Australian Bird Database - Index List

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Australian Bird Database - Index List

This New Index list is based on the Simpson and Day Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (2010). The list is according to families then alphabetical common name with link. Scientific names in brackets beside it. This list also includes very brief information on each family including the approximate number of species in Australia compared to the world. When all the birds are entered within a family group, you will see (complete) at the end of description.
Note; Members posts may have older Family names. Species counts are from the 7th edition (2004). 8th edition (2010) has further divided some of the families - counts appear at the end of these divisions.

Ostriches Family Struthionidae
Largest living bird. The only bird having less than 3 toes having only 2. World Species 1; Australia 1

Cassowaries, EmuFamily Casuariidae
Cassowary is stocky, flightless bird with helmeted head,bright face with hair like plumage and neck wattles World species 3; Australia 1. (complete)
Emu, Flightless birdshaggy grey-brown plumage fast running and Australia’s largest endemic bird. Itis Australia’s National emblem World species 1; Australia 1.(complete)
Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius)
Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

Mound –buildersFamily Megapodiidae
Birds that incubate eggs in sand, soil or leaf matter andare ground birds. World Species 12; Australia 3.
Australian Brush Turkey (Alectura lathami)

Qails, PhesantsFamily Phasianidae
Small plump, short tailed and striped, to large, longtailed, bright ground birds. World species 211, Australia 7.
Brown Quail (Coturnix ypsilophora)

California Quail Family Odontophoridae
Introduced patterned , striped Quail. World species 1;Australia 1

Helmeted Guinea FowlFamily Numididae
Introduced, Farmed and feral. World species 7; Australia 1 (complete)
Helmeted Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

Button QuailFamily Turnicidae
Like Quails from Phasianidae (true Quail) Differing by noback toe. World species 14; Australia 7

Penguins Family Spheniscidae
Plump, small to large sea birds having an upright stance,wings used as flippers. World species 18; Australia 11.
Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor)

Albatrosses Family Diomedeidae
Medium to Large oceanic sea birds with long wings forgliding. World species 13; Australia 11.
Black browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys)
Buller's Albatross (Thalassarche bulleri)
Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea sanfordi)
Salvin's Albatross (Thalassarche salvini)
Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta)
Sooty Albatross (Phoebetria fusca)
Southern Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora)
Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans)
Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche carteri)​

 

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Petrels, Shearwaters,Diving Petrels Family Procellariidae
Petrels,shearwaters are small to very large long wingedgliding oceanic seabirds. Diving petrels are small, short winged busy in flight, swim and divewell. World species 70;Australia 46.
Cape Petrel (Daption capense)
Fairy Prion (Pachyptila turtur)
Fluttering Shearwater (Puffinus gavia)
Great-winged Petrel (Pterodroma- acroptera)
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli)
Providence Petrel (Pterodroma solandri)
Short-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus tenuirostris)
Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus)
White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis)
White-necked Petrel (Pterodroma cervicalis)


Storm Petrels Family Hydrobatidae & Oceanitidae
Tiny blackish or grey, long legged that radidly swoop inflight. World species 20; Australia 9.
Grey-backed Storm Petrel (Garrodia nereis)
White-faced Storm Petrel (Pelagodroma marina)
Wilson's Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus)

Pelicans Family Pelecanidae
Spectacular long bill with loose gular pouch. All 4 toeswebbed . World species 8; Australia 1. (complete)
Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

Gannets, Boobies Family Sulidae
Stout bills, feet fully webbed spectacular plunge divers.Gannets colder seas, Boobies more tropical seas. World species 9; Australia 5

Frigatebirds Family Fregatidae
Large seabirds with long, hooked bills and forked tails withpointed wings . World species 5; Australia 3.

Tropicbirds Family Phaethontidae
Stout bird with red bill white plumage and two long tailstreamers. World species 3; Australia 2.

