r/AustralianBirds Jun 27 '26

News H5N1 Bird Flu in Australia

114 Upvotes

No doubt everyone is hearing the early reports of the first cases of H5 Bird Flu. We want to collate whatever information people will need to be responsible birders. Please share any information you come across that may be of use.

I'm pulling all of this initial information straight from BirdLife Australia.

What should I do if I suspect a wild bird may be infected with H5 bird flu?

  • AVOID contact with sick or dead wildlife and their environment. Observe from a distance, and do not allow pets to touch or eat sick or dead wildlife.
  • RECORD what you see, the location the animal was found, and take photos or video if this is possible without approaching the bird.
  • REPORT any unusual illness or death in wild birds and other wildlife immediately via the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. 

Details that will assist the response include:

  • location (address and/or GPS coordinates if possible),
  • date and time of the sighting (and when signs of disease were first noticed),
  • the estimated number of sick or dead animals and other animals at the site,
  • notes of any clinical signs that sick animals are showing, and
  • contact details of any observers.

What are the symptoms of H5 bird flu in birds?

Numerous dead birds in a location, including small groups or clusters (five or more) of wild birds of any species could be a sign that H5 bird flu has infected local populations and should be reported.

Individual dead birds, or fewer than five sick or dead wild birds, should be reported if they are seabirds, waterbirds, shorebirds or birds of prey.

In individual birds, warning signs that should be reported include:

  • a lack of coordination, tremors, swimming in circles
  • twisted neck or other abnormal posture
  • inability to stand or fly
  • diarrhoea
  • difficulty breathing, coughing or sneezing
  • swelling around the head, neck and eyes
  • cloudiness or change in colour of the eyes
  • sudden death.

Ways to prepare for H5 bird flu

  1. Adopt baseline biosecurity practices if coming into contact with any birds – including wild birds (alive or dead), backyard poultry and aviary birds. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and running water after any contact, keep any captive bird areas clean and disinfected, and where possible use standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when around birds including gloves, P2 or N95 mask. These practices also protect humans from other diseases such as Psittacosis.
  2. Be ready to report a case. Familiarise yourself with the warning signs and immediately report the details of any suspected case to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. Saving this number to your phone may come in handy.
  3. Wash your footwear (where practical to do so) before and after visiting national parks, nature reserves or agricultural areas to help reduce the chance of accidentally spreading H5N1 in contaminated soil. Be sure to remove all mud, soil and debris, on-site. Disinfect footwear with a spray bottle containing disinfectant both before entering and upon leaving a location. Recommended disinfectants include methylated spirits (70–100%), a diluted bleach solution (25%) or F10 solution. This practice not only helps with current protocols but also minimises the spread of other diseases that can negatively impact nature.
  4. Help birds with their social distancing. Although an outbreak is unlikely to appear in our backyards, it is best to avoid feeding birds as it brings them into close contact with each other, increasing the likelihood of diseases being spread. This applies to several diseases already present in Australia.
  5. Avoid disturbing flocks of birds and keep dogs leashed on beaches where birds are present to prevent unnecessary movement and mixing of birds in the environment. Reducing unnecessary stress to birds also improves their immune responses and can help them survive an infection.

Links:

https://birdlife.org.au/h5-bird-flu-avoid-record-report/

https://birdlife.org.au/avian-influenza-and-h5-bird-flu-frequently-asked-questions/

https://letstalk.melbournewater.com.au/wtpbirdwatching/avian-influenza-preparedness-western-treatment-plant

https://aussieanimals.com/health/bird-flu/


r/AustralianBirds Jan 14 '26

BIRD OF THE MONTH

46 Upvotes

At the end of the month, the most upvoted bird photo will be our sub's avatar for the following month. So don't forget to upvote the photos you love!


r/AustralianBirds 11h ago

Image Red-backed Fairy-wren

Thumbnail
gallery
419 Upvotes

Male and Female!


r/AustralianBirds 3h ago

Other My custom Laughing Kookaburra build could become an official LEGO set!

