Birds Australia facts for kids

Birds Australia was once the common name for a very important group called the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union. This group is all about studying and protecting birds in Australia and nearby areas.

Sometimes, when people say "Birds Australia," they might also be talking about:

• The many different kinds of birds that live in Australia.
• A list that names all the birds found there.

Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union

The Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (RAOU) is one of the oldest and most respected bird study groups in Australia. It was started a long time ago, in 1901. For many years, from 1997 to 2012, this group used "Birds Australia" as its main public name.

What the RAOU Does

The RAOU, or Birds Australia as it was known, worked hard to learn about birds and keep them safe. They did many things, such as:

• Research: They studied where birds live, what they eat, and how they behave. This helps scientists understand what birds need to survive.
• Conservation: They worked to protect bird habitats and stop birds from becoming endangered.
• Education: They taught people about birds and why it's important to look after them. They published books and magazines about birds.
• Citizen Science: They encouraged everyday people to help by reporting bird sightings. This information helps track bird populations.

Joining Forces

In 2012, the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (Birds Australia) joined with another big bird group called Bird Observation and Conservation Australia (BOCA). Together, they formed a new, even bigger organization called BirdLife Australia. This new group continues the important work of studying and protecting Australia's amazing birds.

Birds of Australia

When people talk about "Birds of Australia," they are usually thinking about all the unique and wonderful bird species that live on the Australian continent. Australia is home to many birds found nowhere else in the world. These include colorful parrots, flightless emus, and kookaburras with their laughing calls.

A List of Australian Birds

There is also a special list that names every single bird species recorded in Australia. This list helps scientists and birdwatchers keep track of all the different birds and learn more about them. It includes both birds that live in Australia all the time and those that visit from other parts of the world.

See also

• The Birds of Australia (disambiguation)