Darters Family Anhingidae
Snake like necks with slender bills, all toes webbed. World species 4 ; Australia 1 (complete)
Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)

Cormorants Family Phalacrocoracidae
Perch with wings outstretched and simular to darters. World species 38; Australia 5 (complete)
Black-faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscescens)
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)
Little Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos)
Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius)

Grebes Family Podicipedidae
Sharpe bill, chunky, legs far back on body rarely walk on land. World species 20; Australia 4
Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)
Great-crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

Magpie Geese Family Anseranatidae
Large, Knob headed black and white with partly webbed feet.World species 1; Australia 1 (complete)
Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata)

Geese, Swans Ducks Family Anatidae
Wetland birds with dense waterproof plumage and webbed feet. World species 145;Australia 24
Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides)
Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata)
Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)
Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis)
Burdekin Duck- Tadorna radjah rufitergum)
Cape Barren Goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae)
Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea)
Grey Teal (Anas gracilis)
Hardhead -(Aythya australis)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
Plumed Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna eytoni)
Wandering Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna arcuata)

 

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Rails, Crakes,Swamphens, Coot Family Rallidae
Small to large skulking water birds. All are short tailed and long toed with very loud calls. World Species 123; Australia 16
Buff Banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis)
Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula renebrosa)
Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)
Tasmanian Native-hen (Gallinula mortierii)

Herons, Egrets,Bitterns Family Ardeidae
Tall, slender, long legged and long necked water birds.World species 61; Australia 14
Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis)
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Intermediate Egret (Egretta intermedia)
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
Nankeen Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus)
White Faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae)
White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica)

Ibises, Spoonbills Family Threskiornithidae
Long curved bills distinguishes them from the likes ofherons, feeding by touch. World species 32; Australia 5. (complete)
Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca)
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia)
Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
Yellow-billed Spoonbill (Platalea flavipes)

Storks Family Ciconiidae
The only Australian species is Tall large with long stoutbill has pied plumage. World species 17; Australia 1

Cranes Family Gruidae
Both Australian species are Grey with red on their heads.Tall , elegant long legged with long sharp bill. World species 16; Australia 2

Bustards Family Otididae
Large, stately grassland dwelling birdswith long legs. Worldspecies 24; Australia 1. (complete)
Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Plains wonderer Family Pedionomidae
Similar to button quail except has back toe. An endangeredgrassland species. World species 1; Australia 1

Curlews, Sandpipers,Snipes, Godwits, Phalaropes Family Scolopacidae.
Usually long billed, long legged migratory waders. Worldspecies 88; Australia 48
Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
Easten Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis)
Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii)
Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis)
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata)

Pratincoles Family Glareolidae
Long wings, brownish wader of inland and barren areas. WorldSpecies 16; Australia 2

 

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Painted Snipe Family Rostratulidae
Strikingly patterned wader with long bill. World species 2;Australia 1

Jacanas Family Jacanidae
Wader with extremely long toes and hind claw. Adults carryjuveniles under wing. World species 8; Australia 2
Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea)

Stone Curlews Family Burhinidae
Bush and beach dwelling wader tall, large eyed with largebills. World species 9; Australia 2
Bush Stone Curlew (Burhinus grallarius)

Oystercatchers Family Haematopodidae
Coastal waders with black or pied plumage re bill and legs.World species 7; Australia 3.
Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris)

Lapwings, Plovers,Dotterels Family Charadriidae
Very vocal waders short billed and round headed. Worldspecies 64: Australia 19
Banded Lapwing (Vanellus tricolor)
Black-fronted Dotteral (Elseyornis- elanops)
Double-banded Plover (Charadrius bicinctus)
Hooded Plover (Thinornis rubricollis)
Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus)

Stilts, Avocets Family Recurvirostridae
Medium sized waders long legs stilts straight bills , Avocetupturned bill. World species 13; Australia 3
Black Winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

Skuas, Jaegers, Family Stercorariidae
Skuas, Jaeger are piratical

Gulls, Terns Family Laridae
Gulls scavengers and terns livefood hunter. World species 94; Australia 35 includes Family Stercorariidae
Crested Tern (Sterna bergii)
Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)
Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)
Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus)
Silver Gull (Larus novaehollandiae)

