Kookaburra – Australia’s Laughing Bird
Growing to around 45 centimetres in length, the Kookaburra is the world’s largest kingfisher. Despite belonging to the kingfisher family, it spends much of its time away from water, living in forests, woodlands, parks and suburban areas where there are plenty of suitable trees and open spaces for hunting.
Its most famous feature isn’t its appearance but its extraordinary voice. The familiar laughing call usually begins with a few individual notes before building into a noisy chorus as other members of the family join in. It can carry for a considerable distance and is often heard around dawn and dusk.
That laughter isn’t simply the Kookaburra having a good time. The call is an important way of announcing territory and warning neighbouring groups to stay away. Kookaburras are highly social birds and often live in family groups, with older offspring sometimes remaining with their parents and helping to raise younger chicks.
Kookaburras are patient hunters. Rather than constantly searching for food, they often sit quietly on a branch, fence or powerline watching the ground below. When prey appears, they swoop down quickly and return to a perch with their catch.
Their diet includes insects, worms, lizards, frogs, small mammals and occasionally snakes and other small animals. Their large, powerful beak allows them to tackle prey that seems surprisingly substantial for a bird of their size.
Kookaburras usually nest in natural tree hollows or cavities in termite nests. Suitable hollows can take many years to form, making old trees particularly important habitat for these familiar Australian birds.
They have also adapted remarkably well to living around people. Kookaburras are common visitors to gardens and picnic areas, although feeding them isn’t encouraged because their natural diet provides the nutrition they need.
With its large head, sturdy beak and unmistakable laugh, the Kookaburra has become one of the great sounds and symbols of the Australian bush. For many Australians, hearing that wild chorus drifting through the gum trees is a sound that instantly feels like home.
Emu – Australia’s Giant Flightless Bird
Standing up to around two metres tall, the Emu is Australia’s largest native bird and the second-tallest living bird in the world after the ostrich. Long legs, a shaggy coat of brown feathers and a curious expression make an adult Emu almost impossible to mistake for anything else.
Emus are found across much of mainland Australia, living in environments ranging from open woodland and grassland to semi-arid country. They are highly mobile birds and may travel considerable distances in search of food and water when conditions become dry.
Although Emus cannot fly, they certainly aren’t helpless on the ground. Their long, powerful legs allow them to run at speeds of around 50 kilometres per hour when necessary. Those same legs are useful for travelling efficiently across the enormous distances that are part of life in inland Australia.
Their diet changes with the seasons and includes seeds, grasses, fruits, flowers, insects and other available plant material. Emus can survive periods without regular access to water, but when water is available they may drink a surprisingly large amount at once.
One of the most interesting things about Emus is their family life. After the female lays her large, dark green eggs, the male takes responsibility for incubation. He remains on the nest for roughly eight weeks and eats very little during this period.
Once the striped chicks hatch, Dad’s job continues. The male protects and leads them for several months, teaching them where to find food and defending them from danger. The female generally plays no role in raising the young.
Emus have lived alongside Aboriginal peoples for thousands of years and feature in cultural traditions, stories and knowledge across many parts of Australia. The bird later became one of the two native animals appearing on Australia’s national coat of arms alongside the kangaroo.
Whether wandering beside an outback road or striding across an open paddock, the Emu seems perfectly suited to Australia’s wide landscapes. Big, tough and slightly odd-looking, it has become one of the country’s most instantly recognisable native animals.
Wedge-tailed Eagle – Australia’s Largest Bird of Prey
The Wedge-tailed Eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey and one of the most impressive birds found anywhere in the country. With a wingspan that can exceed 2.5 metres, these magnificent eagles can be seen throughout mainland Australia and Tasmania, from forests and mountain ranges to open grasslands and the vast interior.
Named for its distinctive wedge-shaped tail, which is particularly noticeable when the bird is soaring, the Wedge-tailed Eagle is built for life in the air. Its enormous wings allow it to ride rising currents of warm air for long periods, sometimes circling so high above the landscape that it becomes little more than a dark silhouette against the sky.
Wedge-tailed Eagles have exceptional eyesight and can detect potential food from great distances. Their diet includes rabbits, small mammals, reptiles and birds, while carrion is also an important food source. In rural and outback Australia, they are often seen feeding beside roads, although this unfortunately puts them at risk from passing vehicles.