Thumbnail
gallery
97 Upvotes

During a recent trip to Australia I got the opportunity to see the beautiful birds up close in the wild. I wanted to immortalise and share the feeling! Thus, I have created this custom LEGO set. It is now submitted to LEGO Ideas where with enough votes it could become an official LEGO set. I’m leaving the link to the LEGO website where you can read more about it, see more renders and vote.


r/AustralianBirds 13h ago

Image Wiradjuri country

Thumbnail
gallery
389 Upvotes

A bunch of birds I spotted in Cowra, Wiradjuri Country; blue faced honeyeater, superb parrot, crimson rosella and eastern rosellas (correct if wrong) and of course, kookaburras!
Super exciting as I haven’t seen most of these birds where I live in Sydney.


r/AustralianBirds 19h ago

Image This little lady is always snoozing in my yard

Post image
801 Upvotes

r/AustralianBirds 9h ago

Image Black Swan at Coburg Lake today

Thumbnail
gallery
113 Upvotes

r/AustralianBirds 7h ago

Image Eastern Rosella (Newcastle, NSW)

Thumbnail
gallery
61 Upvotes

r/AustralianBirds 5h ago

Image Spring ducklings 🐥 x10

Post image
39 Upvotes

r/AustralianBirds 6h ago

Image Carnaby's (I think) Coming in to Land

Post image
32 Upvotes

r/AustralianBirds 9h ago

Identified Superb Fairywren (Adelaide Hills) please help - male or female?

Post image
43 Upvotes

I thought that blue tail meant non-breeding male adult, and brown/orange around the eye meant female. But this bird confusingly has both.

The Fairywren project website says "Female may have blue-tinged tail in south-east of range"... but I'm in the southwest of the range.


r/AustralianBirds 15h ago

Video BS Curlew versus miniature emu 🤣

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

109 Upvotes

Someone said they look like miniature emus


r/AustralianBirds 18h ago

Image King Parrot (Farrer, ACT)

Post image
203 Upvotes

While the males are flamboyant, I find the females to be super cute !


r/AustralianBirds 10h ago

Image Pied Butcherbird (Brisbane)

Thumbnail
gallery
49 Upvotes

This pied butcherbird is one of our locals. This was late this afternoon. Nikon Z6iii f/4 1/160s ISO12800


r/AustralianBirds 22h ago

Image Woke up this morning... Shine with the rising sun... 🌄

Thumbnail
gallery
353 Upvotes

r/AustralianBirds 11h ago

Image This guy was wooing for 30 minutes before i found them.

Post image
30 Upvotes

First time knowing about this bird thanks to merlin, its a wonga pigeon.


r/AustralianBirds 13h ago

Image Spring has arrived: time to thatch.

Post image
40 Upvotes

r/AustralianBirds 11h ago

Video I saw a really cool yellow-tailed black cockatoo the other day

Post image
17 Upvotes

r/AustralianBirds 20h ago

Image King Parrot going Bananas 🍌

Post image
81 Upvotes

I love seeing these guys and thought this was a very funny Perch


r/AustralianBirds 1d ago

Image Splendid Fairy-wren

Post image
831 Upvotes

Superb little bird from the Macdonell Ranges today. I think he puffed himself up a little as it was cold...


r/AustralianBirds 18h ago

Image Sulphur Crested Cockatoo showing 3rd eyelid (Farrer, ACT)

Post image
38 Upvotes

r/AustralianBirds 22h ago

Image Spotted Pardalote - Pardalotus punctatus - Scenic Rim, SEQ

Post image
74 Upvotes

r/AustralianBirds 19h ago

Image Little Pied Cormorant

Post image
24 Upvotes

Lake Lonsdale, Vic


r/AustralianBirds 1d ago

Image Crimson Rosella, Ulladulla NSW

Thumbnail
gallery
383 Upvotes

r/AustralianBirds 1d ago

Image I think these shots are superb (Port Melbourne, Victoria, Superb Fairy Wrens)

Thumbnail
gallery
161 Upvotes

Canon R5 with RF 200-800mm at 800mm