Bird-watching Australia

Unique Australian animals are waiting for you

Do you like bird-watching? Australia and the Outback is the way to go.

A visit to Australia wouldn't be complete without paying attention to the unique Australian nature, its stunning animals and colourful birds.

A short bird history

Emus, parrots and cassowaries are the oldest endemic Australian birds that originate from Gondwana. Songbirds like wrens, robins and magpies belong to Australasia. Robins and wrens might look like the northern hemisphere species, however, they are not genetic related. Later colonists came from Eurasia and include swallows, larks and some raptors.

Blackbirds, starlings and sparrows were introduced by humans and are rather destructive to the native fauna, while the goldfinch and greenfinch don't cause many problems.

corrella

Little Corella in the Australian Outback

I just love the sound of the native Australian birds. It can be heard everywhere around the country. Birdsongs are the first thing I recognize when I leave the airport down under. The sound of Australia's birds is so unusual for European ears.

So what's the best place for bird-watching? Any place!

Australian cities and towns have many trees and bushes, along streets, in parks and your home's backyard. These places are visited by all kinds of pigeons, colourful parrots, magpies and perhaps a kookaburra.

eagle

Wedge-tailed eagles and other bird of prey hover majestic in the clear blue sky. You'll see them often while driving along the highways as roadkills are part of their diet. Not a pretty sight, but that's nature!

Australia's rivers and wetlands are home for many species of waterbirds. The Brolga is the most beautiful of them. Would you believe that a usually dry salt lake like Lake Eyre comes alive with thousands of pelicans and other birds once there's water in the lake?

Out in the Outback you can see huge flocks of budgerigars, zebra finches and all kinds of cockatoos. It is amazing to see them, feeling free and happy to fly. You probably won't ever keep a budgie as a pet after you've seen that.

corellas

Corellas having breakfast in Outback Queensland

Bird-watching needs some time and patience, especially if you want to take some good photos. But the uniqueness of Australian birds makes it a rewarding experience.

If you think bird-watching could be a major part of your Outback Australia travel, you perhaps want a bird guide book to identify the birds you see.

Or you are interested in a guided tour to get the best of Australian birds? Check the Birding Tour Packages - Order FREE Travel Brochure!

Search for more information on Australian birds and Outback Australia.