A shameful total of nine species of Australia's birds are known to have become extinct since European settlement. Virtually all of these inhabited our offshore or oceanic islands, and only one, the Paradise Parrot, has become extinct on the Australian mainland. However, at least 15 subspecies have also become extinct in that time, and many of Australia's birds are currently threatened by a whole variety of different sources.
Birds Australia is currently coordinating or assisting with many research projects which help us to discover what these threatened species need to survive. Some species, such as the Orange-bellied Parrot, receive lots of publicity and are familiar to the general public, but others like the Coxen's Fig-Parrot or the Plains-wanderer are unknown by the man in the street. As an aid to assist people to understand the plight of many of these threatened species, Birds Australia has compiled profiles of a selection which explain their requirements and threats. Click on a species below for a comprehensive overview of some of Australia's most threatened birds.
A shameful total of nine species of Australia's birds are known to have become extinct since European settlement. Virtually all of these inhabited our offshore or oceanic islands, and only one, the Paradise Parrot, has become extinct on the Australian mainland. However, at least 15 subspecies have also become extinct in that time, and many of Australia's birds are currently threatened by a whole variety of different sources.