Despite their size and power, these eagles don’t spend all their time actively hunting. They are masters at conserving energy, using thermal air currents to travel across large areas with surprisingly little effort. Watching one glide for minutes without appearing to flap its wings is one of the great sights of the Australian bush.
Wedge-tailed Eagles usually form long-term pairs and defend large territories. Their nests are enormous structures made from sticks and are generally constructed high in a large tree, although cliff ledges may also be used. A pair may return to the same nest over many breeding seasons, adding more material each year until the structure becomes several metres across.
Young eagles look different from mature adults. Juveniles tend to have lighter brown plumage, while older birds gradually develop the much darker colouring associated with the species. It can take several years before a young Wedge-tailed Eagle develops its full adult appearance.
The relationship between people and Wedge-tailed Eagles hasn’t always been an easy one. In the past, the birds were widely persecuted because they were blamed for killing livestock, particularly lambs. Attitudes have changed considerably as their ecological role has become better understood, and the eagle is now widely admired as one of Australia’s great native predators.
They also perform an important job as scavengers. By feeding on dead animals, Wedge-tailed Eagles help remove carrion from the landscape and recycle nutrients through the ecosystem.
Galah – Australia’s Pink and Grey Favourite
Few Australian birds are as easy to recognise as the Galah. With its bright pink chest, pale pink head, grey wings and expressive crest, it brings a splash of colour to paddocks, parks, roadsides and suburban gardens across much of the country.
Galahs are members of the cockatoo family and are highly social birds. They are commonly seen in pairs or large flocks, particularly around feeding areas and water. At times hundreds may gather together, creating a noisy cloud of pink and grey across the landscape.
They feed mainly on seeds, grasses and other plant material, usually spending considerable time foraging on the ground. Their strong beaks are well suited to cracking seeds, while their ability to take advantage of grain and agricultural landscapes has helped them adapt successfully to changes made by European settlement.
Galah pairs form strong bonds and can remain together for many years. During breeding season they usually nest in tree hollows, often lining the hollow with fresh eucalyptus leaves. Both parents share responsibility for incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.
Like many parrots, Galahs are intelligent, playful and curious. Their aerial acrobatics can be spectacular, with birds twisting, diving and swooping through the air. Young Galahs in particular seem quite capable of turning an ordinary tree into their own playground.
Their behaviour also gave Australia one of its more colourful insults. Calling someone a galah traditionally suggests they’re being a bit of a fool. The term probably isn’t entirely fair to the bird, which is considerably smarter than the expression suggests.
Galahs have adapted exceptionally well to human environments and can now be found in many towns and cities as well as rural Australia. Open grass, reliable water and scattered trees provide almost everything they need.
Colourful, noisy and full of personality, the Galah is one of those birds Australians can easily take for granted because it is so familiar. But watch a flock turn pink in the late-afternoon sun and it’s easy to appreciate just how beautiful this everyday Australian bird really is.
Rainbow Lorikeet – Australia’s Colourful Acrobat
The Rainbow Lorikeet looks as though someone used every colour available and decided not to stop. Its brilliant blue head, green wings, orange-red chest and flashes of yellow make it one of Australia’s most colourful and easily recognised parrots.
These energetic birds are naturally found along parts of northern and eastern Australia, although their range has changed over time and introduced populations occur elsewhere. They are especially common wherever flowering trees provide a reliable source of food.
Unlike parrots that specialise in cracking seeds, Rainbow Lorikeets are particularly adapted for feeding on nectar and pollen. Their tongues have specialised brush-like tips that help them collect food from flowers, making flowering eucalyptus and other native plants especially attractive.
They also eat fruit and occasionally other foods, moving between feeding areas in noisy flocks. When a tree is covered in blossoms, dozens of lorikeets may arrive together, climbing through branches and hanging upside down as they reach for flowers.
Rainbow Lorikeets are excellent flyers and remarkably agile. They race between trees at speed, twist through branches and frequently appear to have absolutely no concern about personal space. Feeding groups can be noisy, argumentative and extremely entertaining.
Breeding pairs usually nest in hollows in mature trees. The female incubates the eggs while both parents become involved in feeding and caring for the chicks after they hatch. As with many hollow-nesting Australian birds, the availability of suitable old trees is important.
