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 birding...

Australia
   
(visit this page on fatfisherman.com)
(visit this page on fatphotographer.net)

 







Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides ©Ian Montgomery http://birdway.com.au

Australia is, as we all know, the only country that is also a continent. Its not surprising therefore, that it has such a wide range of bird species and families and the number of endemics it has. For most visitors it will be necessary to get to grips with whole orders of birds not familiar from travels elsewhere. I have been fortunate enough to visit Australia 3 times, in the West, North, the Top End and several of the top spots of Queensland; and want to keep going back as the bird life is truly spectacular. It would be terrific if some passing Aussie should read this and decide to write a much better introduction.

Fortunately some local birders have been contributing introductions to individual Australian states - most of which could swallow half of Europe and have room for more. Birding is a very well established pastime and, as with most other professions, plenty of Aussie birders have been exported to and can be found leading groups all over the world! Similarly there are a growing number of websites dedicated to birding in Australia. There are a number of places catering for birders listed in Fatbirder's commercial section Places to Stay World pages.

Birds Australia Awareness Campaign - In October 2000 Birds Australia launched an Endangered Species campaign in order to bring the state of our native birds to the attention of all Australians and to a worldwide audience in order to precipitate action. A vital and exciting component of the campaign is a live broadcast attached to the Birds Australia website at http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au. Site visitors found themselves following the progress of a family of Peregrine Falcons and Tawny Frogmouth Owls, and watching new lives emerge, from hatchlings to fledglings.

While many Australians have read or heard about environmental catastrophes around the world, they have ignored the warning signs at home and now face the loss of many unique and beautiful birds. In 2001 7.5 million native birds died needlessly. Recent research shows that of 1247 species, 264, or 21% are now threatened. In other words, one in five native birds is facing extinction. For instance the beautiful Scarlet Robin is now found in only 49% of its former range, and the number of sightings of the Nankeen Kestrel have decreased by approximately 50% as have sightings of the majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle. Similar stories can be told of other species recorded in the Bird Atlas, a survey that maps distribution and abundance of every grid square in the country, produced with the assistance of over 8,000 Birds Australia volunteers.

Birds Australia is seeking your assistance in building awareness of the plight of their unique native species. For more information on Birds Australia please visit their website at http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au.

 
 

This page is sponsored by...
The Melbourne Birder

Steve Davidson - The Melbourne Birder - offers a range of bird-watching tours & guiding to international, interstate & local birders. Operating in Melbourne & regional Victoria we offer specifically designed trips to suit experienced or novice birders visiting Melbourne for a short stay. Steve has been birding in and around Melbourne his entire life and has an extensive knowledge and a comprehensive picture of the region’s birdlife. Habitats visited include wet & dry forest, heathlands, wetlands, coastal & marine habitats. We regularly see species such as Superb Lyrebird, White-throated Nightjar, Pilotbird, Beautiful Firetail, Lewin's Rail, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Southern Emu-wren, Pink Robin, Sooty Owl, Cicadabird, Red-browed Treecreeper, Spotted Quail-thrush, Rufous Bristlebird and Cape Barren Goose. In winter there is the chance of seeing the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. Contact Steve for a day's birding you won't forget. Click the logo to check out the website then call +61 431 530 631 or email info@themelbournebirder.com
 

 

Number of bird species: 856
National Bird - Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae - it is on the Australian Coat-of-arms

Number of endemics: 278 [188 Passerines]
[5] Passerines: Rainbow Pitta Pitta iris White-throated Treecreeper Cormobates leucophaeus White-browed Treecreeper Climacteris affinis Red-browed Treecreeper Climacteris erythrops Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus Black-tailed Treecreeper Climacteris melanura Rufous Treecreeper Climacteris rufa Albert`s Lyrebird Menura alberti Rufous Scrub-bird Atrichornis rufescens Noisy Scrub-bird Atrichornis clamosus Green Catbird Ailuroedus crassirostris Tooth-billed Catbird Scenopooetes dentirostris Golden Bowerbird Prionodura newtoniana Regent Bowerbird Sericulus chrysocephalus Satin Bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus violaceus Western Bowerbird Chlamydera guttata Spotted Bowerbird amydera maculata Great Bowerbird amydera nuchalis


[6] Passerines: Red-backed Fairywren Malurus melanocephalus White-winged Fairywren Malurus leucopterus Splendid Fairywren Malurus splendens Variegated Fairywren Malurus lamberti Lovely Fairywren Malurus amabilis Red-winged Fairywren Malurus elegans Blue-breasted Fairywren Malurus pulcherrimus Purple-crowned Fairywren Malurus coronatus Rufous-crowned Emuwren Stipiturus ruficeps Mallee Emuwren Stipiturus mallee Grey Grasswren Amytornis barbatus White-throated Grasswren Amytornis woodwardi Carpentarian Grasswren Amytornis dorotheae Striated Grasswren Amytornis striatus Eyrean Grasswren Amytornis goyderi Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis textilis Dusky Grasswren Amytornis purnelli Black Grasswren Amytornis housei


