A total of 383 species of bird have been recorded living in the wild on the island of Tasmania, nearby islands and islands in Bass Strait. Birds of Macquarie Island are not included in this list. Twelve species are endemic to the island of Tasmania, and most of these are common and widespread. However, the forty-spotted pardalote is rare and restricted, while the island's two breeding endemic species, the world's only migratory parrots, are both threatened. 22 species are introduced, and 30 species are globally threatened.
Several species of penguin are late summer visitors to Tasmanian shores. Tasmania's endemic birds have led to it being classified as an Endemic Bird Area (EBA), one of 218 such areas worldwide. Priority regions for habitat-based conservation of birds around the world, they are defined by containing two or more restricted-range (endemic) species.
Although Tasmania has been isolated from the Australian mainland for about 10,000 years, islands in the Bass Strait between the two landmasses have allowed many species to traverse. With around 5,400 km (3,400 mi) of coastline and 350 offshore islands, Tasmania provides a diverse haven for birds despite its relatively small size. Birds are abundant in Tasmanian wetlands and waterways, and ten of these habitats are internationally important and protected under the Ramsar Convention. Many migratory birds make use of the bays, mudflats and beaches for feeding, including the threatened hooded plover and little tern, both of which breed along the coast. The near-coastal button grass grasslands of the southwest, harbour the breeding grounds of the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot. Many of the rarer species dwell in Tasmania's eucalyptus (sclerophyll) forest or rainforest, which cover much of the island.
The common and scientific names and taxonomic arrangement follow the conventions laid out in the 2008 publication Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Supplemental updates follow The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition.
This list uses British English throughout. Any bird names or other wording follows that convention. Unless otherwise noted, all species listed below are considered to occur, or have occurred since European settlement in the case of extinct species, regularly in Tasmania as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The following codes denote certain categories of species:
(I) – Introduced: Birds that have been introduced to Tasmania by humans (Ex) – Extinct (V) – Uncommon vagrants to Tasmania (E) – Endemic to Tasmania
Cassowaries and emu Order: CasuariiformesFamily: Dromaiidae
The Dromaiidae were represented in Tasmanian territory by two species, both now extirpated. The King Island emu became extinct around 1802, and the original populations of emus on Tasmania had vanished by 1865.HANZAB 1, p. 49. Whether or not the Tasmanian emu was a separate subspecies is unclear.
Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae (extirpated) Tasmanian emu, D. h. diemenensis (Ex) (E) King Island emu, D. h. minor (Ex) (E)
Magpie goose Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anseranatidae
The family contains a single species, the magpie goose. It was an early and distinctive offshoot of the anseriform family tree, diverging after screamers and before all other ducks, geese and swans, sometime in the late Cretaceous. The single species is a vagrant to Tasmania.
Magpie goose, Anseranus semipalmata (V)
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are adapted for an aquatic existence, with webbed feet, bills that are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils.
Plumed whistling-duck, Dendrocygna eytoni (V) Wandering whistling-duck, Dendrocygna arcuata (V) Cape Barren goose, Cereopsis novaehollandiae Freckled duck, Stictonetta naevosa Mute swan, Cygnus olor (I) Black swan, Cygnus atratus Australian shelduck, Tadorna tadornoides Australian wood duck, Chenonetta jubata Australasian shoveler, Spatula rhynchotis Pacific black duck, Anas superciliosa Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos (I) Grey teal, Anas gracilis Chestnut teal, Anas castanea Pink-eared duck, Malacorhynchus membranaceus (V) Hardhead, Aythya australis Blue-billed duck, Oxyura australis Musk duck, Biziura lobata
New World quail Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. One species has become naturalised in Tasmania.
California quail, Callipepla californica (I)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump, with broad, relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Two species are native to Tasmania.
Indian peafowl, Pavo cristatus (I)HANZAB 2, p. 373. Brown quail, Coturnix ypsilophora Stubble quail, Coturnix pectoralis Red junglefowl, Gallus gallus (I) Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)HANZAB 2, p. 377. Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (I)HANZAB 2, p. 355.
