Identify Birds by Sight

This guide shows you how to identify birds using just your eyes. Learn how to use clues like size, shape, colour and simple features to narrow down what you’re seeing. Get tips on which bird ID apps to try.

Location

A quick way to narrow down which bird you’re seeing is to think about location. Different species have different ranges, and some are only found in certain parts of Australia.

Here’s an example of how to identify Australia’s kookaburras by where they live:

Laughing Kookaburra – eastern and southern Australia
Blue-winged Kookaburra (pictured) – northern and eastern Australia
Cape York Kookaburra – Cape York Peninsula, Queensland

Size

Bird size is easier to measure by length rather than height. Here are six size categories used by birdwatchers, with examples of common Australian birds:

Very small – under 15 cm
Weebill (8 cm), Striated Pardalote (9 cm), Brown Thornbill (10 cm), Superb Fairywren (13 cm)

Small – 15–30 cm
Eastern Yellow Robin (16 cm), Budgerigar (18 cm), Willie Wagtail (20 cm), Magpie-lark (28 cm)

Medium – 30–45 cm
Common Bronzewing (33 cm), Crimson Rosella (34 cm), Black-shouldered Kite (36 cm), Australian Magpie (40 cm)

Medium to large – 45–60 cm
Australian Wood Duck (47 cm), Black Kite (51 cm), Australian Raven (52 cm), Caspian Tern (56 cm)

Large – 60–75 cm
Channel-billed Cuckoo (62 cm), White-faced Heron (65 cm), Australian Brush-turkey (70 cm), Australian White Ibis (72 cm)

Very large – over 75 cm
Superb Lyrebird (90 cm), Brolga (113 cm), Black Swan (131 cm), Australian Pelican (170 cm)

Shape

Bird shape is another helpful clue - many species have distinct silhouettes (like this Australian Pelican). Ask yourself:

Body – Is it sleek, compact or stocky?
Head – Is it round, pointed or crested?
Neck – Is it short, thick, long or thin?
Bill (beak) – Is it long or short? Wide or narrow? Curved or straight?
Tail – Is it long, pointed, short, square, forked or fan-shaped? Does it tilt up or down?
Wings – Are they broad, pointed or rounded? Do the feathers stick out at the ends?
Legs – Are they long or short in proportion to the body?

Colour

Colour is one of the easiest ways to help identify a bird. Scan the bird’s feathers (plumage), and check the colour of its eyes, bill and legs/feet. Here are some common terms used in bird descriptions:

Bars – thin horizontal or vertical lines
Bands – thicker horizontal or vertical lines
Chevrons – V-shaped markings
Collar – a band around the neck, like a necklace
Spots – round, dot-like markings (like this Spotted Pigeon)
Speckles – small, scattered markings
Crescents – half-moon shapes
Eyebrow – lines above or around the eyes
Hood or cap – colouring on the head
Face or mask – markings around the eyes or face

Behaviour

A bird’s behaviour can also give you clues. Ask yourself - Is it swimming or wading? Is it on the ground, in a tree or bush, or on a fence? Is it soaring, flapping, or hovering?

Birds are often found near their food or nest. For example:

Eastern Brown Thornbill – forages closer to the ground for insects
Yellow-rumped Thornbill – feeds on insects, nectar, and fruit, and is often seen higher in trees

Birdwatching apps

Technology has made birdwatching easier. Many field guides are now online, and AI-powered apps help you identify birds quickly. Here are some popular options: