The Emu, a large and flightless bird, was first displayed on Australia's National Coat of arms in 1908. It was later adopted in the current Coat of Arms in 1912. Today, the Emu can be viewed as an iconic Australian symbol.
The emu is an important cultural icon of Australia, appearing on the coat of arms and various coinages. The bird features prominently in Indigenous Australian mythologies.
Rainbow lorikeet is our most commonly spotted bird, Australia's largest citizen science event finds. The rainbow lorikeet and its colourful plumage has topped Australia's largest citizen science event as the most numerous bird recorded across the country.
The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is a bird species endemic to Australia. The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is identifiable by its distinctive black feathers and bright red band on the underside of the tail in male birds. Female birds have orange-red barring on the underside of the tail.
One of the best-known Australian animals, the raucous 'laugh' of a kookaburra echoing through the bush is an iconic sound of the Australian landscape.
The results are in: the Tawny Frogmouth is Bird of the Year 2025. Following two weeks of eliminations and fierce competition, the Tawny Frogmouth has taken the top spot in Australia's favourite bird poll.
The emu is a species of flightless bird endemic to Australia, where it is the largest native bird. It is the only extant member of the genus Dromaius and the second-tallest living bird after its African ratite relative, the common ostrich. The emu's native ranges cover most of the Australian mainland.
Other Aboriginal names for kookaburra include kuukakaka (doesn't that sound like the call of the kookaburra?), jawawoodoo and gahgan.
You might recognise the Pheasant Coucal by its distinctive 'oop-oop-oop-opp' call. Sometimes mates will duet, providing a concert that sounds like water bubbling from a big bottle. In winter, its voice is a sharp hissing.
The cassowary is usually considered to be the world's most dangerous bird, at least where humans are concerned, although ostriches and emus can also be dangerous. Cassowary (Queensland, Australia).
The Red Goshawk is Australia's rarest bird of prey 🦅 ❤️ In exciting news, one has been seen for the first time in central Australia! More in the comments. Photo: Imogen Warren (example photo)
Weebills are the smallest birds in Australia, and as the name suggests, they also have very small beaks. They are mostly light brown with darker brown wing tips and pale or yellowish underparts. Weebills live in woodland habitats and feed on small insects.
Australia does not have an official national bird, but unofficially, it is widely accepted to be the Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). This impressive bird is pictured on the national coat of arms alongside another of Australia's most peculiar animals, the red kangaroo.
The National Birds of Trinidad and Tobago are the Scarlet Ibis (Trinidad - Top Left), and the Cocrico (Tobago - Top Right).
Australia's national symbols that have been officially chosen (via vote, legislation or proclamation) to represent Australia and its states and territories include:
Although Australia is considered the home of kookaburras, it only has two species compared to three in New Guinea – or four if you count the shovel-billed kookaburra, which is also called the shovel-billed kingfisher because it is in a different genus. It digs up rainforest worms with its hefty bill.
The Laughing Kookaburra native to eastern Australia makes a very familiar call sounding like raucous laughter. Their call is used to establish territory among family groups, most often at dawn and dusk. One bird starts with a low, hiccuping chuckle, then throws its head back in raucous laughter.
Kookaburras are not usually aggressive towards humans. They may, however, show territorial behaviour if they feel their space is being invaded. This is the case for most animals, including koalas.
First recorded in 1840 by the collector John Gilbert, from whom it takes its scientific name, Gilbert's Potoroo was once thought to be extinct. Today, it holds the critical distinction of being the world's rarest marsupial and Australia's rarest mammal.
While parrots have the distinction of being able to mimic human speech, studies with the grey parrot have shown that some are able to associate words with their meanings and form simple sentences (see Alex). Parrots and the corvid family of crows, ravens, and jays are considered the most intelligent of birds.
Meet the Locals: 5 Iconic Australian Birds You Should Know
The dingo is Australia's largest terrestrial carnivore, an apex predator keeping ecosystems in balance.
KingKong Gorilla 🦍 definitely. The Kangaroo 🦘 isn't strong enough to mess up the Gorilla without getting grabbed or swatted away. With the kind of strength the Gorilla has, it isn't going to take much to beat the Kangaroo.
Australia: No official motto. Formerly Advance Australia.