Osprey, Kites, Eagles,Goshawks, Harriers Family Accipitridae
Females normally larger than males, most hunt live food some do scavenge. Osprey sometimes gets listed as Pandioidae family. Birds of prey.World species 220; Australia 18.
Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)
Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)
Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus)
Pacific Baza (Aviceda subscristata)
Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis)
Square tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura)
Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans)
Wedge Tailed Eagle (Aquila audax)
Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus)
White Breasted Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

Falcons Family Falconidae
Swift flying predatory birds with toothed upper bill. World species 61; Australia 6
Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis)
Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)
Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides)

 

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Pigeons, Doves Family Columbidae
Plump fast flying fruit or seed eaters. World species 297; Australia 27
Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis)
Brown Cuckoo Dove (Macropygia amboinensis)
Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera)
Common Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica)
Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes)
Peaceful Dove (Geopelia striata)
Rock Dove (Columba livia)
Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)
Torresian Imperial Pigeon (Ducula spilorrhoa)
White Headed Pigeon (Columba leucomela)
Wonga Pigeon (Leucosarcia melanoleuca)


Cockatoos Family Cacatuidae
A medium to large parrot, raucous voices DNA work in WA IDcockatiel is a true cockatoo. World species 18; Australia 14.
Galah (Cacatua roseicapilla)
Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii)
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)

Parrots Familly Psittacidae.
All parrots are regarded as one family with well-defined subfamilies or tribe , all having stout hooked bills, two toes forward and two toes backwards.World species 326; Australia 41
Australian King parrot (Alisterus scapularis)
Australian Ringneck Parrot (Barnardus zonarius)
Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans)
Eastern Pale-headed Rosella (Platycercus adscitus palliceps)
Green Rosella (Platycercus caledonicus)
Purple-crowned Lorikeet (Glossopsitta porphyrocephala)
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)
Red Rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonous)
Red-winged Parrot (Aprosmictus erythropterus)
Scaly-breasted Lorieet (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus)

Parasitic Cuckoos Family Cuculidae
Ventriloquial calls and nest parasites of other birds. World species 100; Australia 12
Channel-billed Cuckoo (Scythrops novaehollandiae)
Common Koel (Eudynamys orientalis)
Pallid Cuckoo (Cuculus pallidus)

Coucals Family Centropidae
Large dark, long tailed bird with loud cacking, hooting calls and builds it own nest. World species 27; Australia 1. (complete)
Pheasant Coucal (Centropus phasianinus)

 

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Hawk Owls Family Strigidae
Small to large dark coloured nocturnal predatory birds withpale eyes, silent flight. World species 135; Australia 5
Barking Owl (Ninox connivens)
Southern Boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

Barn Owls Family Tytonidae
Large nocturnal birds with dark eyes with dark or lightplumage silent flight but screeching calls. World species 12; Australia 5
Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

Frogmouths Family Podargidae
Plump nocturnal birds with long tails silent flight andbroad bill. World species 13; Australia 3
Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)

Owlet- nightjars Family Aegothelidae
A very small, delicate, nocturnal bird with almost noreflective eye shine. World species 8; Australia 1.

Nightjars Families Caprimulgidae & Eurostopodidae
Small to medium nocturnal bird that roosts on the ground during the day. Species 75; Australia 3

Swiftlets, Swifts Family Apodidae
Fast flying , aerial insect feeders with long swept wingsand small bill with wide gape. World species 84; Australia 6

River Kingfishers Family Alcedinidae
Large heads, small, brightly coloured and short tails. Worldspecies 24; Australia 2
Azure Kingfisher (Alcedo azure)

Tree Kingfishers Family Halcyonidae
Large heads , long heavy bill and stout bodies usuallybright coloured. World species 70; Australia 8
Blue Winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii)
Colared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)
Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii)
Laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)
Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus)

