Darwin's bird population

Darwin is home to about two hundred bush bird species, plus fifty to one hundred waterfowl, seabirds and shorebirds in the Northern Territory's Top End.

Why Darwin attracts so many birds

Charles Darwin University ornithology researcher John Woinarski says the seasonal climate and sparse local population make the region a safe haven for species wiped out elsewhere.

Native birds, not imported ones

Unlike most Australian cities, Darwin's birds are all native species. There are not the high densities of birds from Europe that characterise much of the rest of Australia.

“Compared to most other cities in Australia, they're all native birds, there's not the high densities of birds from Europe that characterise much of the rest of Australia.”

Colourful and noisy species

Professor Woinarski believes the in your face nature of certain colourful and noisy species has contributed to Darwin's reputation as the city of birds.

A patchwork of habitats

From dry red-dirt outback to tropical wetlands and stone country in World Heritage-protected Kakadu National Park, the Top End offers a fascinating patchwork of different habitats.

The rare all-black kookaburra

In a rural Darwin backyard, an all-black blue-winged kookaburra has become a regular visitor. It is more rare than an albino kookaburra, resulting from a genetic mutation in melanin levels.

Understanding nature's wonder

Professor Woinarski says bird identification is an ever-enticing game that gives different perspectives of the world. It is a never-ending quest to understand nature and how wonderful it is.

“It's a never-ending quest to try to understand nature and how wonderful it is.”

Aussie Bird Count begins

As citizen science project The Aussie Bird Count kicks off this month, Darwin's unique bird species are drawing attention from birdwatchers and people interested in the environment.