List of birds of Western Australia facts for kids

Western Australia is a huge place, and it's home to an amazing variety of wild birds! This list will help you discover many of them. We'll explore different types of birds, from the biggest flightless ones to tiny, colorful parrots. You'll learn about native birds that live here all the time, and also some special visitors or birds that were brought here by people.

There are over 600 different bird species found in Western Australia! That's a lot of birds to spot. The way these birds are grouped and named follows a system called The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World.

Here are some special tags you'll see next to some bird names. Most native birds that are commonly seen don't have a tag.

• (A) Accidental – This bird doesn't usually live in Western Australia. It's a rare visitor, maybe blown off course by a storm!
• (E) Endemic – This bird is super special! It's found only in Western Australia and nowhere else in the world.
• (I) Introduced – These birds were brought to Western Australia by people, either on purpose or by accident. They weren't originally from here.
• (Ex) Extirpated – This bird used to live in Western Australia, but it doesn't anymore. However, you can still find it in other parts of the world.
• (X) Extinct – Sadly, this bird no longer exists anywhere in the world.

Meet the Big Birds: Ostriches, Emus, and Geese!

Ostriches: Not from WA, but Here Now!

Ostriches are not originally from Western Australia. But some have escaped from farms and now live in the wild! They are the biggest birds in the world, known for their long legs and fast running.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Common ostrich	Struthio camelus	(I)

Emus: Australia's Famous Flightless Bird

The emu is Australia's second-largest bird and cannot fly. It's a close relative of the cassowary, which lives in New Guinea. Emus are found all over Australia, including Western Australia.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Emu	Dromaius novaehollandiae

Magpie Goose: A Unique Water Bird

The magpie goose is a very old and special type of water bird. It's found across Australia and is known for its black and white feathers.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Magpie goose	Anseranas semipalmata

Ducks, Geese, and Swans: Water Lovers

This family includes all the ducks, geese, and swans you might see. They are perfectly built for life in the water! They have webbed feet for swimming and special feathers that shed water easily.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Plumed whistling-duck	Dendrocygna eytoni
Wandering whistling-duck	Dendrocygna arcuata
Cape Barren goose	Cereopsis novaehollandiae
Freckled duck	Stictonetta naevosa
Mute swan	Cygnus olor	(I)
Black swan	Cygnus atratus
Radjah shelduck	Radjah radjah
Australian shelduck	Tadorna tadornoides
Green pygmy-goose	Nettapus pulchellus
Australian wood duck	Chenonetta jubata
Garganey	Spatula querquedula	(A)
Australasian shoveler	Spatula rhynchotis
Northern shoveler	Spatula clypeata	(A)
Eurasian wigeon	Mareca penelope	(A)
Pacific black duck	Anas superciliosa
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	(I)
Northern pintail	Anas acuta	(A)
Gray teal	Anas gracilis
Chestnut teal	Anas castanea
Pink-eared duck	Malacorhynchus membranaceus
Hardhead	Aythya australis
Blue-billed duck	Oxyura australis
Musk duck	Biziura lobata

Ground Birds and Their Habits

Megapodes: The Mound Builders

Megapodes are special birds that build huge mounds of dirt and plants to keep their eggs warm. They don't sit on their eggs like other birds! You can find different kinds of megapodes in Australia and nearby islands.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Malleefowl	Leipoa ocellata
Orange-footed scrubfowl	Megapodius reinwardt

Guineafowl: Another Introduced Species

Guineafowl are not native to Australia. But like ostriches, some have formed wild groups in Western Australia.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Helmeted guineafowl	Numida meleagris	(I)

Pheasants, Grouse, and Quails

This group includes pheasants and quails. They are usually plump, ground-dwelling birds with short wings. Many of them are hunted for food or kept as farm birds.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Indian peafowl	Pavo cristatus	(I)
Brown quail	Coturnix ypsilophora
Blue-breasted quail	Excalfactoria chinensis
Stubble quail	Coturnix pectoralis
Ring-necked pheasant	Phasianus colchicus	(I)

Water Birds: Grebes, Pelicans, and More

Grebes: Amazing Divers

Grebes are small to medium-sized birds that love freshwater. They are incredible swimmers and divers, using their special lobed toes. But because their feet are so far back on their bodies, they look a bit clumsy on land!

