List of birds of South Australia facts for kids
South Australia is a cool place in Australia where you can find lots of different birds! There are 487 kinds of birds recorded here. This list helps us keep track of them all.
Scientists often update how they group birds, so this list uses a system from 1996 by Sibley and Monroe, with some newer updates from 2022. It uses British English for bird names and other words.
You'll see some special tags next to certain birds:
- (A) Accidental - This means the bird doesn't usually live in South Australia but might visit by accident, maybe blown off course.
- (E) Endemic - This bird is found only in South Australia and nowhere else in the world!
- (I) Introduced - These birds were brought to South Australia by people, either on purpose or by accident.
Big Birds That Can't Fly
Ostriches
Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae
Ostriches are not originally from Australia, but some have escaped and now live in the wild here.
- Common ostrich, Struthio camelus (I)
Cassowaries and Emus
Order: Casuariiformes Family: Casuariidae
This family includes large birds that can't fly, like the emu. Australia has two living species in this family. Long ago, there were also emus on King Island and Kangaroo Island, but they are now extinct. Scientists think they were the same type of emu as the ones on the mainland.
- Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
This family includes all the ducks, geese, and swans. These birds are built for life in the water. They have webbed feet to help them swim, flat bills for feeding, and special oily feathers that shed water easily.
- Plumed whistling-duck, Dendrocygna eytoni
- Cape Barren goose, Cereopsis novaehollandiae
- Freckled duck, Stictonetta naevosa
- Black swan, Cygnus atratus
- Radjah shelduck, Radjah radjah (A)
- Australian shelduck, Tadorna tadornoides
- Australian wood duck, Chenonetta jubata
- Australian shoveler, Spatula rhynchotis
- Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (A)
- Pacific black duck, Anas superciliosa
- Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos (I)
- Mallard × Pacific black duck, Anas platyrhynchos × supercilisoa (I × native hybrid)
- Grey teal, Anas gracilis
- Chestnut teal, Anas castanea
- Pink-eared duck, Malacorhynchus membranaceus
- Hardhead, Aythya australis
- Blue-billed duck, Oxyura australis
- Musk duck, Biziura lobata
Birds That Build Mounds
Megapodes
Order: Galliformes Family: Megapodiidae
These birds are famous for building huge mounds of dirt and plants to incubate their eggs. It's like a natural incubator!
- Australian brushturkey, Alectura lathami (I)
- Malleefowl, Leipoa ocellata
Pigeons and Doves
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are birds with strong bodies, short necks, and small, thin bills.
- Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)
- Spotted dove, Streptopelia chinensis (I)
- Common bronzewing, Phaps chalcoptera
- Brush bronzewing, Phaps elegans
- Flock bronzewing, Phaps histrionica
- Crested pigeon, Ocyphaps lophotes
- Spinifex pigeon, Geophaps plumifera
- Diamond dove, Geopelia cuneata
- Peaceful dove, Geopelia placida
Cuckoos
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
Cuckoos are known for their unique calls. Some cuckoos are "brood parasites," meaning they lay their eggs in other birds' nests!
- Asian koel, Eudynamys scolopaceus
- Pacific koel, Eudynamys orientalis
- Channel-billed cuckoo, Scythrops novaehollandiae (A)
- Horsfield's bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx basalis
- Black-eared cuckoo, Chrysococcyx osculans
- Shining bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx lucidus
- Pallid cuckoo, Cuculus pallidus
- Fan-tailed cuckoo, Cacomantis flabelliformis
- Brush cuckoo, Cacomantis variolosus (A)
Night Birds
Frogmouths
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Podargidae
Frogmouths are special birds that are active at night. They are related to swifts and are found in Australia and other parts of Asia.
- Tawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides
Owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
Typical owls are birds of prey that hunt at night. They have big eyes that face forward, excellent hearing, and a strong beak. A circle of feathers around their eyes helps them hear better.
- Powerful owl, Ninox strenua
- Barking owl, Ninox connivens
- Southern boobook, Ninox boobook
- Morepork, Ninox novaeseelandiae
Water Birds
Pelicans
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large water birds with a very special pouch under their bill. They use this pouch to scoop up fish. Like other birds in their group, they have four webbed toes.
