations

Northern Territory

From the wetlands to the red desert, the NT dazzles with Rainbow Bee-eaters, Black-necked Storks, Gouldian Finches, and Red-tailed Black Cockatoos — each more vivid than the outback sunset.

Queensland

Tropical Queensland is alive with colour — Southern Cassowaries, Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishers, Rainbow Lorikeets, Paradise Riflebirds, and the exotic Palm Cockatoos shimmer beneath the rainforest canopy.