Bee-eaters Family Meropidae
Brightly coloured , vocal, long downward bill and nest insandy slopes. World species 24; Australia 1. (complete)
Rainbow Bee eater (Merops ornatus)

Rollers Family Coraciidae
Migratory bird’s red billed and perch on dead branches.World species 11; Australia 1. (complete)
Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)

 

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Pittas Family Pittidae
Plump medium sized , colourful tropical bird with short tailand long legs. World species 26; Australia 4

Lyrebirds Family Menuridae
World’s largest songbirds brown to grey birds of wetforests. World species 2; Australia 2
Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)

Scrub birds Family Atrichornithidae
Are retiring remaining near ground, sexes differ. Worldspecies 2; Australia 2

Sittellas Family Neosittidae
Usually in family parties or small flocks. World species 1:Australia 1

Treecreepers Family Climacteridae
Climb upwards on tree trunks they are small brownish withpale wing bars. World species 6; Australia 6
White-throated Treecreeper (Cormobates leucophaeus)

Fairy wrens and Allies Family Maluridae
Cocked tailed insectivores seen in family groups. Breedingmales brightly coloured. World species 23; Australia 21.
Red Backed Fairy Wren (Malurus melanocephalus)
Superb Fairy Wren (Malurus cyaneus)
Variegated Fairy Wren (Malurus lamberti)

Bristlebirds Family Dasyornithidae
Rockwarbler (Origma solitaria)

Scrubwrens, Gerygones and Thornbills Family Acanthizidae
Tasmanian Scrubwren (Sericornis humilis)
White Browed Scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis)
White Throated Gerygone (Gerygone olivacaea)
Yellow Rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa)

Pardalotes Family Pardalotidae
tiny birds. World species 67; Australia 46. includes Families Acanthizidae & Dasyornithidae
Spotted Paralote (Pardalotus punctatus)
Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus)

 

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Honeyeaters and Australian Chats Family Meliphagidae
Honeyeaters have brush tipped togues and decurved bills.Most dull olive,greyor brown. Chats have bright males and duller females. World species 151; Australia 74
Bell Minor (Manorina melanophrys)
Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis)
Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta)
Crested Honeyeater (Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera)
Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)
Lewin's Honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii)
Little Friarbird (Philemon citreogularis)
Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera)
Mangrove Honeyeater (Lichenostomus fasciogularis)
New Holand Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)
Noisy Friarbird (Philemon corniculatus)
Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala)
Scarlet Honeyeater (Myzomela sanguinolenta)
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis)
Striped Honeyeater (Plectorhyncha lanceolata)
Strong-billed Honeyeater (Melithreptus validirostris)
White-fronted Chat (Epthianura albifrons)
White-naped Honeyeater (Melithreptus lunatus)
White-throated Honeyeater (Melithreptus albogularis)
Yellow tufted Honeyeater (Lichenostomus melanops)
Yellow-throated Honeyeater (Lichenostomus flavicollis)

Logrunner, Chowchilla Family Orthonychidae
Medium sized ground dwelling birds of wet forests. World species 2; Australia 2

Whipbirds,Wedgebills, Quail thrushes Family Psophodidae
Secretive long tailed songbirds which live close to or onthe ground. World species 15; Australia 9

Australo- Papuan Babblers Family Pomatostomidae
Noisy territorial in groups and communal roosting. World species 5; Australia 4
Grey-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis)

Australasian Robins Family Petroicidae
Small insectivores some brilliantly coloured. World species46; Australia 21
Dusky Robin (Melanodryas vittata)
Eastern Yelow Robin (Eopsaltria australis)
Jacky Winter (Microeca fascinans)
Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii)
Scarlet Robin (Petroica multicolor)

Strike-tits, Crested Bellbird, Strike-thrushes, Whistlers Family Pachycephalidae
Medium sized insectivores, plain or strongly coloured. World species 47; Austraia 16
Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis)
Grey Shrike-thrush (Colluricincla harmonica)
Rufous Whistler (Pachyephala rufiventris)