[7] Passerines: Banded Honeyeater Certhionyx pectoralis Black Honeyeater Certhionyx niger Pied Honeyeater Certhionyx variegatus White-streaked Honeyeater Trichodere cockerelli Yellow-spotted Honeyeater Meliphaga notata Lewin`s Honeyeater Meliphaga lewinii White-lined Honeyeater Meliphaga albilineata Bridled Honeyeater Lichenostomus frenatus Eungella Honeyeater Lichenostomus hindwoodi Yellow-faced Honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops Mangrove Honeyeater Lichenostomus fasciogularis Singing Honeyeater Lichenostomus virescens Yellow Honeyeater Lichenostomus flavus White-gaped Honeyeater Lichenostomus unicolor White-eared Honeyeater Lichenostomus leucotis Yellow-throated Honeyeater Lichenostomus flavicollis Yellow-tufted Honeyeater Lichenostomus melanops Purple-gaped Honeyeater Lichenostomus cratitius Grey-headed Honeyeater Lichenostomus keartlandi Fuscous Honeyeater Lichenostomus fuscus Grey-fronted Honeyeater Lichenostomus plumulus Yellow-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus ornatus White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus


[8] Passerines Macleay Honeyeater Xanthotis macleayanaL White-naped Honeyeater I>ithreptus lunatus lack-headed Honeyeater I>ithreptus affinis lack-chinned Honeyeater I>Melithreptus gularis trong-billed Honeyeater I>Melithreptus validirostrisBrown-headed Honeyeater I>Melithreptus brevirostris Silver-crowned Friarbird Philemon argenticeps White-cheeked Honeyeater Phylidonyris nigra White-fronted Honeyeater Phylidonyris albifrons Bar-breasted Honeyeater Ramsayornis fasciatus Striped Honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolata Rufous-throated Honeyeater Conopophila rufogularis Grey Honeyeater Conopophila whitei Painted Honeyeater Grantiella picta Regent Honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia Western Spinebill Acanthorhynchus superciliosus


[9] Passerines Bell Miner Manorina melanophrys Yellow-throated Miner Manorina flavigula Black-eared Miner Manorina melanotis Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis Little Wattlebird Anthochaera lunulata Red Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata Yellow Wattlebird Anthochaera paradoxa Crimson Chat Epthianura tricolor Orange Chat Epthianura aurifrons Yellow Chat Epthianura crocea Gibberbird Ashbyia lovensis Forty-spotted Pardalote Pardalotus quadragintus Red-browed Pardalote Pardalotus rubricatus Western Bristlebird Dasyornis longirostris Eastern Bristlebird Dasyornis brachypterus Rufous Bristlebird Dasyornis broadbenti Pilotbird Pycnoptilus floccosus Origma Origma solitaria Fernwren Oreoscopus gutturalis Yellow-throated Scrubwren Sericornis citreogularis White-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalis Brown Scrubwren Sericornis humilis Atherton Scrubwren Sericornis keri Large-billed Scrubwren Sericornis magnirostris Scrubtit Acanthornis magnus


[10] Passerines Redthroat Pyrrholaemus brunneus Speckled Warbler Chthonicola sagittatus Rufous Calamanthus Calamanthus campestris Chestnut-rumped Hylacola Hylacola pyrrhopygia Shy Hylacola Hylacola cautus Mountain Thornbill Acanthiza katherina Tasmanian Thornbill Acanthiza ewingii Buff-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza reguloides Western Thornbill Acanthiza inornata Slender-billed Thornbill Acanthiza iredalei Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza uropygialis Yellow Thornbill Acanthiza nana Striated Thornbill Acanthiza lineata Slaty-backed Thornbill Acanthiza robustirostris Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris Dusky Gerygone Gerygone tenebrosa Western Gerygone Gerygone fusca Brown Gerygone Gerygone mouki Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis Chestnut-breasted Whiteface Aphelocephala pectoralis Banded Whiteface Aphelocephala nigricincta Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii Rose Robin Petroica rosea Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata Dusky Robin Melanodryas vittata Pale-yellow Robin Tregellasia capito Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis Grey-breasted Robin Eopsaltria griseogularis White-breasted Robin Eopsaltria georgiana White-browed Robin Poecilodryas superciliosa Grey-headed Robin Heteromyias cinereifrons Southern Scrub-Robin Drymodes brunneopygia


