Australia is home to a dazzling array of yellow-colored birds that brighten the country’s varied habitats. From tiny thornbills flashing their yellow rumps amidst the scrub to cockatoos with great swooping tails of gold, these birds provide pops of color across the landscape. Some species like the Golden Whistler live here year round, while others such as the Yellow Wagtail make epic migratory journeys to spend the summer in Australia. Come discover 10 of the most eye-catching yellow birds to spot in Australia. From rainforests to grasslands, these brilliant feathered beauties are sure to delight nature lovers and birdwatchers across the country.
Bird Name | Size | Habitat |
---|---|---|
Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo | 53-65 cm long | Open eucalyptus woodland and forests |
Yellow Rosella | 28-32 cm long | Open eucalyptus woodlands, forests, parks and gardens |
Yellow-Faced Honeyeater | 13-15 cm long | Woodlands and forests |
Yellow Honeyeater | 14 cm long | Open eucalypt forests, woodlands, mangroves |
Golden Whistler | 17-20 cm long | Eucalypt forests and woodlands, rainforests, parks and gardens |
Yellow-throated Miner | 27 cm long | Open eucalypt forests and woodlands, parks, gardens |
Yellow-tailed Thornbill | 10-11 cm long | Eucalyptus forests, woodlands and scrub |
Yellow Thornbill | 9 cm long | Woodlands and open forests |
Yellow-rumped Thornbill | 11 cm long | Rainforest, woodland, scrub |
Yellow Wagtail | 17-19 cm long | Grassy open habitats like grasslands, farmland, wetlands |
Table of Contents
1. Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo
The yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus) is a large cockatoo species found in Australia. With a length of 53-65 cm and weight of 650-1,200 g, it has a very distinctive appearance. The body is mostly black, with bright yellow panels on the tail. The cheek patches are also yellow. The male and female look similar.
These birds are found across eastern and southeastern Australia, including Tasmania. Their habitat is open eucalyptus woodland and forests. They mostly eat seeds and nuts, especially from eucalyptus, banksia, and hakea trees. With their strong curved beak they are able to extract seeds and nuts from woody fruits.
The yellow-tailed black cockatoo makes a distinctive loud wailing call that carries over long distances. They have a complex social system, living in small flocks that come together into larger groups. Breeding pairs stay together for life. Nests are made in large tree hollows high up in eucalyptus trees. The female lays 2-3 eggs which hatch after about 30 days incubation. Chicks fledge at about 10-12 weeks old.
These cockatoos are long-lived, with lifespans of 40 years or more in the wild. Major threats include habitat loss and competition with invasive species like starlings for nesting hollows. Their large size and distinctive calls make the yellow-tailed black cockatoo a popular bird for birdwatchers in Australia.
2. Yellow Rosella
The yellow rosella (Platycercus elegans) is a colorful parrot native to Australia and Tasmania. With vivid yellow and green plumage, it is one of the most strikingly colored rosella species. Yellow rosellas reach 28-32 cm in length and weigh 75-115 grams.
These birds inhabit open eucalyptus woodlands, forests, parks and gardens across southeastern Australia. The diet consists mainly of seeds, fruits, nectar, flowers and insects. Seeds of eucalypts and other native trees are particularly important. Foraging takes place high in the tree canopy but also on the ground.
Yellow rosellas are active and noisy birds. They have a piercing contact call and also mimic sounds in their environment. They are very social, found in pairs or small groups most of the year but may form large flocks of several hundred birds in winter. Pairs remain bonded for life. The breeding season lasts from late winter to early summer. Nests are made in hollows of eucalyptus trees.
As a popular cage bird, the yellow rosella is bred in a range of color variants. However, aviary escapees and releases have led to hybridization with native wild birds in some areas. Major threats in the wild include loss of habitat, competition with invasive species and nest site competition. Overall though, yellow rosella populations remain fairly common across their range.