Lorikeets have adapted extremely well to suburban life where gardens, flowering street trees and parks provide abundant feeding opportunities. In some areas they gather in enormous communal roosts at night, announcing their arrival with enough noise to make sure nobody overlooks them.
Bright, fast and endlessly busy, Rainbow Lorikeets bring an unmistakable burst of colour to Australian gardens and bushland. They may not be the quietest neighbours in the country, but they’re certainly among the most spectacular.
Superb Fairy-Wren – Australia’s Tiny Blue Jewel
The Superb Fairy-Wren may be tiny, but a breeding male is difficult to overlook. His brilliant blue crown and cheeks contrast with deep blue-black colouring, creating one of the most striking little birds found in Australian gardens and bushland.
Females and young birds look quite different, wearing softer brown and grey colouring that provides much better camouflage. Outside the breeding season, males can also lose much of their spectacular blue plumage and take on a more subdued appearance.
Superb Fairy-Wrens are found across south-eastern Australia and Tasmania, usually in places with plenty of dense low vegetation. Gardens with shrubs and native plants can provide excellent habitat, particularly when there are protected areas where the birds can forage and hide.
They spend much of their time close to the ground searching for insects and other tiny invertebrates. Their movements are quick and energetic, with birds hopping between branches and across open ground before disappearing back into vegetation.
Fairy-wrens usually live in small social groups. Their breeding behaviour is surprisingly complicated, with established pairs maintaining social bonds while both males and females may mate with birds outside that partnership. Other group members can also help care for the young.
Despite their delicate appearance, these birds can be bold and curious. They communicate constantly with soft calls as the group moves through its territory, keeping track of one another while remaining alert for predators.
Cats pose a serious danger to small ground-feeding birds such as fairy-wrens, while the removal of dense shrubs can also reduce suitable habitat. Gardens containing layers of native vegetation can give these tiny birds valuable places to feed, nest and shelter.
Seeing a male Superb Fairy-Wren in full blue breeding plumage is always a little special. For such a small bird, it carries an extraordinary amount of colour — a tiny flash of electric blue darting through the Australian bush.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo – Australia’s Noisy White Entertainer
The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is one Australian bird that rarely arrives unnoticed. Large, white and equipped with a brilliant yellow crest, it also possesses a voice capable of cutting through almost any peaceful morning.
These cockatoos occur across northern and eastern Australia and Tasmania, inhabiting forests, woodlands, farmland, parks and towns. They have adapted extremely well to living around people and are now a familiar sight in many Australian suburbs.
Their spectacular yellow crest is normally folded backwards but rises dramatically when the bird is excited, alarmed or displaying. Combined with their powerful curved beak and expressive behaviour, it gives the cockatoo an enormous amount of personality.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoos eat seeds, nuts, roots, bulbs and other plant material. They frequently forage on the ground in groups, sometimes with several birds acting as lookouts while the rest of the flock feeds.
That enormous beak isn’t just useful for food. Cockatoos are enthusiastic chewers and can make short work of timber, branches and occasionally things their human neighbours would rather they left alone. Their intelligence and curiosity mean almost anything can become worth investigating.
They usually nest in hollows high in mature trees, with both parents involved in raising their chicks. Large tree hollows may take many decades to develop, making the preservation of mature habitat particularly important for these birds and many other Australian species.
Cockatoos are highly social and often form large, noisy flocks. They communicate with harsh calls that carry over considerable distances, while pairs and family groups can also show strong bonds through grooming and close contact.
Intelligent, mischievous and impossible to ignore, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is one of Australia’s great avian characters. Whether admired for its beauty or blamed for dismantling something in the backyard, this noisy white entertainer certainly knows how to make its presence known.
Tawny Frogmouth – Master of Camouflage
At first glance, a Tawny Frogmouth sitting in a tree can look remarkably like a broken branch. That’s exactly the idea. Its mottled grey, brown and white feathers provide extraordinary camouflage, helping it almost disappear against Australian tree bark during daylight hours.
Despite often being mistaken for an owl, the Tawny Frogmouth isn’t one. Frogmouths belong to a different family of birds, although their nocturnal habits, large eyes and preference for hunting after dark make the confusion understandable.
During the day, a Frogmouth may sit almost motionless on a branch. If it senses danger, it can stretch its body upwards, narrow its eyes and point its broad beak towards the sky, making itself look even more like part of the tree.