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Little grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	(A)
Australasian grebe	Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
Hoary-headed grebe	Poliocephalus poliocephalus
Great crested grebe	Podiceps cristatus

Pelicans: Big Bills, Big Pouches

Pelicans are very large water birds. They are easy to spot because of the huge pouch under their bill, which they use to scoop up fish. Like other birds in their group, they have four webbed toes for swimming.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Australian pelican	Pelecanus conspicillatus

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns: Wading Birds

These birds are often found near water, wading in shallow areas to catch fish, frogs, and insects. They have long legs and necks, perfect for hunting in wetlands.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Australasian bittern	Botaurus poiciloptilus
Yellow bittern	Ixobrychus sinensis	(A)
Black-backed bittern	Ixobrychus dubius
Cinnamon bittern	Ixobrychus cinnamomeus	(A)
Black bittern	Ixobrychus flavicollis
Gray heron	Ardea cinerea	(A)
Pacific heron	Ardea pacifica
Great-billed heron	Ardea sumatrana
Purple heron	Ardea purpurea	(A)
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
Chinese pond-heron	Ardeola bacchus	(A)
Striated heron	Butorides striatus
Black-crowned night-heron	Nycticorax nycticorax
Nankeen night-heron	Nycticorax caledonicus

Ibises and Spoonbills: Unique Bills

These birds are also found near water. Ibises have long, downward-curving bills, while spoonbills have flat, spoon-shaped bills. Both are great for finding food in mud or shallow water.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Glossy ibis	Plegadis falcinellus
Australian ibis	Threskiornis moluccus
Straw-necked ibis	Threskiornis spinicollis
Royal spoonbill	Platalea regia
Yellow-billed spoonbill	Platalea flavipes

Birds of Prey: Hunters of the Sky

Osprey: The Fish Hunter

The osprey is a powerful bird of prey that specializes in catching fish. You'll often see it soaring over water, then diving feet-first to grab its meal.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites: Masters of Flight

This group includes many impressive birds of prey, like the mighty wedge-tailed eagle. They have sharp talons and keen eyesight, making them excellent hunters. They soar high in the sky, looking for food.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Black-shouldered kite	Elanus axillaris
Letter-winged kite	Elanus scriptus
Oriental honey-buzzard	Pernis ptilorhynchus	(A)
Black-breasted kite	Hamirostra melanosternon
Square-tailed kite	Lophoictinia isura
Pacific baza	Aviceda subcristata
Little eagle	Hieraaetus morphnoides
Wedge-tailed eagle	Aquila audax
Swamp harrier	Circus approximans
Spotted harrier	Circus assimilis
Chinese sparrowhawk	Accipiter soloensis
Gray goshawk	Accipiter novaehollandiae
Brown goshawk	Accipiter fasciatus
Japanese sparrowhawk	Accipiter gularis
Collared sparrowhawk	Accipiter cirrocephalus
Red goshawk	Erythrotriorchis radiatus
Black kite	Milvus migrans
Whistling kite	Haliastur sphenurus
Brahminy kite	Haliastur indus
White-bellied sea eagle	Haliaeetus leucogaster

Falcons: Fast and Fierce Hunters

Falcons are known for their incredible speed and hunting skills. They have pointed wings and can dive at high speeds to catch other birds in mid-air.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Nankeen kestrel	Falco cenchroides
Eurasian hobby	Falco subbuteo	(A)
Australian hobby	Falco longipennis
Brown falcon	Falco berigora
Gray falcon	Falco hypoleucos
Black falcon	Falco subniger
Peregrine falcon	Falco peregrinus

Night Birds: Owls and Frogmouths

Barn Owls: Silent Night Hunters

Barn owls are nocturnal birds, meaning they hunt at night. They have excellent hearing and silent flight, making them very effective predators in the dark.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Australian masked-owl	Tyto novaehollandiae
Australian grass-owl	Tyto longimembris
Barn owl	Tyto alba

Owls: Wise Birds of the Night

Owls are another group of nocturnal birds of prey. They have large eyes that help them see in low light and can turn their heads almost all the way around!