[11] Passerines Chowchilla Orthonyx spaldingii White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus Hall`s Babbler Pomatostomus halli Chestnut-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus ruficeps Eastern Whipbird Psophodes olivaceus Western Whipbird Psophodes nigrogularis Chiming Wedgebill Psophodes occidentalis Chirruping Wedgebill Psophodes cristatus Chestnut Quail-thrush Cinclosoma castanotus Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma castaneothorax Cinnamon Quail-thrush Cinclosoma cinnamomeum White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera Crested Shrike-tit Falcunculus frontatus Crested Bellbird Oreoica gutturalis Red-lored Whistler Pachycephala rufogularis Gilbert`s Whistler Pachycephala inornata Brown Whistler Pachycephala simplex White-breasted Whistler Pachycephala lanioides Bower`s Shrike-thrush Colluricincla boweri Sandstone Shrike-thrush Colluricincla woodwardi Little Crow Corvus bennetti Australian Raven Corvus coronoides Little Raven Corvus mellori Relict Raven Corvus boreus Victoria`s Riflebird Ptiloris victoriae Paradise Riflebird Ptiloris paradiseus Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis Black Currawong Strepera fuliginosa


[12] Passerines Masked Woodswallow Artamus personatus White-browed Woodswallow Artamus superciliosus Little Woodswallow Artamus minor Ground Cuckooshrike Coracina maxima White-eared Monarch Monarcha leucotis Pied Monarch Arses kaupi Russet-tailed Thrush Zoothera heinei White-backed Swallow Cheramoeca leucosternus Fairy Martin Hirundo ariel Australian Yellow White-eye Zosterops luteus Brown Songlark Cincloramphus cruralis Rufous Songlark Cincloramphus mathewsi Spinifex-bird Eremiornis carteri Painted Firetail Emblema pictum Red-eared Firetail Stagonopleura oculata Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata Red-browed Firetail Neochmia temporalis Star Finch Neochmia ruficauda Plum-headed Finch Neochmia modesta Chestnut-eared Finch Taeniopygia castanotis Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii Masked Finch Poephila personata Long-tailed Finch Poephila acuticauda Black-throated Finch Poephila cincta Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae Yellow-rumped Munia Lonchura flaviprymna Pictorella Munia Heteromunia pectoralis


[1] Non-passerines: Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae Australian Brush-turkey Alectura lathami Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata Stubble Quail Coturnix pectoralis Plumed Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoni Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis Musk Duck Biziura lobata Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa Cape Barren Goose Cereopsis novaehollandiae Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus Maned Duck Chenonetta jubata Black-breasted Buttonquail Turnix melanogaster Chestnut-backed Buttonquail Turnix castanota Buff-breasted Buttonquail Turnix olivii Painted Buttonquail Turnix varia Red-chested Buttonquail Turnix pyrrhothorax Little Buttonquail Turnix velox Red-backed Kingfisher Todiramphus pyrrhopygia Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris


[2] Non-passerines: Black-eared Cuckoo Chrysococcyx osculans White-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus baudinii Slender-billed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus latirostris Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami Pink Cockatoo Cacatua leadbeateri Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea Western Corella Cacatua pastinator Long-billed Corella Cacatua tenuirostris Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus Varied Lorikeet Psitteuteles versicolor Purple-crowned Lorikeet Glossopsitta porphyrocephala Australian King-Parrot Alisterus scapularis Superb Parrot Polytelis swainsonii Regent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplus Alexandra`s Parrot Polytelis alexandrae Red-capped Parrot Purpureicephalus spurius Green Rosella Platycercus caledonicus Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans Northern Rosella Platycercus venustus Pale-headed Rosella Platycercus adscitus Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius


[3] Non-passerines: Western Rosella Platycercus icterotis Bluebonnet Northiella haematogaster Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus Mulga Parrot Psephotus varius Hooded Parrot Psephotus dissimilis Golden-shouldered Parrot Psephotus chrysopterygius Bourke`s Parrot Neopsephotus bourkii Elegant Parrot Neophema elegans Rock Parrot Neophema petrophila Turquoise Parrot Neophema pulchella Scarlet-chested Parrot Neophema splendida Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus Ground Parrot Pezoporus wallicus Night Parrot Pezoporus occidentalis Australian Swiftlet Aerodramus terraereginae Chillagoe Swiftlet Aerodramus chillagoensis Greater Sooty-Owl Tyto tenebricosa Tasmanian Masked-Owl Tyto castanops Powerful Owl Ninox strenua Southern Boobook Ninox boobook


