Brisbane is home to over 400 different bird species, making it one of the best bird watching spots for kids in Australia. With new species discovered and recorded each year, there are a range of both familiar and unique birds that you and your little ones can try to spot when out and about. Our article below has been created for anyone who is passionate about our feathered friends, with details on the best places in Brisbane to spot them.
Bird Watching Tips
It is no secret that Brisbane is home to an impressive array of birds. Small, large, colourful, unique – we have them all and love to watch them in their natural environment. Depending on the type of bird and the habitat they reside in, there are a number of different tips that will help you get the most out of your bird watching experience. Here are some top tips for bird watching in Brisbane with kids.
Apps, Websites, Brochures, Guide Books
There are a number books, brochures and apps available that can help you identify the birds you may spot out in the wild. Some apps include bird calls and/or photographs. Here are some we would recommend:
- (Book and App) The Field Guide to Birds of Australia by Pizzey and F. Knight
- (Book and App) Field Guide to Australian Birds by M. Morcombe
- (Book) Birds of Brisbane: A Queensland Museum Wild Guide by G. Czechura
- (Brochure Link) Birds of Queensland Brochure
- (Website Link with pictures) Birds of Logan
Top Tips (recommended by Birds of Queensland)
- Many birds are more active and vocal in the first few hours after sunrise. This can be a good time to go birding.
- It is useful to get to know the calls of birds, particularly the common species. There are phone apps available with bird calls which may be of assistance.
- Approach birds quietly, watching their behaviour.
- Do not approach nests as nesting birds may permanently leave their nests if disturbed.
- Shorebird roosts are best visited at high tide when the birds are unable to feed. At low tide, shorebirds spread out to feed on mud flats and can be difficult to identify. Many of our shorebirds are only present during summer.
- Use binoculars and have a field guide or phone app available. A telescope is useful for shorebirds and at large water bodies.
Places in Brisbane to go Bird Watching with Kids
Brisbane’s green spaces and diverse natural environments means that bird watching is possible pretty much as soon as you step out of your door. Even so, there are many locations in Brisbane that are known for their impressive numbers and wide range of birds life. Both Birds Queensland and Bird Places Of Brisbane are great resources that outlines many of these, with the below areas being some of our favourites to visit with the kids.
Eagleby Wetlands
When it comes to bird watching for kids in Brisbane, one spot really does stand out amongst the rest. Eagleby Wetlands, with its variety of habitats and ideal natural conditions, attracts more than 200 native bird species each year. Considering that is almost half of the bird species found in Queensland, it is little wonder it is considered one of the best sites in SE Queensland for birdwatching. Several bird hides can be found along the extensive pathways and the grassland, wetland, parkland, riverine, mangroves, melaleuca swamps and bush environments mean the huge range of birds found here is almost endless.
Birds to spot: Wandering Whistling Duck, Magpie Goose, Straw-necked Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Striated Heron, White-necked Heron, White-faced Heron, Lathamโs Snipe*, Rufous Fantail, Rufous (Little) Shrikethrush, Pheasant Coucal, Golden-headed Cisticola, Tawny Grassbird, Shining Bronze Cuckoo, Mistletoebird, Red-browed Finch, Double-barred Finch, Azure Kingfisher, Little Egret, Brahminy Kite, Brown Goshawk, Wedge-tailed Eagle.
Berrinba Wetlands
Berrinba Wetlands cover an area of 120 hectares, with only one third of the wetlands developed. A man-made project, the area has more than 43,000 native trees and plants, which are are haven for the near 140 species of birds that have been recorded there. With over 8km of walking paths that weave in and around the forest and lake areas, kids will have have plenty of opportunities for bird watching here. Make sure they keep an eye out for the 100 nesting boxes that have been set up high in the trees too.
Bird to spot: Scarlet Myzomela, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Rufous Whistler, White-throated Gerygone, Black-faced Cuckooshrike, White-throated Honeyeater, Channel-billed Cuckoo*, Pied Cormorant, Olive-backed Oriole, Rufous Fantail, Eastern Yellow Robin,Spangled Drongo, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, Eastern Spinebill, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Eastern Osprey, Leaden Flycatcher.
Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
The inner-city garden oasis that is the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens offers families a wealth of fun and adventure in a stunning natural setting. With a playground, wide open lawns, large trees, tranquil ponds, manicured gardens and lush mangroves – the parklands are also home to a huge array of bird life that inhabit it all. Grab a picnic blanket and a pair of binoculars and see how many birds the kids can spot while there.
Birds to spot: Hardhead, Buff-banded Rail, Dusky Moorhen, Australasian Swamphen, Bush Stone-curlew, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Tree Martin.
Gold Creek Reserve
Gold Creek Reserve comes highly recommended as one of the best bird watching hotspots. Tracks and cycle paths in the reserve wind throughout woodland, rainforest and lakes, all offering a variety of both water and land birds waiting to be discovered.
Birds to spot: Eastern Yellow Robin, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Pale-headed Rosella, Red-browed Finch or an Australian King-Parrot.
Boondall Wetlands
Lying on the edge of Moreton Bay, the Boondall Wetlands include over 1000 hectares of mangroves, wetlands, tidal flats, salt marshes and open forest. For bird-enthusiasts, there are paved tracks and boardwalks that weave within the environment and even a bird hide too. Depending on the tide, the hide will gift little ones views of an abundance of birds and the education centre found here will fill them with a range of information on the different species found here too.
Birds to spot: Mangroves, saltmarsh, freshwater wetland, woodland, grassland. Take insect repellent. Shining Bronze Cuckoo, Tawny Frogmouth, Sacred, Forest and Torresian Kingfisher, Superb, Variegated and Red-backed Fairywren, Scarlet Myzomela (Honeyeater).
Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens is a wonderful day out for families and also the perfect location for bird watching for kids. The landscaped gardens and picturesque lakes overflow with colourful bird life waiting to be discovered, and with a cafe, information centre, library, herbarium and even planetarium on the mountain there will be something for everyone to enjoy when visiting.
Birds to spot: Hardhead, Australasian Grebe, Little Black and Little Pied Cormorant, Bush Stone-curlew, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet.
Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre
Located within the expansive D’Aguilar National Park, Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre is a bushland oasis teaming with interesting birdlife. From the free-roaming emus in the outdoor enclosure to the wild and wonderful array of feathered friends found flittering along the bush walk tracks and paths. Kid will love it all – including the Discovery Centre itself, the small zoo and the surrounding woodland, lake and rainforest filled with birds.
Birds to spot: Hardhead, Australasian Grebe, Painted Buttonquail, Bush Stone-curlew, Comb-crested Jacana, Peaceful Dove, Pacific Koel*, Shining Bronze Cuckoo, Forest Kingfisher, Variegated Fairywren, Little Lorikeet, White-naped Honeyeater, Bell Miner, White-browed Scrubwren, Eastern Wh
Osprey House Environmental Centre
A visit to Osprey House can see your little (and big) oneโs bird watching, walking on the boardwalks, learning about the environment, enjoying a picnic, having a play or even doing an impromptu performance in the amphitheatre. It’s dedicated Raptor Nest Pole provides the Osprey with a secure and safe nesting site. The nest is home to a pair of adult Osprey, George and Hope. During the breading season eggs often hatch in the nest, with all the action being captured on โnest cam.โ The footage from the camera, which has a perfect view of the nest, can be viewed on the screen in the Environment Centre.
Birds to spot: Pacific Koel*, Buff-banded Rail, Pied Oystercatcher, Pied Stilt, Red-capped Plover, Red-kneed and Blackfronted Dotterels, Whimbrel*, Eastern Curlew*, Bar-tailed* and Black-tailed* Godwits, Great Knot*, Sharp-tailed* and Curlew* Sandpipers, Red-necked Stint*, Lathamโs Snipe*, Terek*, Common* and Marsh* Sandpipers, Little, Australian, Caspian and Greater Crested Terns, Great and Intermediate Egrets, Royal Spoonbill, Eastern Osprey, Brahminy Kite, Torresian Kingfisher, Mangrove Honeyeater.
Tinchi Tamba Wetlands Reserve
Tinchi Tamba Wetlands Reserve is over 380 hectares in size and a shorebird hot spot. Look for the secretive mangrove kingfishers within the mangroves. During the summer months migratory shorebirds roost and feed on the mudflats. Kids can observe the birds from the boardwalk, bird hide, or even from on the water.