Grebes Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Three species have been recorded in Tasmania.
Australasian grebe, Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Hoary-headed grebe, Poliocephalus poliocephalus Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
Pigeons and doves Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Eight species have been recorded in Tasmania, two of which have been introduced and another three are vagrants.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) White-headed pigeon, Columba leucomela (V) Spotted dove, Spilopelia chinensis (I) Common bronzewing, Phaps chalcoptera Brush bronzewing, Phaps elegans Superb fruit-dove, Ptilinopus superbus (V) Rose-crowned fruit-dove, Ptilinopus regina (V) Topknot pigeon, Lopholaimus antarcticus (V)
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs.
Channel-billed cuckoo, Scythrops novaehollandiae (V) Horsfield's bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx basalis Black-eared cuckoo, Chrysococcyx osculans (V) Shining bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx lucidus Little bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx minutillus Pallid cuckoo, Cacomantis pallidus Fan-tailed cuckoo, Cacomantis flabelliformis Brush cuckoo, Cacomantis variolosus
Frogmouths Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Podargidae
The frogmouths are a distinctive group of small nocturnal birds related to swifts found from India across southern Asia to Australia. One species is found in Tasmania.
Tawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides
Owlet-nightjars Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Aegothelidae
The owlet-nightjars are a distinctive group of small nocturnal birds related to swifts found from the Maluku Islands and New Guinea to Australia and New Caledonia.
Australian owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles cristatus
Swifts Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
White-throated needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus Pacific swift, Apus pacificus
Rails, gallinules, and coots
Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small- to medium-sized birds that includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes that are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
Lewin's rail, Lewinia pectoralis Buff-banded rail, Gallirallus philippensis (V) Black-tailed nativehen, Tribonyx ventralis (V) Tasmanian nativehen, Tribonyx mortierii (E) Australian crake, Porzana fluminea Dusky moorhen, Gallinula tenebrosa Eurasian coot, Fulica atra Australasian swamphen, Porphyrio melanotus Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla Spotless crake, Zapornia tabuensis
Thick-knees Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of species of largely tropical and nocturnal birds. They are characterised by their strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. One species is a vagrant to Tasmania.
Bush thick-knee, Burhinus grallarius (V)
Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds that includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. All three mainland species have been recorded in Tasmania.
Pied stilt, Himantopus leucocephalus (V) Banded stilt, Cladorhynchus leucocephalus (V) Red-necked avocet, Recurvirostra novaehollandiae (V)
Oystercatchers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prying open molluscs. Two species have been recorded from Tasmania.
Pied oystercatcher, Haematopus longirostris Sooty oystercatcher, Haematopus fuliginosus
Lapwings and plovers Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small- to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are often found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. In Tasmania, ten species have been recorded, three of which are vagrants.
Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva Banded lapwing, Vanellus tricolor Masked lapwing, Vanellus miles Black-shouldered lapwing, V. m. novaehollandiae Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus Greater sand-plover, Charadrius leschenaultii (V) Double-banded plover, Charadrius bicinctus Red-capped plover, Charadrius ruficapillus Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius (V) Oriental plover, Charadrius veredus (V) Red-kneed dotterel, Erythrogonys cinctus (V) Hooded plover, Thinornis cucullatus Black-fronted dotterel, Elseyornis melanops
Painted-snipe Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rostratulidae
The painted-snipes are a family of three snipe-like birds found in South America, Asia and Australia. The Australian species has been split from the Asian greater painted-snipe and is a vagrant to Tasmania.
Australian painted-snipe, Rostratula australis (V)
Sandpipers and allies Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large and diverse family of small- to medium-sized shorebirds, including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus Little curlew, Numenius minutus (V) Far Eastern curlew, Numenius madagascariensis Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa Hudsonian godwit, Limosa haemastica (V) Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres Great knot, Calidris tenuirostris