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)
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)
Last edited by a moderator: