Birds
Australia has the most endemic bird species of any country on earth.
Birdwatching Tours in Australia
Of all the world's birding tour destinations, Australia consistently ranks as one of the most exotic and fascinating.
The geological evolution of the Australian continent has shaped the extraordinary variety of birds, estimated at 828 species (45% of which are endemic) at present. In fact, it has recently been determined that no other continent has contributed so greatly to the evolution of birds, with the majority of the world’s species having Australian ancestry. Birdwatchers across the world are continually captivated by the sights, stories and sounds of Australian species along with the opportunity to photograph them in their natural habitats. There is no doubt that Australia is one of the iconic destinations when it comes to bird watching experiences.
Australia is the birthplace of glorious songbirds and alluring parrots, with the evolutionary process contributing to the development of birds that are generally more intelligent, aggressive, loud, melodious and socially cooperative. It is also home to a range of bird families unique to the Australasian region including megapodes (mound builders), butcher birds, bowerbirds, lorikeets, lyrebirds, Australian creepers, wrens, honeyeaters and iconic cockatoos. Australia is also one of the best places to watch raptor birds as they hunt down prey and soar across breathtaking horizons.
With so many species spread across stunning and diverse habitats including tropical rainforests, coral reefs, coastal heaths, wetlands and swamps, grasslands, sandy and stony deserts and Eucalypt woodlands, it is little wonder why Australia is recognised across the globe as a birdwatchers paradise.
Wondering where the best places across Australia are to watch birds? Below you will see a list of bird watching tours in Australia listed by season, that are part of the Australian Wildlife Journeys group. Our range of experienced guides accommodate many of the most popular Australian birdwatching regions and wildlife sites throughout the country.
We invite you to bring your camera and binoculars, so we can share our knowledge and passion with you on these birding tours of Australia, which also feature beautifully appointed accommodation options, outstanding culinary offerings and fabulous hospitality.
Search for birding tours using the seasonal viewing opportunities calendar further down the page or by using the search toolbar directly below:
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Kangaroo Island Birding Tour
From $3,459 USD
3 days/2 nights
Kangaroo Island Birding Tour
From $3,459 USD
3 days/2 nights
Kangaroo Island is a birdwatcher's paradise, with the opportunity to spot over 260 birds, almost one-third of Australia's bird count.
Over 90% of the Island is mallee and woodland, with beautiful Eucalyptus groves, shrublands, fernlands and forests. The island is blessed with amazing protected coves and beaches through to rugged... -
Bird & Nature Week Christmas Island
From $2,650 USD
8 days/7 nights
Bird & Nature Week Christmas Island
From $2,650 USD
8 days/7 nights
Gain privileged behind the scenes access to the incredible birdlife on Christmas Island during the annual Christmas Island Bird & Nature Week.
Led by experienced guides specialising in bird research, you will work alongside working scientists as they band birds, collect data and highlight their subjects of expertise – all... -
Christmas Island Birdwatching
From $2,225 USD
8 days/7 nights
Christmas Island Birdwatching
From $2,225 USD
8 days/7 nights
Christmas Island is one of Australia's best birdwatching destinations. An internationally renowned seabird rookery, the island attracts about 80,000 nesting seabirds every year. You will have the opportunity to see the world's rarest booby and frigatebird!
There are 23 breeding or resident species of birds on Christmas Island, including nine... -
Murray River Safari
From $1,460 USD
4 days/3 nights
Murray River Safari
From $1,460 USD
4 days/3 nights
Experience the diverse wildlife offerings where Australia's river oasis meets the outback. This multi-activity wildlife safari along Australia's greatest river includes guided walks, canoeing, an outback drive and open back cruising, combined with luxurious houseboat accommodation and superb dining including local wines.
Spot Koalas, Kangaroos, Australian Pelicans, Royal Spoonbills, Black...
Viewing opportunities that include birds
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January,February,December, Eyre Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula - Summer Sightings by Bird Group
Bushbirds
Ratites: Emu | Kingfishers: Sacred Kingfisher | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo
Parrots
Parrots & Cockatoos: Galah, Rock Parrot, Port Lincoln Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Mulga Parrot, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo
Raptors
Hawks & Eagles: Osprey, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Swamp Harrier | Falcons: Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon
Seabirds
Gannets & Boobies: Australasia Gannet | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Pacific Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Pelicans: Australian Pelican
Songbirds
Honeyeaters: Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Blue-headed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Southern Emu-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Inland Thornbill | Robins: Southern Scrub-robin, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin | Whipbirds: Western Whipbird | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Western Whistler, Grey Strikethrush | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Willie-wagtail, Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Grey Currawong, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Dusky Woodswallow | Ravens & Crows: Australian Raven, Little Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers: Rufous Treecreeper | Babblers: White-browed Babbler | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow
Waterbirds & Waders
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Latham's Snipe | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover, Banded Plover, Grey Plover, Hooded Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron,Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Great Egret | Cranes & Relatives: Dusky Moorhen, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe
How to find these species
“Summer is the nesting season for Pied Oystercatchers, Hooded Dotterels, Red-capped Plovers so we explore several local beaches on the peninsula at this time, whilst keeping a lookout for the migratory Common Greenshank after their enormous flights from the Northern Hemisphere.
A visit to Big Swamp provides sanctuary for Black Swans, Grey Teal Ducks, Chestnut Teal Ducks, Pink Eared Ducks, Musk Ducks and Black Winged Stilts and at Mikkira and Lincoln National Park, Port Lincoln (Australian Ringneck) Parrots, Common Bronzewings, Striated Pardalotes, Spiney-Cheeked Honeyeaters and White-Browed Scrubwrens abundant. Pallid Cuckoos also migrate to the peninsula over the Summer."
Fran Solly, Birding Specialist Guide
Suggested Tour: Southern Eyre Peninsula Birdwatching
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private, Shared Departures available seasonallyHome to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.
Tours in Eyre Peninsula related to Birds