3. Yellow-Faced Honeyeater
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YPj6Fb4wuM
The yellow-faced honeyeater (Caligavis chrysops) is a small honeyeater species found in Australia. Reaching 13-15 cm long and weighing 10-25 grams, it has a distinctive facial pattern. As the name suggests, the face is yellow with a black eye stripe, along with a yellow throat and upper breast. The back and wings are olive-green.
This active little bird occurs in woodlands and forests across northern and eastern Australia. It has adapted well to human habitation and is also common in gardens, parks and plantations. Nectar from eucalypts and other native plants forms the major food source. Insects are also taken, especially in the non-breeding season.
Yellow-faced honeyeaters are social and acrobatic foragers. They probe flowers for nectar and snatch insects from leaves while hovering. The familiar call is a descending whistle. Breeding takes place from August to January. Cup-shaped nests are made from bark, grass and twigs and placed in the fork of trees.
Although still widespread and common, habitat clearance is an ongoing threat for the yellow-faced honeyeater. Urban gardens help provide an alternative habitat and food source. Overall, these striking little honeyeaters remain a ubiquitous sight in many parts of Australia.
4. Yellow Honeyeater
The yellow honeyeater (Stomiopera flava) is a small member of the honeyeater family found across northern and eastern Australia. As the name suggests, these birds have predominantly yellow plumage on the body with olive wings and back. They reach 14 cm long and weigh around 13 grams.
This species inhabits a range of wooded habitats including open eucalypt forests, woodlands, mangroves and tree-lined watercourses. They feed mostly on nectar, fruit and some insects. Eucalypt blossoms are a particularly important food source. Foraging takes place high in the canopy as well as lower down among shrubs and trees.
The yellow honeyeater is common in the northern parts of its range but becomes rarer further south. It has a musical warbling call and can be quite confiding around humans. Breeding happens from July to December. The small cup-shaped nest is made from grass, bark and spider webs and placed in a tree fork or shrub.
Loss of habitat for agriculture and development poses the main threat to populations in southern Australia. However, the yellow honeyeater remains common through the tropical north in suitable woodland habitat. Its bright plumage makes it a dashing addition to any garden within its range.
5. Golden Whistler
The golden whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis) is a small songbird found across northern and eastern Australia. The male has bright golden yellow underparts contrasting with black upperparts and throat. Females and juveniles are duller gray-green above with paler yellow underparts. These birds reach 17-20 cm in length.
Golden whistlers inhabit eucalypt forests and woodlands, rainforests, parks and gardens. Omnivorous, they eat insects and other small invertebrates as well as nectar, fruit and seeds. Hunting often takes place on tree trunks and branches among the bark or on the forest floor. Clear whistling calls ring out from high perches.
During the breeding season from August to January, males perform display flights to attract females. Nests are neat cups of plant fibers and spider webs built in a tree fork or dense shrub. Pairs raise multiple broods each season.
Once considered two separate species, the eastern and western golden whistler are now recognized as a single species with considerable variation across its wide range. Overall populations remain healthy though some local declines have occurred due to habitat loss.
6. Yellow-throated Miner
The yellow-throated miner (Manorina flavigula) is a large, noisy honeyeater species found across eastern Australia. Reaching 27 cm long and weighing 60-90 grams, it has gray-brown plumage with a distinctive bright yellow throat and underside. The forehead, lores and edges of the wing feathers are also yellow.
These gregarious birds inhabit open eucalypt forests and woodlands, parks, gardens and farmland. They feed on nectar, fruits and insects. Forming loose colonies, they aggressively defend their territory from other birds. The loud chattering call is a familiar backyard sound over much of eastern Australia.
Breeding occurs from July to December. Nests are built cooperatively in the branches of a tree and the whole colony helps feed the young birds. Yellow-throated miners are adaptable and benefit from some habitat modification by humans. Wide distribution and large total numbers ensure the species remains secure, despite local declines due to habitat loss.