[4] Non-passerines: Western Rosella Platycercus icterotis Bluebonnet Northiella haematogaster Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus Mulga Parrot Psephotus varius Hooded Parrot Psephotus dissimilis Golden-shouldered Parrot Psephotus chrysopterygius Bourke`s Parrot Neopsephotus bourkii Elegant Parrot Neophema elegans Rock Parrot Neophema petrophila Turquoise Parrot Neophema pulchella Scarlet-chested Parrot Neophema splendida Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus Ground Parrot Pezoporus wallicus Night Parrot Pezoporus occidentalis Australian Swiftlet Aerodramus terraereginae Chillagoe Swiftlet Aerodramus chillagoensis Greater Sooty-Owl Tyto tenebricosa Tasmanian Masked-Owl Tyto castanops Powerful Owl Ninox strenua Southern Boobook Ninox boobook Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura Black-breasted Buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon Black-winged Kite Elanus axillaris Letter-winged Kite Elanus scriptus Red Goshawk Erythrotriorchis radiatus Grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos Black Falcon Falco subniger

A Photographic Guide to Birds of Australia

Peter Rowland Series: PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDES SERIES (NEW HOLLAND NATURAL HISTORY) 144 pages, 250 col photos, maps. New Holland Publishers
ISBN: 1853685992
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Bird Calls of Eastern Australia

Len Gillard Birds Australia (Royal Australasian Ornithological Society)
ISBN: 42466
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Birding Australia

A Directory of Australian Birding Lloyd Nielsen 164 pages, b/w photos, tabs, maps. Lloyd Nielsen
ISBN: 0957988117
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Collins Field Guide to Birds of Australia

The Definitive Work on Bird Identification Graham Pizzey 576 pages, 2500 col illus, 700 distribution maps. Harper Collins Australia
ISBN: 0207198217
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Field Guide to Australian Birds

Michael Morcombe 448 pages, 3000 col illus, 850 maps. Steve Parish Publishing See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 174021417X
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Field Guide to Australian Birds [Complete Compact Edition]

By Michael Morcombe Steve Parish Publishing 2004
See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 1740215591
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Field Guide to the Birds of Australia

[7th Edition] by Ken Simpson and Nicolas Day [with Peter Trustler] May 2004
See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 0713669829
Buy this book from NHBS.com

How Many Birds is That?

From the Forty Spotted Pardalote on Bruny Island to the White-tailed Tropicbird on Cape York Sue Taylor 154 pages Hyland House
ISBN: 1864470445
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Photographic Field Guide: Birds of Australia

Jim Flegg and S Madge 368 pages, 825 colour photos, 760 plus 2 col distribution maps. New Holland Publishers
ISBN: 1876334789
Buy this book from NHBS.com

The Big Twitch

by Sean Dooley, Allen & Unwin [Australia] 2005
See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 1741145287
Buy this book from NHBS.com

The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds

Peter Slater 344 pages, 157 col plates, b/w plates, 750 maps. New Holland Publishers
ISBN: 1877069000
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Where to Find Birds in Australia

John Bransbury Waymark (1987)
ISBN: 0646126776
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Where to Watch Birds in Australasia & Oceania

Nigel Wheatley Helm (1998)
ISBN: 0713645431
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Proact


Coordinator: Craig Hopkins
Members: 16
Join us at http://www.proact-campaigns.net/team
Contact your coordinator via mailto:info@proact-campaigns.net

Australasian Raptor Association

Website

The Australasian Raptor Association was established in 1979 to promote the study, conservation and management of diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey (raptors) throughout Australasia. The region extends east and southeast from Wallace's Line, and from the southeastern portion of Asia, and encompasses approximately the southwestern quadrant of the Pacific. It includes Australia, New Zealand and the islands of the South West Pacific. We are a specialist group of the Royal Australian Ornithological Union, (RAOU); and have a close association with a number of government departments and research institutions throughout the region...

Australasian Seabird Group (ASG)

Website

The ASG, the oldest of Birds Australia's Special Interest Groups, was formed in 1971. Its objectives are to promote seabird research and conservation in Australiasia. The Group pursues its objectives through the co-ordination of the beach patrol project, publication of the bulletin and other seabird material (Seabird Atlas, Journal of Marine Ornithology), organisation of symposia of issues affecting seabirds and presents expert opinion on the management and conservation of seabird populations in Australasia...

Australasian Wader Studies Group (AWSG)

Website

The AWSG was formed in 1981 to coordinate and focus studies on waders, or shorebirds. These comprise the many plovers and sandpipers in the families Charadriidae and Scolopacidae, as well as the stone-curlews, snipes, pratincoles, oystercatchers, stilts, avocets and the Plains-wanderer...

Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme

Website

On 18th September 1887, an albatross of undetermined species was found near Triggs Island, Western Australia, with a tin collar around its neck which carried the following message: 13 naufrages sont refugies sur les iles Crozet 4 Aout 1887 (thirteen shipwrecked sailors have taken refuge on the Crozet Islands, August 4 1887). This message was telegraphed to the French authorities, who despatched the warship La Meurthe from Madagascar to the Crozets, which are in the south Indian Ocean, and it was established that the message had been attached to the albatross by the crew of the French sailing ship Tamaris, which was wrecked in the Crozets on 9th March 1887. The unfortunate seamen, however, did not live to see the sucessful result of their experiment in bird banding, as they apparently perished in an ill-fated attempt to reach nearby Possession Island, two months before the arrival , on 2nd December 1887 of La Meurthe.

Australian Bird Study Association

Website

The Australian Bird Study Association Inc.(ABSA) supports amateur and professional research on Australia`s avian fauna (birds). This ornithology organisation has over 400 private members, many of whom are active banders, as well as over 150 institutional members.

Australian Wildlife Conservancy

Website

AWC is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of Australia’s threatened wildlife and ecosystems...

Avicultural Federation of Australia

Website

The Conservation Committee works as part of the Avicultural Federation of Australia, the peak avicultural organisation in Australia, to work for the conservation of rare and endangered bird species. The Conservation Committee welcomes participation by all aviculturists and societies, whether or not affiliated with the AFA.

Bird Observation & Conservation Australia

Website

Bird Observation & Conservation Australia (BOCA) is a major birding and conservation organisation including 49 Branches and Affiliates with members all over Australia. BOCA has been established for more than 100 years, and, until recently, was known as The Bird Observers Club of Australia. BOCA functions as an independent, non-profit environmental charity, which relies on subscriptions, donations, hundreds of (Ext) volunteers and a small team of dedicated staff…

Birds Australia

Website

415 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn East, Victoria 3123 +61 3 9882 267 mail@birdsaustralia.com.au
Birds Australia began life as the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (RAOU) in 1901. We thought that title was a bit of a mouthful, so now we call ourselves Birds Australia. BA is dedicated to the conservation, study and enjoyment of Australia`s native birds and their habitats.

Birds Australia Records Committee

Website

Form, how to submit records, etc...

Birds Australia Rarities Committee

Website

Why submit a record to BARC? This is a question that is often asked and the answer is fairly simple; records of rarities are of real interest to the ornithological community. They have done a lot to improve understanding of distribution limits, migration routes and field identification of many species of bird...

Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater

Website

Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater formed in May 1989 when the Helmeted Honeyeater population reached a critically low level of 50 birds...

Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union

Website

Birds Australia (also known as the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union) is one of this nation`s oldest conservation organisations. BA is dedicated to the understanding, conservation and enjoyment of Australia`s wild, native birds and their habitats.

Wildcare Queanbeyan Inc.

Website

Wildcare Queanbeyan Inc. is a non-profit organization, managed by volunteers who are dedicated to the preservation of Australian native wildlife...

Australian Birdfair

http://australianbirdfair.org.au

Australian Birdfair's fourth Fair will be held on 13-15 November 2009 and the fifth Australian Birdfair is from 12-14 November 2010. The Australian Birdfair 2009 will be held at the Yanco Agricultural Institute – Murrumbidgee Rural Studies Centre. The Australian Birdfair is to showcase our native wild birds, and the ecosystems of which they are part and dependent upon.

See State Pages

ACS Distance Education - Ornithology - BEN102

http://www.acseduonline.com/courses/product.aspx?id=177

The aim of this course is to introduce the student to the many interesting and diverse bird species, and their physiology and habitats. You will learn a wide variety of things, through a combination of things such as reading, interacting with tutors, undertaking research and practical tasks, including observing birds....

Australian Museum On Line

http://www.amonline.net.au/birds/

The ornithological collection contains about 70,000 specimens. In addition to the major Australian collection, there is a good coverage of New Guinea, New Zealand and South Pacific birds and a large representation (95%) of the world families. Although the skin collection makes up the majority of the ornithological holdings, osteological, anatomical and oological (egg) collections provide an important coverage of the Australian avifauna. Collection data are on a computer-based system.

National Museum of Australia

http://www.nma.gov.au/

...was built in Canberra, the national capital of Australia, to celebrate the Centenary of Federation in 2001.

BOCA - Birding Resources Guide

Website
BOCA has introduced a guide to birding resources in Australia, which lists all the major bird clubs and links to many recommended birding places using Google Map...

2000 [August] - Tony Clarke

Report

I met with the group at Sydney airport but by the time we had all got together and sorted out the vehicle hire there was no time left to see anything. We then drove down to Wollongong where we stayed overnight in the Downtown Motel...

2002 [December] - Dianne & David Lucas

Report

We collected a hire car and drove straight to Centenary Lakes and surrounding park. We did not walk far as the humidity and the biting insects immediately got the better of us. There were the usual common birds on the ponds, and figbirds, spoonbills and drongos etc. in the trees...

