Victoria is a state in Australia, with 527 species of bird recorded.
This list is based on the 1996 classification by Sibley and Monroe (though there has been a recent (2008) extensive revision of Australian birds by Christidis and BolesSystematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds), which has resulted in some lumping and splitting. Their system has been developed over nearly two decades and has strong local support, but deviates in important ways from more generally accepted schemes. Supplemental updates follow The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Victoria (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Victoria as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
Victoria is Australia's second-smallest state but has high biodiversity, with 516 bird species recorded — around 54% of Australia's total of 959 bird species in just 3% of Australia's land area.
Birds are present in high concentrations in some areas, including the Western Treatment Plant at Werribee in Melbourne's suburbs, which is a haven for tens of thousands of birds, due to a combination of permanent water, varied landforms and plant species.
Victoria contains a wider variety of natural habitats than any area of similar size in Australia. Habitats range from warm temperate rainforest in the far east of the state (East Gippsland), cool temperate rainforest, heathlands, mallee (stunted eucalypt) scrubland, grasslands, open woodland, montane forest, permanent lakes, estuaries, large permanent rivers, ocean and bay coastline. 4 million hectares of the state's 23.7 million hectare total land and marine area is protected in National Parks and conservation reserves.
Key locations The state of Victoria includes the following 36 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) classified by BirdLife International: Anderson Inlet Australian Alps Barmah-Millewa Bendigo Box-Ironbark Region Bellarine Wetlands Carrum Wetlands Cheetham & Altona Corner Inlet Discovery Bay to Piccaninnie Ponds Devilbend Reservoir Gabo & Tullaberga Islands Gippsland Lakes Lake Corangamite Complex Lawrence Rocks Little Desert Lower Brodribb River Maryborough-Dunolly Box-Ironbark Region Murray-Sunset, Hattah-Kulkyne & Annuello Nadgee to Mallacoota Inlet Natimuk-Douglas Wetlands North Victorian Wetlands Otway Range Patho Plains Phillip Island Port Fairy to Warrnambool Puckapunyal Rushworth Box-Ironbark Region St Arnaud Box-Ironbark Region Swan Bay & Port Phillip Bay Islands Wandown Warby-Chiltern Box-Ironbark Region Werribee & Avalon Western Port Wilsons Promontory Islands Wyperfeld, Big Desert & Ngarkat Yambuk
Several sites in Victoria have been listed amongst Australia's top ten birdwatching locations including: Western Treatment Plant, Werribee, 40 km west of MelbourneTaylor, S. (2013) Best 100 Birdwatching Sites in Australia NewSouth PublishingEd: Dooley, S. (2014) "Top Spots: Australia's favourite birding places" Australian Birdlife 3 (1) p.42-47 Mallacoota, East Gippsland, 513 km east of Melbourne Dandenong Ranges 40 km east of Melbourne Chiltern 290 km northeast of Melbourne Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, Mallee (Victoria) 495 km northwest of Melbourne
The following Victorian sites have been listed amongst Australia's top 100 birdwatching locations: Banyule Flats Reserve, Banyule, 20 km northeast of Melbourne Phillip Island, South Gippsland, 142 km southeast of Melbourne Gipsy Point, East Gippsland, 500 km east of Melbourne You Yangs Regional Park, 60 km west of Melbourne Port Fairy Pelagic, Port Fairy 288 km west of Melbourne Bunyip State Park, West Gippsland, 86 km east of Melbourne Serendip Sanctuary, 60 km west of Melbourne Cabbage Tree Creek Nature Conservation Reserve, East Gippsland 408 km east of Melbourne Tarra-Bulga National Park, South Gippsland, 193 km southeast of Melbourne Little Desert National Park 373 km northwest of Melbourne Wilsons Promontory National Park, South Gippsland, 213 km southeast of Melbourne Sale Common Nature Conservation Reserve, Sale, East Gippsland 216 km southeast of Melbourne Bronzewing Flora & Fauna Reserve, Ouyen Mallee (Victoria), 425 km northwest of Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne 53 km southeast of Melbourne
Ostriches Order: StruthioniformesFamily: Struthionidae
This order is not native to Australia, but feral populations of one species have become established.
Common ostrich, Struthio camelus (I)
Cassowaries and emu Order: CasuariiformesFamily: Casuariidae
This family of flightless ratite birds is represented by two living species in Australia. Another two species are found in New Guinea. The extinct, geographically isolated King and Kangaroo Island emus were historically considered to be separate species to mainland emus. However, genetic evidence from 2011 suggests that all three are conspecific.
Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae
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 the screamers and before all other ducks, geese and swans, sometime in the late Cretaceous. The single species is found across Australia.
Magpie goose, Anseranas semipalmata (I)
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 Wandering whistling-duck, Dendrocygna arcuata (A) Cape Barren goose, Cereopsis novaehollandiae Freckled duck, Stictonetta naevosa Mute swan, Cygnus olor Black swan, Cygnus atratus Australian shelduck, Tadorna tadornoides Cotton pygmy-goose, Nettapus coromandelianus (A) Australian wood duck, Chenonetta jubata Garganey, Spatula querquedula (A) Australian shoveler, Spatula rhynchotis Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (A) Pacific black duck, Anas superciliosa Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos (I) Gray teal, Anas gracilis Chestnut teal, Anas castanea Pink-eared duck, Malacorhynchus membranaceus Hardhead, Aythya australis Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (A) Blue-billed duck, Oxyura australis Musk duck, Biziura lobata
Megapodes Order: GalliformesFamily: Megapodiidae
Megapodiidae are represented by various species in the Australasian region. They are commonly referred to as "mound-builders" due to their habit of constructing large mounds to incubate their eggs.
Malleefowl, Leipoa ocellata
Guineafowl Order: GalliformesFamily: Numididae
Numididae are not native to Australia, but feral populations of one species exist in Queensland.
Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris (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.
Brown quail, Synoicus ypsilophora Blue-breasted quail, Synoicus chinensis Stubble quail, Coturnix pectoralis
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.
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.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) White-headed pigeon, Columba leucomela Spotted dove, Streptopelia chinensis (I) Brown cuckoo-dove, Macropygia phasianella (A) Pacific emerald dove, Chalcophaps longirostris (A) Common bronzewing, Phaps chalcoptera Brush bronzewing, Phaps elegans Crested pigeon, Ocyphaps lophotes Wonga pigeon, Leucosarcia melanoleuca Diamond dove, Geopelia cuneata Peaceful dove, Geopelia placida Bar-shouldered dove, Geopelia humeralis (A) Superb fruit-dove, Ptilinopus superbus (A) Rose-crowned fruit-dove, Ptilinopus regina (A) Topknot pigeon, Lopholaimus antarcticus
Bustards Order: OtidiformesFamily: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.
Australian bustard, Ardeotis australis
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. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
Pacific koel, Eudynamys orientalis (A) Channel-billed cuckoo, Scythrops novaehollandiae Horsfield's bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx basalis Black-eared cuckoo, Chrysococcyx osculans Shining bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx lucidus Pallid cuckoo, Cuculus 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.
Tawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides
Nightjars and allies Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
Spotted nightjar, Eurostopodus argus White-throated nightjar, Eurostopodus mystacalis
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 which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit 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 which 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 Black-tailed nativehen, Tribonyx ventralis 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
Cranes Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae