# Darwin's feathered residents make it Australia's city of birds

> About 250 bird species call Darwin home, from colourful finches to a rare all-black kookaburra, drawn by the region's seasonal climate and sparse population.
- Title: Darwin's feathered residents make it Australia's city of birds
- Summary: About 250 bird species call Darwin home, from colourful finches to a rare all-black kookaburra, drawn by the region's seasonal climate and sparse population…
- Keywords: darwin, northern territory, birds, ornithology, wildlife, kookaburra, finches, news, politics, Darwin's, feathered, residents
- Source: Abc — https://abc.net.au/news/2026-10-18/darwin-nt-city-of-birds-unique-species-colourful-photos-top-end/107267296
- Published: 2026-10-17T18:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: darwin, northern territory, birds, ornithology, wildlife, kookaburra, finches, news, politics
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Darwin hosts about two hundred fifty bird species, including rare and colourful varieties, earning its reputation as Australia's city of birds.