Once darkness arrives, the bird becomes much more active. Tawny Frogmouths feed largely on insects, spiders, worms and other small creatures, while larger prey such as frogs and small reptiles may occasionally be taken.
Rather than chasing prey through the sky like many nocturnal hunters, Frogmouths often wait quietly on a perch. When something suitable appears below, they swoop down, capture it and return to their observation point.
Pairs commonly remain together for long periods and usually build fairly simple nests from sticks on horizontal tree branches. Both parents take part in incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.
Tawny Frogmouths live across most of Australia and can survive surprisingly well in suburban areas where mature trees remain. Their quiet daytime behaviour means people can live near them for years without realising they’re there.
With its huge mouth, serious expression and almost unbelievable ability to imitate a piece of timber, the Tawny Frogmouth is one of Australia’s strangest and most endearing birds. Sometimes the best way to find one is simply to look twice at every suspicious-looking branch.
Australian Pelican – The Bird with the Giant Bill
The Australian Pelican is difficult to overlook. It is one of Australia’s largest waterbirds, with a wingspan that can reach well over two metres and an enormous pink bill that seems almost ridiculously large compared with the rest of its head.
Australian Pelicans occur around coastlines, rivers, lakes, wetlands and inland waterways across the country. They are highly mobile and can travel enormous distances when changing rainfall creates temporary lakes and feeding opportunities far inland.
That extraordinary bill is perfectly designed for catching food. The flexible pouch beneath it acts like a net as the pelican scoops fish from the water. The bird then drains away the water before swallowing its catch.
Fish make up much of the diet, although pelicans are opportunistic feeders and will take crustaceans and other available animals. Groups sometimes work together, driving fish into shallow water where they are easier to catch.
Despite their bulky appearance on land, Australian Pelicans are graceful in flight. Their enormous wings allow them to use rising columns of warm air to gain height, and groups can soar in circles before gliding long distances with relatively little effort.
Their breeding behaviour is closely connected with Australian rainfall. When inland lakes fill after major rain events, huge numbers of pelicans may travel into the interior to breed, sometimes forming colonies containing thousands of birds.
Pelicans nest on the ground, generally on islands, shorelines or other open areas near water. Chicks begin life looking rather less elegant than their parents but grow rapidly as adults provide them with food.
With its enormous bill, black-and-white plumage and slightly comical walk, the Australian Pelican is unmistakable. Yet once airborne, the awkward-looking bird becomes an impressive soaring giant — another example of Australian wildlife being far more remarkable than it first appears.
Australian Magpie – Australia’s Famous Songbird
The Australian Magpie is one of the country’s most familiar birds. Its bold black-and-white plumage is instantly recognisable, but for many Australians it is the bird’s beautiful warbling song that makes it such an important part of everyday life.
Magpies live across most of Australia in open woodland, farmland, parks and suburban areas. Lawns and playing fields provide ideal feeding grounds, while nearby mature trees offer places to roost and nest.
Much of their food is found on the ground. Magpies walk across grass listening and watching carefully before using their strong beaks to pull insects, worms and other small creatures from beneath the surface.
They are intelligent and highly social birds, often living in established groups that defend a territory together. Magpies can recognise individual humans, remember previous encounters and learn a great deal about what happens within their local environment.
Their rich musical calls are among the most distinctive sounds of Australian mornings. Groups may sing together, producing complex carolling calls used to communicate and advertise ownership of their territory.
Of course, Australian Magpies also have another reputation. During spring, a small proportion of breeding males swoop people they consider a threat to their nest. Cyclists and pedestrians occasionally discover that a particular Magpie has taken territorial security extremely seriously.
The swooping season lasts only a relatively short time, and most Magpies never attack people at all. For the remainder of the year they are generally familiar neighbours, often becoming remarkably comfortable around humans who share their territory.
Beautiful singers, clever problem-solvers and occasionally overenthusiastic neighbourhood security guards, Australian Magpies are woven into everyday Australian life. Their morning song drifting across a quiet street or country paddock is one of those ordinary sounds that becomes deeply familiar.
Australia is home to an incredible array of bird species, each with its unique characteristics and behaviours. Whether you’re a bird enthusiast or just a curious traveller, exploring Australia’s diverse birdlife is an unforgettable experience.