- Australian pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus
Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
This family includes bitterns, herons, and egrets. They are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Herons and egrets fly with their necks pulled back, which is different from other long-necked birds like storks.
- Australasian bittern, Botaurus poiciloptilus
- Black-backed bittern, Ixobrychus dubius
- Pacific heron, Ardea pacifica
- Great egret, Ardea alba
- Intermediate egret, Ardea intermedia
- White-faced heron, Egretta novaehollandiae
- Little egret, Egretta garzetta
- Pacific reef-heron, Egretta sacra
- Pied heron, Egretta picata
- Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
- Nankeen night-heron, Nycticorax caledonicus
Birds of Prey
Osprey
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae
The osprey is a medium-large bird of prey that specializes in eating fish. You can find them all over the world.
- Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Hawks, Eagles, and Kites
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
This family includes many powerful birds of prey like hawks, eagles, and kites. They are skilled hunters.
- Black-shouldered kite, Elanus axillaris
- Letter-winged kite, Elanus scriptus
- Black-breasted kite, Hamirostra melanosternon
- Square-tailed kite, Lophoictinia isura
- Little eagle, Hieraaetus morphnoides
- Wedge-tailed eagle, Aquila audax
- Swamp harrier, Circus approximans
- Spotted harrier, Circus assimilis
- Grey goshawk, Accipiter novaehollandiae
- Brown goshawk, Accipiter fasciatus
- Collared sparrowhawk, Accipiter cirrocephalus
- Black kite, Milvus migrans
- Whistling kite, Haliastur sphenurus
- Brahminy kite, Haliastur indus
- White-bellied sea-eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster
Falcons and Caracaras
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
Falcons are birds of prey that hunt during the day. They are different from hawks and eagles because they use their beaks to kill their prey, not just their talons.
- Nankeen kestrel, Falco cenchroides
- Australian hobby, Falco longipennis
- Brown falcon, Falco berigora
- Grey falcon, Falco hypoleucos
- Black falcon, Falco subniger
- Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
Parrots and Cockatoos
Cockatoos
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Cacatuidae
Cockatoos are a type of parrot with a special curved beak and feet that have two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward. Many have a cool crest of feathers on their head that they can move!
- Red-tailed black-cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus banksii
- Glossy black-cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus lathami
- Yellow-tailed black-cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus funereus
- Gang-gang cockatoo, Callocephalon fimbriatum (I)
- Pink cockatoo, Lophochroa leadbeateri
- Galah, Eolophus roseicapilla
- Long-billed corella, Cacatua tenuirostris
- Little corella, Cacatua sanguinea
- Sulphur-crested cockatoo, Cacatua galerita
- Cockatiel, Nymphicus hollandicus
Old World Parrots
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittaculidae
Parrots are known for their strong, curved bills, upright posture, and clawed feet. Many are brightly colored. They range in size from very small to quite large. Old World parrots are found in Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Regent parrot, Polytelis anthopeplus
- Princess parrot, Polytelis alexandrae
- Red-winged parrot, Aprosmictus erythropterus (A)
- Ground parrot, Pezoporus wallicus
- Night parrot, Pezoporus occidentalis
- Bourke's parrot, Neophema bourkii
- Blue-winged parrot, Neophema chrysostoma
- Elegant parrot, Neophema elegans
- Rock parrot, Neophema petrophila
- Orange-bellied parrot, Neophema chrysogaster (A)
- Scarlet-chested parrot, Neophema splendida
- Swift parrot, Lathamus discolor (A)
- Australian ringneck, Barnardius barnardi
- Crimson rosella, Platycercus elegans
- Eastern rosella, Platycercus eximius
- Greater bluebonnet, Northiella haematogaster
- Naretha bluebonnet, Northiella narethae
- Red-rumped parrot, Psephotus haematonotus
- Mulga parrot, Psephotus varius
- Budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus
- Musk lorikeet, Glossopsitta concinna
- Little lorikeet, Parvipsitta pusilla
- Purple-crowned lorikeet, Parvipsitta porphyrocephala
- Coconut lorikeet, Trichoglossus haematodus
- Rainbow lorikeet, Trichoglossus moluccanus
Songbirds and Other Passerines
Bowerbirds
Order: Passeriformes Family: Ptilonorhynchidae
Male bowerbirds are amazing builders! They create special structures called "bowers" to attract a mate. These can be simple clearings with twigs or very fancy decorated stick houses.