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Oriental scops-owl	Otis sunia	(A)
Rufous owl	Ninox rufa
Barking owl	Ninox connivens
Southern boobook	Ninox boobook
Brown boobook	Ninox scutulata	(A)
Northern boobook	Ninox japonica	(A)

Frogmouths: Masters of Disguise

Frogmouths are nocturnal birds that look a lot like owls, but they are actually related to swifts. They are famous for their amazing camouflage, blending in perfectly with tree bark during the day.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Tawny frogmouth	Podargus strigoides

Owlet-Nightjars: Small Night Fliers

Owlet-nightjars are small, nocturnal birds found in Australia and nearby islands. They are also related to swifts and are active at night.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Australian owlet-nightjar	Aegotheles cristatus

Colorful and Chatty Birds: Parrots and More

Cockatoos: Smart and Noisy Parrots

Cockatoos are a type of parrot known for their crests (feathers on their heads) and their loud calls. They are very intelligent birds and can be quite playful.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Red-tailed black-cockatoo	Calyptorhynchus banksii
Carnaby's black-cockatoo	Calyptorhynchus latirostris	(E)
Baudin's black-cockatoo	Calyptorhynchus baudinii	(E)
Pink cockatoo	Lophochroa leadbeateri
Galah	Eolophus roseicapilla
Long-billed corella	Cacatua tenuirostris	(I)
Western corella	Cacatua pastinator	(E)
Little corella	Cacatua sanguinea
Sulphur-crested cockatoo	Cacatua galerita
Cockatiel	Nymphicus hollandicus

Old World Parrots: Bright and Beautiful

This family includes many of Australia's colorful parrots, like rosellas and lorikeets. They are often found in forests and woodlands, feeding on seeds, fruits, and nectar.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Regent parrot	Polytelis anthopeplus
Princess parrot	Polytelis alexandrae
Red-winged parrot	Aprosmictus erythropterus
Ground parrot	Pezoporus wallicus
Night parrot	Pezoporus occidentalis
Bourke's parrot	Neopsephotus bourkii
Elegant parrot	Neophema elegans
Rock parrot	Neophema petrophila
Scarlet-chested parrot	Neophema splendida
Australian ringneck	Barnardius zonarius
Northern rosella	Platycercus venustus
Western rosella	Platycercus icterotis	(E)
Naretha bluebonnet	Northiella narethae
Mulga parrot	Psephotus varius
Red-capped parrot	Purpureicephalus spurius	(E)
Budgerigar	Melopsittacus undulatus
Purple-crowned lorikeet	Parvipsitta porphyrocephala
Varied lorikeet	Psitteuteles versicolor
Red-collared lorikeet	Trichoglossus rubritorquis
Rainbow lorikeet	Trichoglossus haematodus	(I)

Small and Songful Birds

Fairywrens: Tiny and Vibrant

Fairywrens are small, active birds, often with bright blue or red feathers. They live in family groups and are a joy to watch as they hop through bushes.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Rufous grasswren	Amytornis whitei
Striated grasswren	Amytornis striatus
Short-tailed grasswren	Amytornis merrotsyi
Western grasswren	Amytornis textilis
Black grasswren	Amytornis housei	(E)
Dusky grasswren	Amytornis purnelli
Southern emuwren	Stipiturus malachurus
Rufous-crowned emuwren	Stipiturus ruficeps
Purple-crowned fairywren	Malurus coronatus
Red-winged fairywren	Malurus elegans	(E)
Blue-breasted fairywren	Malurus pulcherrimus
Purple-backed fairywren	Malurus assimilis
Splendid fairywren	Malurus splendens
White-winged fairywren	Malurus leucopterus
Red-backed fairywren	Malurus melanocephalus

Honeyeaters: Nectar Lovers

Honeyeaters are a large group of birds that mostly feed on nectar from flowers, using their brush-tipped tongues. They also eat insects and fruit. They are very important for pollinating plants!