2002 [February] - Gruff Dodd - South East & Tasmania

Report

We were delighted with the way the trip worked out. Thanks to the huge amount of local assistance we received I managed to see 274 species in just 2 weeks birding...

2003 [March] - Stephen Mawby - Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia

Report

This trip was the result of a marriage break-up and was undertaken with a long-time non-birding friend who wanted to enjoy some cricket down-under. As a result, the first part of the trip was planned around the 4th and 5th Test matches of England`s Ashes tour of 2002/2003. Consequently, the first month was spent around the south-east of Australia with the move north towards Queensland not taking place until early January.

2004 [February] - Gary & Marlene Babic - Adelaide / Strzelecki / Sydney / Brisbane

Report

In connection with a business trip, my wife Marlene and I planned a one-week trip to the Birdsville and Strzelecki tracks for January 2004. However, after receiving multiple cautions that January is a difficult (and potentially life-threatening time) to do this trip, we changed plans and decided to concentrate on the Adelaide area, with a brief foray to the start of the Strzelecki Track. On subsequent weekends, we also stopped in Sydney and Brisbane...

2004 [September] - Peter Ericsson

Report

...A group of Splendid Fairy Wrens were next to our window and the male in full breeding color sure lives up to his name. Grey Shrike-thrushes were hopping along the ground. Red-winged Fairy Wrens in the low bushes, Grey Fantail with its Flycatcher like song lingered around. Also my only White-browed Babbler of the trip passed through the garden, thrilling my heart...

2005 [February] - Simon Plat & Maaike Poppinga

Report

2005 [May] - Phil Gregory - Top End & E Queensland

Report

This was a private trip to enjoy the birds, mammals and scenery of the tropical north of Australia. We began in Brisbane where we saw the Mangrove Honeyeater immediately (for a change!), then picking up Collared Kingfisher and Mangrove Gerygone too. Next we saw the first of some 5 Square-tailed Kites...

2005 [October] - Edward Hall & Jim Zimmer - Darwin, Cairns, Melbourne, Brisbane

Report

Jim Zimmer and I recently spent 21 days of intense birding in the vicinity of Darwin, Cairns, Melbourne and Brisbane. We made all of our own arrangements via the internet – accommodations, transportation, and guides. We used top Australian birding guides throughout. Our itinerary follows. We saw a bit over 400 species during our stay, most new to us...

2005 [October] - Iain Campbell

Report

This trip was about getting lots and lots of birds, having great looks at them and chilling out at the end of the day. All up we saw 404 species of birds with two of the three guests seeing 402 of them. Because two of the group enjoyed digiscoping and the third member was unbelievably accommodating, we took many opportunities to photograph birds as well as watching them. This was a great birding trip, which seemed to be effortless and jam-packed with birds...

2006 [August] -Gail Mackiernan & Barry Cooper

Report

In summer of 2006 we took a long-delayed trip to Australia, a continent which had beckoned for a number of years. This trip focused on the NE (Queensland) and the Top End (Northern Territories); Australia is a large country and (like the USA) requires several trips to thoroughly sample its wonderful bird life. We were fortunate to have the help of many Aussie birders who went out of their way to help, by taking us out to special sites or helping us find target birds...

2006 [December] - Justin Jansen & Danitsja Stapel

Report

This trip was organised to find the missing species I did not find on my previous three trips within Australia, and seeing as many different parts of Australia as my girlfriend never visited this country before...

2006 [November] - Iain Campbell - Tropical Birding

Report

...Surprisingly, we ended up seeing a number of these beautiful Cuckoo-shrikes over the coming days that are nomadic species in relation to abundance of fruiting trees. We then headed off into one of Cairns's quiet parks where we came across a few Yellow & Brown-backed Honeyeaters and the main bird we had come here for...

2006 [October] - David Shackelford

Report

...It is here we began in earnest at sea front along the Esplanade where the incoming tides allowed us scan the mudflats finding such avian gems as Black-necked Stork, a lone Bush Thick-knee and a host of eastern migrant waders including Great Knot, Gray-tailed Tattler, and Far Eastern Curlew...

2006 [October] - Rod & Jeanie Atkins

Report

It is hard to describe the pleasure those first days gave us. The walk along the esplanade was full of birds both on the trees, grass and on the mud flats. We had bought the Simpson and Day field guide with which we were relatively pleased and had fun trying to work out which birds the Magpie Lark and Willie Wagtail were. On the esplanade we came across a group of 3 local birders who were very helpful and showed us the Sharp-tailed, Curlew and Tereck Sandpipers amongst the usual Godwits, Greenshanks, Knots etc. The Tattler and Red Necked Stint were also a first for us as were the Variegated and Yellow honeyeaters...