- Western bowerbird, Chlamydera guttata
- Spotted bowerbird, Chlamydera maculata (A)
Fairywrens
Order: Passeriformes Family: Maluridae
Fairywrens are small, insect-eating birds found only in Australia and New Guinea. Even though a male and female pair up, they often mate with other birds and even help raise chicks from those other pairings!
- Grey grasswren, Amytornis barbatus
- Rufous grasswren, Amytornis whitei
- Striated grasswren, Amytornis striatus
- Short-tailed grasswren, Amytornis merrotsyi
- Western grasswren, Amytornis textilis
- Thick-billed grasswren, Amytornis modestus
- Eyrean grasswren, Amytornis goyderi
- Dusky grasswren, Amytornis purnelli
- Southern emuwren, Stipiturus malachurus
- Rufous-crowned emuwren, Stipiturus ruficeps
- Mallee emuwren, Stipiturus mallee
- Blue-breasted fairywren, Malurus pulcherrimus
- Purple-backed fairywren, Malurus assimilis
- Splendid fairywren, Malurus splendens
- Superb fairywren, Malurus cyaneus
- White-winged fairywren, Malurus leucopterus
Honeyeaters
Order: Passeriformes Family: Meliphagidae
Honeyeaters are a large group of birds, mostly found in Australia and New Guinea. They love to feed on nectar from flowers, just like hummingbirds!
- Eastern spinebill, Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
- Pied honeyeater, Certhionyx variegatus
- White-fronted honeyeater, Purnella albifrons
- Yellow-faced honeyeater, Caligavis chrysops
- Yellow-tufted honeyeater, Lichenostomus melanops
- Purple-gaped honeyeater, Lichenostomus cratitius
- Noisy miner, Manorina melanocephala
- Yellow-throated miner, Manorina flavigula
- Black-eared miner, Manorina melanotis
- Spiny-cheeked honeyeater, Acanthagenys rufogularis
- Little wattlebird, Anthochaera chrysoptera
- Red wattlebird, Anthochaera carunculata
- Singing honeyeater, Gavicalis virescens
- Yellow-plumed honeyeater, Ptilotula ornata
- White-plumed honeyeater, Ptilotula penicillata
- Fuscous honeyeater, Ptilotula fusca
- Grey-headed honeyeater, Ptilotula keartlandi
- Grey-fronted honeyeater, Ptilotula plumula
- Grey honeyeater, Conopophila whitei
- Gibber chat, Ashbyia lovensis
- Yellow chat, Epthianura crocea
- Crimson chat, Epthianura tricolor
- Orange chat, Epthianura aurifrons
- White-fronted chat, Epthianura albifrons
- Black honeyeater, Sugomel niger
- Scarlet myzomela, Myzomela sanguinolenta
- Tawny-crowned honeyeater, Gliciphila melanops
- Brown honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta
- Crescent honeyeater, Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus
- New Holland honeyeater, Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
- White-eared honeyeater, Nesoptilotis leucotis
- Blue-faced honeyeater, Entomyzon cyanotis
- White-naped honeyeater, Melithreptus lunatus
- Brown-headed honeyeater, Melithreptus brevirostris
- Black-chinned honeyeater, Melithreptus gularis
- Striped honeyeater, Plectorhyncha lanceolata
- Painted honeyeater, Grantiella picta
- Little friarbird, Philemon citreogularis
- Noisy friarbird, Philemon corniculatus
Pardalotes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pardalotidae
Pardalotes spend most of their time high up in trees. They eat insects, spiders, and especially "lerps," which are tiny sap-sucking insects.
- Spotted pardalote, Pardalotus punctatus
- Red-browed pardalote, Pardalotus rubricatus
- Striated pardalote, Pardalotus striatus
Thornbills and Allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Acanthizidae
Thornbills are small songbirds that act a bit like tits (another type of small bird).