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Western spinebill	Acanthorhynchus superciliosus	(E)
Pied honeyeater	Certhionyx variegatus
Kimberley honeyeater	Territornis fordiana	(E)
White-gaped honeyeater	Stomiopera unicolor
White-fronted honeyeater	Purnella albifrons
Purple-gaped honeyeater	Lichenostomus cratitius
Yellow-throated miner	Manorina flavigula
Spiny-cheeked honeyeater	Acanthagenys rufogularis
Western wattlebird	Anthochaera lunulata	(E)
Red wattlebird	Anthochaera carunculata
Singing honeyeater	Gavicalis virescens
Yellow-plumed honeyeater	Ptilotula ornata
White-plumed honeyeater	Ptilotula penicillata
Yellow-tinted honeyeater	Ptilotula flavescens
Gray-headed honeyeater	Ptilotula keartlandi
Gray-fronted honeyeater	Ptilotula plumula
Bar-breasted honeyeater	Ramsayornis fasciatus
Rufous-throated honeyeater	Conopophila rufogularis
Gray honeyeater	Conopophila whitei
Gibber chat	Ashbyia lovensis	(A)
Yellow chat	Epthianura crocea
Crimson chat	Epthianura tricolor
Orange chat	Epthianura aurifrons
White-fronted chat	Epthianura albifrons
Black honeyeater	Sugomel nigrum
Dusky myzomela	Myzomela obscura	(A)
Red-headed myzomela	Myzomela erythrocephala
Tawny-crowned honeyeater	Gliciphila melanops
Banded honeyeater	Cissomela pectoralis
Brown honeyeater	Lichmera indistincta
New Holland honeyeater	Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
White-cheeked honeyeater	Phylidonyris nigra
White-eared honeyeater	Nesoptilotis leucotis
Blue-faced honeyeater	Entomyzon cyanotis
White-throated honeyeater	Melithreptus albogularis
Gilbert's honeyeater	Melithreptus chloropsis	(E)
Brown-headed honeyeater	Melithreptus brevirostris
Black-chinned honeyeater	Melithreptus gularis
Painted honeyeater	Grantiella picta	(A)
Little friarbird	Philemon citreogularis
Silver-crowned friarbird	Philemon argenticeps

Pardalotes: Small and Spotted

Pardalotes are tiny, colorful birds that often have spotted patterns on their feathers. They are very active and can be hard to spot as they move quickly through trees.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Spotted pardalote	Pardalotus punctatus
Red-browed pardalote	Pardalotus rubricatus
Striated pardalote	Pardalotus striatus

Thornbills and Allies: Tiny Bush Birds

This group includes many small, active birds that live in the Australian bush. They are often hard to see, but you might hear their calls as they search for insects among the leaves.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
White-browed scrubwren	Sericornis frontalis
Spotted scrubwren	Sericornis maculatus
Redthroat	Pyrrholaemus brunneus
Western fieldwren	Calamanthus montanellus	(E)
Rufous fieldwren	Calamanthus campestris
Shy heathwren	Hylacola cauta
Western thornbill	Acanthiza inornata	(E)
Slender-billed thornbill	Acanthiza iredalei
Inland thornbill	Acanthiza apicalis
Yellow-rumped thornbill	Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
Chestnut-rumped thornbill	Acanthiza uropygialis
Slaty-backed thornbill	Acanthiza robustirostris
Weebill	Smicrornis brevirostris
Green-backed gerygone	Gerygone chloronota
White-throated gerygone	Gerygone albogularis
Large-billed gerygone	Gerygone magnirostris
Dusky gerygone	Gerygone tenebrosa	(E)
Western gerygone	Gerygone fusca
Mangrove gerygone	Gerygone levigaster
Southern whiteface	Aphelocephala leucopsis
Banded whiteface	Aphelocephala nigricincta