2007 [April] - Duan Biggs

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In the order of trip: Werribbee, Phillip’s Island, Great Ocean Road, Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, Windorah, Scotia Sanctuary NSW, Broken Hill, Mount Remarkable, Port Augusta, Gluepot Nature Reserve, Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, Great Ocean Road, return to Melbourne...

2009 [November] - Michael Retter

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The array of habitats visited (and thus, birds seen) on this tour makes it an ideal excursion for anyone who has never visited the continent. We started in the warm, lush rainforests of northern Queensland, traveled inland to the desert-like outback of western New South Wales, watched clouds of seabirds and whales off the rocky coast near Sydney, and ended on the snow-covered peaks of Tasmania...

2009 [November] - Tristan Norton & Robin Norton

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A fantastic 4 week trip Down Under, covering Eastern Australia from Melbourne to Cairns as well as Darwin, with a final trip total of 296 species, including 230 lifers...

2010 [December] - Rosemary & Peter Royle - West, South & Tasmania

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Whilst this 10 week trip was primarily intended as a birdwatching trip and we wanted to see as many of the possible birds as we could, we also wanted to walk, photograph and explore, and to experience the varied scenery and habitats, and especially the flowers which these parts of Australia offer. The trip was a great success – we love Australia and can’t wait to get back...

2011 [November] - David & Amanda Mason

Report

For some reason, which I can’t remember now, when we went to New Zealand 13 years ago, we didn’t fancy Australia. Times change; a list of potential lifers as long as your arm and the exhortations of friends we had met in the Amazon in 2008 to come to Sydney and visit them were just too much to ignore. Rather than attempt the impossible and see the whole country we decided to limit our trip to the east coast, taking in Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart...

Tim Dolby's bird trip report site

Report

Birds and birding in Alice Springs, Cairns, Chiltern, Croajingolong, Darwin, Flinders Ranges, Gluepot, Grampians, Great Barrier Reef, Gulf of Carpentaria, Hattah, Kakadu, Lamington, Little Desert, Murray-Sunset, Simpson Desert, Strzelecki Track, Sturt NP, Terrick Terrick and Wyperfeld...

Australia Wildlife Tours

Tour Operator

Cairns - Australia rainforest sanctuary dedicated to the conservation of cassowaries also 135 other bird species profits from tours go to wildlife habitat conservation. genuine birdwatchers who book one of our wildlife tours get free unlimited access to our private sanctuary to look for pittas wompoos kingfishers etc.....help save our wildlife.

Birding Pal

Information

Local birders willing to show visiting birders their area...

Birding Tours Australia

Tour Operator

Australia has about 780 endemic/migratory species and our tour area is home to over 300 of these at different times of the year. Our 1 or 2 day tours are an excellent way of seeing many of Australia's unique bird species...

Coates Wildlife Tours

Tour Operator

Coates Wildlife Tours is family owned and the first company in Western Australia to operate authentic nature based tours over such a wide area...

Fine Feather Tours

Tour Operator

Fine Feather Tours is owned and operated by Del and Pat Richards, and is based in Mossman, North Queensland, adjacent to the richest birding area in Australia. Well over half of Australia`s species have been recorded within a distance of 200 kilometres. Fatbirder Recommended

Follow That Bird

Tour Operator

Our team provides comfortable, high quality birdwatching tours with professional guides and well planned itineraries throughout Australia...

Kimberley Birdwatching

Tour Operator

Kimberley Birdwatching is based in Broome, which is situated in the southwest corner of the Kimberley division. The Kimberley is one of the most exciting and least explored regions for the birdwatcher and naturalist. Our tours also cover the Northern Territory. This company is owned and operated by George Swann (what a great name for a birder) and a jolly nice fella he is too. He will be desperately disappointed if he can`t get you the bird you are after and will turn out for an extra half day or evening to try again. Fatbirder Recommended

Manu Tours

Tour Operator

For birders and naturalists Australia is a fantastic destination. With over 750 recorded bird species, of which 320 are endemic and an amazing collection of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Australia is a vast continent and we have chosen these areas for the great variety of birds and wildlife found here...

Nature Travel Specialists

Tour Operator

Nature Travel Specialists believes that travel is most enjoyable when it expands the horizons of both visitor and visited, when both give and receive from each other. With this in mind we design itineraries that enable our travelers to explore the natural areas of the world, in the company of English-speaking local tour guides who know their country and region intimately...

Wild Watch Australia

Tour Operator

WildWatch operates a birding and wildlife (and photography) guiding business out of Cairns. In addition to conducting excursions in the Cairns and Tablelands region, they also run tours to Cape York, Iron Range, Kakadu, Tasmania and most other notable birding spots throughout Australia.