- White-browed scrubwren, Sericornis frontalis
- Spotted scrubwren, Sericornis maculatus
- Redthroat, Pyrrholaemus brunneus
- Rufous fieldwren, Calamanthus campestris
- Striated fieldwren, Calamanthus fuliginosus
- Chestnut-rumped heathwren, Hylacola pyrrhopygia
- Shy heathwren, Hylacola cauta
- Buff-rumped thornbill, Acanthiza reguloides
- Slender-billed thornbill, Acanthiza iredalei
- Brown thornbill, Acanthiza pusilla
- Inland thornbill, Acanthiza apicalis
- Yellow-rumped thornbill, Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
- Chestnut-rumped thornbill, Acanthiza uropygialis
- Slaty-backed thornbill, Acanthiza robustirostris
- Yellow thornbill, Acanthiza nana
- Striated thornbill, Acanthiza lineata
- Weebill, Smicrornis brevirostris
- White-throated gerygone, Gerygone olivacea
- Western gerygone, Gerygone fusca
- Southern whiteface, Aphelocephala leucopsis
- Chestnut-breasted whiteface, Aphelocephala pectoralis
- Banded whiteface, Aphelocephala nigricincta
Woodswallows, Bellmagpies, and Allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Artamidae
Woodswallows are smooth, graceful flyers. The "cracticids" in this family include currawongs, bellmagpies, and butcherbirds. They have large, straight bills and eat a variety of foods.
- White-breasted woodswallow, Artamus leucorynchus
- Masked woodswallow, Artamus personatus
- White-browed woodswallow, Artamus superciliosus
- Black-faced woodswallow, Artamus cinereus
- Dusky woodswallow, Artamus cyanopterus
- Little woodswallow, Artamus minor
- Grey butcherbird, Cracticus torquatus
- Pied butcherbird, Cracticus nigrogularis
- Australian magpie, Gymnorhina tibicen
- Pied currawong, Strepera graculina
- Grey currawong, Strepera versicolor
Fantails
Order: Passeriformes Family: Rhipiduridae
Fantails are small birds that eat insects. They are very good at catching insects in the air.
- Willie-wagtail, Rhipidura leucophrys
- Rufous fantail, Rhipidura rufifrons
- Grey fantail, Rhipidura albiscapa
Crows, Jays, and Magpies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
This family includes crows, ravens, and some magpies. These birds are often quite smart!
- Torresian crow, Corvus orru
- Little crow, Corvus bennetti
- Australian raven, Corvus coronoides
- Little raven, Corvus mellori (A)
- Forest raven, Corvus tasmanicus
Australasian Robins
Order: Passeriformes Family: Petroicidae
Most Australasian robins have a stocky body, a round head, and a short, straight bill. They live in many different types of wooded areas. They mainly eat insects, but some also eat seeds.
- Jacky-winter, Microeca fascinans
- Scarlet robin, Petroica multicolor
- Flame robin, Petroica phoenicea (A)
- Rose robin, Petroica rosea
- Pink robin, Petroica rodinogaster (A)
- Red-capped robin, Petroica goodenovii
- Hooded robin, Melanodryas cucullata
- Eastern yellow robin, Eopsaltria australis
- Western yellow robin, Eopsaltria griseogularis
- Southern scrub-robin, Drymodes brunneopygia
Swallows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
Swallows are birds that are great at catching food while flying. They have sleek bodies, long pointed wings, and short bills with wide mouths. Their feet are better for perching than walking.
- Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica (A)
- Welcome swallow, Hirundo neoxena
- Fairy martin, Petrochelidon ariel
- Tree martin, Petrochelidon nigricans
- White-backed swallow, Cheramoeca leucosterna
Starlings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized birds that fly strongly and directly. They often gather in large groups. They prefer open areas and eat insects and fruit. Their feathers are usually dark with a shiny, metallic look.
- European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)
- Common myna, Acridotheres tristis (A)
Finches and Allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
Finches are small to medium-sized birds that eat seeds. They have strong, cone-shaped beaks. Finches often have a bouncy flight pattern and many sing beautiful songs.
- European greenfinch, Chloris chloris (I)
- European goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis (I)
See also
- List of birds
- Lists of birds by region
- List of birds of Australia