7. Yellow-Tailed Thornbill
The yellow-tailed thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa) is a tiny bird, measuring just 10-11 cm and weighing 5-7 grams. As the name suggests, it has a yellow rump and tail, with the rest of the body brownish-gray. This species is found in southeastern Australia from Victoria to Tasmania.
Yellow-tailed thornbills inhabit eucalyptus forests, woodlands and scrub. They feed mostly on insects but will also take nectar and seeds. Foraging takes place among low vegetation like shrubs and saplings. They are active birds, constantly on the move. The call is a high pitched zitting contact call.
During the breeding season of September to January, pairs build an oval domed nest with side entrance out of grass and other plant material. It is placed low down in dense vegetation. Both parents incubate the eggs and raise the chicks.
Populations of the yellow-tailed thornbill remain secure across their range. Fragmentation of suitable habitat is the main threat. However, if small patches of native vegetation remain they are likely to support these adaptable little birds. The yellow rump provides a flashes of color as they feed unobtrusively among low foliage.
8. Yellow Thornbill
The yellow thornbill (Acanthiza nana) is the smallest bird endemic to Australia, measuring just 9 cm and weighing 4-6 grams. True to its name, it has overall bright yellow plumage on the body with a gray forehead and wings. This tiny bird occurs in woodlands and open forests across much of Australia except for Cape York and Tasmania.
Yellow thornbills forage actively among low vegetation, hunting for small invertebrates like insects, spiders and larvae. They work methodically through leaves and bark searching for prey. These sociable birds are usually encountered in family groups that stay in contact with frequent soft calls.
During the breeding season, the female builds a neat dome-shaped nest with side entrance out of grass, feathers and other materials. It is placed in the outer foliage of shrubs or trees. Pairs can raise several broods in a good season.
Widespread across a variety of habitats, the yellow thornbill has adapted well to human changes to the environment. Populations are generally stable. Fragmentation of habitat is a threat, but provided some trees remain they will persist. The bright color of Australia’s smallest bird brings delight as they feed busily among the undergrowth.
9. Yellow-Rumped Thornbill
The yellow-rumped thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa) is a small brown thornbill with distinctive bright yellow rump found across Australia. It grows to 11cm long and weighs just 5-8 grams. This species inhabits almost any area with trees and shrubs, from rainforest to arid woodland and scrub.
Foraging takes place low down among foliage in search of small invertebrates including insects, spiders and larvae. The yellow rump provides camouflage as they blend in against yellow flowers and leaves. Frequent contact calls keep groups in touch.
During August to December, pairs build a nest of grasses and other materials with a side entrance hole. It is placed in the outer leaves of shrubs and trees. Both sexes feed the young. Birds may raise 2-3 broods.
Widespread and adaptable to various habitats, the yellow-rumped thornbill has thrived across much of Australia. Provided some patches of vegetation remain, they persist well in fragmented landscapes. They are also common in gardens. With a bright splash of yellow, these tiny birds bring color to any patch of scrub or trees.
10. Yellow Wagtail
The yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava) is a slender songbird species that migrates all the way from its breeding grounds in Eurasia to spend the southern summer in Australia. Growing to 17-19 cm and weighing around 20 grams, it is identified by its bright yellow underparts and face, contrasting with a green back and black and white wings.
This species breeds across temperate Europe and Asia before undertaking long migrations down to Africa, India and Australia. In Australia, they occur mostly in grassy open habitats like grasslands, farmland and wetlands. Here they forage in shallow water and soft mud for insects and other invertebrates.
Yellow wagtails start arriving in Australia in September, with numbers peaking between October and December. They gather in large flocks prior to departure in April. Their arrival is keenly anticipated by birdwatchers. Walking briskly along the ground, they have a characteristic tail wagging action.
Populations of this migratory bird have declined sharply in recent decades. Loss of wetland habitat across their migratory routes and on wintering grounds threatens their future. However, they are still a regular summer visitor in good numbers to Australia. The bright yellow plumage is always a welcome sight enlivening grassy fields.