Drongo Family Dicruridae
Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus braceatus)

Fantails, Willie Wagtail Family Rhipiuridae
Grey Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa)
Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys)

Monarchs, MagpieLarks, Flycatchers Family Monarcidae
Magpie lark (Grallina cyanoleuca)
Spectacled Monarch (Monarcha trivirgatus)

Orioles, Figbirds Family Oriolidae
Both sexes of Aust. Orioles green, female figbirds brown,males coloured. World species 25; Australia 3
Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti)
Olive-backed Oirole (Oriolus sagittatus)

 

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Birds of Paradise Family Paradisaeidae
Males are spectacular in colour females and young males drab rainforest birds. World Species 43; Australia 4

Bowerbirds Family Ptilonorhynchidae
Males plain or brightly coloured females plainer. Worldspecies 18; Australia 9
Green Catbird (Ailuroedus crassirostris )
Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus)

Cuckoo-shrikes,Trillers Family Campephagidae
Insectivores , slender bodies graduated tails. World species72; Australia 7
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina Novaehollandia)
Varied Triller (Lalage leucomela)
White Winged Triller (Lalage sueurii)

Woodswallows,Butcherbirds, Currawongs Family Artamidae
Woodsallows are small aerial feeders with blackish tipped bills. Butcherbirds including magpies and currawongs arboreal and groundfeeders with hooked bills. World species 20; Australia 15.
Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen)
Black Currawong (Strepera fuliginosa)
Dusky Woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus)
Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus)
Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigroularis)
Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina)
White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus)
White-browed Woodswallow (Artamus superciliosus)

Ravens, Crows Family Corvidae
Glossy black birds with minor physical differences. Worldspecies 112; Australia 6
Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides)
Forest Raven (Corvus tasmanicus)

Australian Mud-nesters Family Corcoracidae
Sociable birds all members help breeding adults. World species 2; Australia 2 (complete)
Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea)
White-winged Cough (Corcorax melanorhamphos)

Swallows, Martins Family Hirundinidae
Small song birds with jinking flight. World species 78;Australia 6
Welcome Swalow (Hirundo neoxena)

Motacillid Pipits,Wagtails Family Motaciillidae
Slender ground feeders often wagging tails. World Species 54; Australia 8

Old world Larks Family Alaudidae
Small streaked grassland songbirds with long hind toes andsharply clawed. World species 82; Australia 2
Rufous Songlark (Cincloramphus mathewsi) Now Family Locustellidae
Singing Bushlark (Mirafra javanica)

 

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Cisticolas Family Cisticolidae
Golden headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis)

Reed-Warblers Family Acrocephalidae
Australian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis)

Grassbird, Songlarks,Spinifexbird Family Megaluridae
Little Grassbird (Megalurus gramineus)

Old World Sparrows Family Passeridae
Small brown and grey seed eaters with stout conical bill.World species 37; Australia 2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

True Finches Family Fringillidae
Grassland seed eaters small with stout conical bills. World species 440; Australia 2
European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)

Grass-Finches Family Estrildidae
Small colourful seed eaters often in flocks. World species 120; Australia 20
Beautiful Firetail (Stagonopleura bella)
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin (Lonchura castaneothorax)
Double-barred Finch (Taeniopygia bichenovii)
Plum headed Finch (Neochima modesta)
Red-browed Finch (Neochmia temporalis)
Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata)

Flowerpeckers ,Sunbirds Family Nectariniidae
Necter and insect eaters , quick flying and small, brightlycoloured .World species 117; Australia 2
Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum)

White-Eyes Family Timaliidae
Small insectivore birds with extensible tongue for necterand pollen. World species 84; Australia 3
Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)

Bulbuls Family Pycnonotidae
Only found in SE Australia. World species 118; Australia 1.

Old World Chats Family Muscicapidae

Old World Thrushes Family Turidae
Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)

Starlings, Mynas Family Sturnidae
Aggressive nomadic or migratory birds. World species 108; Australia 3
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)