White-eyes: The Spectacled Birds

White-eyes are small, active birds named for the ring of white feathers around their eyes. They are often found in gardens and forests, feeding on insects and fruit.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Ashy-bellied white-eye	Zosterops citrinella
Australian yellow white-eye	Zosterops luteus
Silver-eye	Zosterops lateralis

Waxbills and Allies: Beautiful Finches

This group includes many small, colorful finches. They are often found in grasslands and open woodlands, feeding on seeds. Some, like the Gouldian finch, are incredibly vibrant!

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Painted firetail	Emblema pictum
Red-eared firetail	Stagonopleura oculata	(E)
Red-browed firetail	Neochmia temporalis	(I)
Crimson finch	Neochmia phaeton
Star finch	Bathilda ruficauda
Zebra finch	Taeniopygia guttata
Double-barred finch	Stizoptera bichenovii
Masked finch	Poephila personata
Long-tailed finch	Poephila acuticauda
Gouldian finch	Chloebia gouldiae
Scaly-breasted munia	Lonchura punctulata	(A)
Pale-headed munia	Lonchura pallida
Yellow-rumped munia	Lonchura flaviprymna
Chestnut-breasted munia	Lonchura castaneothorax
Java sparrow	Padda oryzivora	(A)
Pictorella munia	Heteromunia pectoralis

Other Interesting Birds

Pigeons and Doves: Common City Dwellers and Bush Birds

Pigeons and doves are stout birds with short necks and small bills. You might see them in cities, but many types also live in the bush and forests.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Rock pigeon	Columba livia	(I)
Spotted dove	Spilopelia chinensis	(I)
Laughing dove	Spilopelia senegalensis	(I)
Pacific emerald dove	Chalcophaps longirostris
Common bronzewing	Phaps chalcoptera
Brush bronzewing	Phaps elegans
Flock bronzewing	Phaps histrionica
Crested pigeon	Ocyphaps lophotes
Spinifex pigeon	Geophaps plumifera
Partridge pigeon	Geophaps smithii
White-quilled rock-pigeon	Petrophassa albipennis
Diamond dove	Geopelia cuneata
Peaceful dove	Geopelia placida
Bar-shouldered dove	Geopelia humeralis
Nicobar pigeon	Caloenas nicobarica	(A)
Rose-crowned fruit-dove	Ptilinopus regina
Torresian imperial-pigeon	Ducula spilorrhoa

Cuckoos: The Brood Parasites

Cuckoos are known for their unique habit of laying their eggs in other birds' nests, letting the other birds raise their young!

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Lesser coucal	Centropus bengalensis
Pheasant coucal	Centropus phasianinus
Asian koel	Eudynamys scolopaceus	(A)
Pacific koel	Eudynamys orientalis
Channel-billed cuckoo	Scythrops novaehollandiae
Horsfield's bronze-cuckoo	Chalcites basalis
Black-eared cuckoo	Chalcites osculans
Shining bronze-cuckoo	Chalcites lucidus
Little bronze-cuckoo	Chalcites minutillus
Pallid cuckoo	Cacomantis pallidus
Fan-tailed cuckoo	Cacomantis flabelliformis
Brush cuckoo	Cacomantis variolosus
Oriental cuckoo	Cuculus optatus