Birds to spot: Chestnut Teal, Straw-necked Ibis, Striated Heron, White-faced Heron, Whistling Kite, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Red-capped Plover, Far Eastern Curlew*, Marsh Sandpiper*, Caspian Tern, Bar-shouldered Dove, Shining Bronze Cuckoo, Brush Cuckoo*, Oriental Dollarbird*, Rainbow Bee-eater, Pale-headed Rosella, Variegated, Superb and Red-backed Fairywren, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Mangrove Honeyeater, Mangrove Gerygone, White-breasted Woodswallow, Rufous Shrikethrush, Rufous and Grey Fantail, Australian Reed Warbler.
D’Aguila National Park
The serene forests and spectacular waterfalls and creeks that lie within the D’Aguilar Forest create the ideal location for birdwatching in Brisbane. While there are numerous kid-friendly trails that will gift little ones with numerous winged sightings, this list of the best bird watching trails in the forest illustrates just how many opportunities D’Aguilar offer kids in Brisbane to witness a variety of birds in their natural habitat.
Birds to spot: Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Topknot, Wonga and White-headed Pigeon, Wompoo and Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, Australian King Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Noisy Pitta, Green Catbird, Regent and Satin Bowerbird, Eastern Spinebill, Lewinโs Honeyeater, Yellow-throated and Large-billed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone, Australian Logrunner, Eastern Whipbird, Australian Golden Whistler, Rufous Fantail, Black-faced Monarch, Paradise Riflebird, Pale-yellow and Rose Robin, Russet-tailed Thrush.
Minnippi Parklands
Minnippi Parklands is a gift to southern Brisbane locals, with its wide open grasslands, winding pathways, playground, lake and surrounding forest. The trees and lakes are filled with many species of water birds and woodland birds that keen little Brisbane kids will find easy to spot. The viewing platform that rests against the lake is often surrounded by water birds putting on a show for visitors.
Birds to spot: Wetland, lagoon, woodland, grassland, mangroves, parkland. Magpie Goose, Wandering Whistling Duck, Comb-crested Jacana, Lathamโs Snipe*, Bar-shouldered Dove, Pacific Koel*, Channel-billed Cuckoo*, Oriental Dollarbird*, Grey Shrikethrush, Golden-headed Cisticola.
Scarborough Foreshore
The Scarborough Foreshore is another popular hotspot for avid bird watchers. When the tide is out, shorebirds can be spotted from both Jamieson and Tingira Park. At high tide, they roost on man-made rock walls along Landsborough Avenue. Take the kids to nearby Pirate Park where they can enjoy the delightful themed playground and also some awesome bird sightings too.
Birds to spot: Australian Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers, Pacific Golden Plover*, Whimbrel*, Ruddy Turnstone*, Great Knot*, Grey-tailed Tattler*, Little, Australian, Caspian, Common and Greater Crested Terns, Pied Cormorant, Striated Heron, Eastern Osprey, Brahminy Kite, Australasian Pipit.
Oxley Creek Common
Shady walking trails
Oxley Creek Common has recorded one the highest numbers of different bird species over the years, making it an easy option when looking for bird watching spots in Brisbane for kids. They even have their own designated Oxley Common Bird Trail that you can follow, complete with a list of the bird species you should look out for along the way.
Birds to spot: Brown Quail, Strawnecked Ibis, Eastern Cattle Egret, Black-shouldered Kite, Pied Stilt, Black-fronted Dotterel, Bar-shouldered Dove, Horsfieldโs Bronze Cuckoo, Oriental Dollarbird*, Brown Falcon, Superb, Variegated and Red-backed Fairywren, Lewinโs and Striped Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckooshrike, Olive-backed Oriole, Rufous and Australian Golden Whistler, Grey Fantail, Fairy Martin, Golden-headed Cisticola, Silvereye, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin.
Identification Sheet for Brisbane Kids
Before you head out and about bird watching in Brisbane be sure to print out this identification sheet and check off all of the unique and wonderful birds you spot along the way!
http://birdsqueensland.org.au/downloads/whatbirdqdi.pdf
Regardless where you go in Brisbane, make sure your Brisbane Kids have their binoculars at the ready. With so many amazing bird species calling our local trees home, Brisbane really is one of the best spots for bird watching for our kids.
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