Birds of Australia

Australian birds are a continuing source of interest to many people and there is constant awareness of need for their conservation. Protective measures are only effective when based on correct identification and knowing where birds live and how they live. The purpose of Birds of Australia is to provide means of identification and to summarise the main facts known about them.

There is more than usual reason to be concerned about conservation. Australia has one of the richest bird faunas in the world in numbers of kinds which are found nowhere else. On present estimate nearly sixty percent of species which breed in Australia are unique to the continent.

Some are common and widespread but a large number are not well known and survive precariously in some restricted area or special habitat. Detailed life-history studies are required so that protective measures can be ensured.

Birds of Australia is a scientific appreciation of Australian ornithology suitable for bird watchers and conservationists and an informative introduction to local avifauna for interested visitors.