Kingfishers: Brightly Colored Fishers

Kingfishers are famous for their bright colors and their skill at catching fish. The laughing kookaburra, a type of kingfisher, is well-known for its loud, laughing call.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Azure kingfisher	Ceyx azureus
Little kingfisher	Ceyx pusillus	(A)
Laughing kookaburra	Dacelo novaeguineae	(I)
Blue-winged kookaburra	Dacelo leachii
Black-capped kingfisher	Halcyon pileata	(A)
Red-backed kingfisher	Todiramphus pyrrhopygia
Forest kingfisher	Todiramphus macleayii	(A)
Torresian kingfisher	Todiramphus sordidus
Sacred kingfisher	Todiramphus sanctus
Collared kingfisher	Todiramphus chloris	(A)

Bee-eaters: Insect Hunters

Bee-eaters are colorful birds that, as their name suggests, love to eat bees and other flying insects. They catch their prey in mid-air.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Rainbow bee-eater	Merops ornatus

Drongos: Mimics and Hunters

Drongos are clever birds known for their ability to mimic the calls of other birds. They are also skilled hunters, catching insects in flight.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Spangled drongo	Dicrurus bracteatus

Monarch Flycatchers: Catching Insects on the Wing

These birds are agile fliers that catch insects in the air. They are often found in woodlands and forests.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Island monarch	Monarcha cinerascens	(A)
Black-faced monarch	Monarcha melanopsis	(A)
Magpie-lark	Grallina cyanoleuca
Leaden flycatcher	Myiagra rubecula
Broad-billed flycatcher	Myiagra ruficollis
Satin flycatcher	Myiagra cyanoleuca	(A)
Restless flycatcher	Myiagra inquieta
Paperbark flycatcher	Myiagra nana
Shining flycatcher	Myiagra alecto

Australasian Robins: Colorful Forest Friends

Australasian robins are small, often brightly colored birds found in forests and woodlands. They are known for their cheerful calls and their habit of perching upright.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Jacky-winter	Microeca fascinans
Lemon-bellied flycatcher	Microeca flavigaster
Scarlet robin	Petroica boodang
Red-capped robin	Petroica goodenovii
Hooded robin	Melanodryas cucullata
Western yellow robin	Eopsaltria griseogularis
White-breasted robin	Eopsaltria georgiana	(E)
Mangrove robin	Peneonanthe pulverulenta
Buff-sided robin	Poecilodryas cerviniventris
Southern scrub-robin	Drymodes brunneopygia

Swallows: Graceful Fliers

Swallows are small, agile birds known for their graceful flight. They catch insects in the air and often build their nests out of mud.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Barn swallow	Hirundo rustica
Welcome swallow	Hirundo neoxena
Red-rumped swallow	Cecropis daurica
Fairy martin	Petrochelidon ariel
Tree martin	Petrochelidon nigricans
White-backed swallow	Cheramoeca leucosternus

Wagtails and Pipits: Ground Feeders

Wagtails and pipits are slender birds that often walk on the ground, wagging their tails as they search for insects.

Common name	Binomial	Notes
Gray wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	(A)
Western yellow wagtail	Motacilla flava
Eastern yellow wagtail	Motacilla tschutschensis	(A)
White wagtail	Motacilla alba	(A)
Australian pipit	Anthus australis
Pechora pipit	Anthus gustavi	(A)
Red-throated pipit	Anthus cervinus	(A)

Images for kids

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  Channel-billed cuckoo

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  Australasian swamphen

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  Australian crake

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  Red-necked avocet

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  Masked lapwing

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  Double-banded plover non-breeding plumage

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  Australian painted-snipe

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  Sanderling

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  Red knot

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  Sharp-tailed sandpiper

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  Little tern with Great crested terns

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  Pacific gull

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  Red-tailed tropicbird

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  A wild little penguin returning to its burrow to feed its chicks

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  White-capped albatross

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  Short-tailed shearwater

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  Black necked stork (jabiru) and juvenile pied heron in flight

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  Great frigatebird

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  Varied sittella

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  Golden-headed cisticola

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  Australian reed warbler

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  Little grassbird