Birds of Australia’s North West

Over 300 species of birds can be found throughout Australia’s North West. The most common include the corella, budgerigar, lorikeet, jabiru, pelican, emu and cuckoos. But keen bird watchers may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the rare Gouldian finch or purple crowned fairy wren.

Birds range in size from huge kites, sea eagles, ospreys and Australian bustards, to smaller species such as barred finches, rock pigeons and bower birds. 

Native water birds like comb crested jacana (Jesus birds) herons, ibis, waterfowl, magpie geese, brolgas, waders, oyster catchers and boobies share the wetland areas with migratory birds which flock here in their thousands in the summer. Broome’s tidal mudflats are a great place for spotting native and migratory water birds.

There are several bird observatories throughout the region. Contact the region’s visitor centres for more details.