Birding-Aus

Mailing List
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Discussion Group BIRDING-AUS offers a free electronic mailing list for anyone with an interest in Australian wild birds.

Feathers and Photos

Forum
a friendly and informative forum where birders and bird photographers alike, can share their love of Australian birds.

Allen & Unwin

Website

Allen & Unwin are now the distributors of a range of ornithological books including Christopher Helm and Pica Press in Australia and New Zealand.

Australian Bird Song

Website

Archive & library service...

Australian Birding Webring

Website

A webring of Australian birding websites. The webring idea is growing - its a way of linking websites together that have a common thread such as birding.

Australian Checklist

Website

Just that - from Birds Australia.

Australian Cuckoos

Website

Everything you ever wanted to know about Australasian cuckoos.

Australian Wetland Birds

Website

The main groups of wetland birds are grebes, pelicans, cormorants, long-legged wading birds (such as the heron) and waterfowl, as well as a large group known as ’waders’. Waders include a variety of birds including godwits, knots, snipes, tattlers and sandpipers. Australian wetlands provide a range of feeding grounds for these different birds. Snipes feed in long grass at the water’s edge, plovers along the muddy shores; herons stalk the shallows, while grebes, ducks and cormorants feed in the open water. Some birds could not survive without wetlands; others may use them only to raise their young or to roost

Backyard Birdwatch

Website

Guide to ID etc.

Birders Totals

Website

Australia Life List Rankings...

Birding Australia

Website

Your guide to the best books, literature and information for birders visiting Australia and Australians birding at home. My Shop contains carefully chosen, competitively priced books, CDs and other reference products to enhance your birding experiences in Australia. My book Birding Australia, a complete directory of Australian birding, is published in two editions, one designed for international visitors, the other for Australian birders...

Birdwatching Australia

Website

A directory of Australian birdwatching tours, bird clubs, freelance-guides, bird-orientated accommodation and reference information. - I found it to be really useful when planning a trip down under. [Fatbirder]

Camera Warehouse

Website

Camera Warehouse makes it easy to find what you need...

Environmental Resource Information Network

Website

A good starting point to find out information relating to environmental issues…

Eremaea Birds

Website

A free birding records database and atlas...

Field Guide to Australian Birds

Website

Michael Morcombe`s excellent book is now online and you can help him keep it up to date - what a brilliant idea!

Nature Sound

Website

Bird, Frog and Mammal calls encompassing the tropical and subtropical regions of eastern Australia with detailed support information in the cover. Comprehensive coverage includes 5 frog species which are believed to be extinct.

OzBirds

Website

A database of birds, sightings and photos...

Pelagic Birding Homepage

Website

Welcome to the Australian Pelagic Home Page: A page dedicated to those with an interest in pelagic bird watching, photography and whale-watching. Offering some interesting information on what can be seen around oceans of Australia. Pelagic trips have been departing from a number of ports around Australia for many years now, providing a considerable amount of information on the birds and mammals likely to be encountered.

York Optical

Website

Welcome to York Optical - the largest chain of optical products in Australia. Our focus is customer service, the best advice and the largest choice available in telescopes, binoculars and all other optical equipment...

Art - Oz Wildlife Art

Gallery

Birds and Garden Guests photography and fine art…

Australian Bird Video Archive

Gallery

Download movie clips of birds in Australia...

Film Maker - John Young

Gallery

Welcome to a world of creatures rare and wonderful - and the amazing domain of cinematographer John Young and the team who form John Young Wildlife Enterprises... PO Box 1511, Toowong, Qld 4066, Australia Tel: 07 3870 4308 Mailto:iain@johnyoungwildlife.com

Gallery - Birdphotos

Gallery

Australian Birdlife Photo Library [Greg Holland & Leon Keasey]...

Gallery - OzBirds

Gallery

A database of birds, sightings and photos...

Photographer - David Cook

Gallery

Welcome to birds of ... , a site dedicated to wild birds and bird photography. It shows some of the birds that I have encountered on my travels...

Photographer - Ian Montgomery

Gallery

Ian Montgomery invites you to share the beauty and fascination of wild birds as seen through his eyes and camera...

Photographer - Jonathan Munro

Gallery

An excellent selection of Australian birds and beasts...

Photographer - Sarah Koschak

Gallery

Gallery with some truly stunning photographs...

Photographer - Tom Tarrant

Gallery

Some lovely pictures of some lovely birds from around the world.

Photographers - Greg Holland & Leon Keasey

Gallery

This site features an outstanding collection of high quality photos of Australian bird life, containing hundreds of species...

Sound Recordist - David Stewart - Nature Sound

Gallery

Excellent CDs with no voice over and the most extensive indexes in the business!

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