Magpies ‘swoop’ into top spot in national bird count

THE results of the 12th national bird count are in, with the Australian Magpie taking out top spot.

The Aussie Bird Count was held last October and saw a record breaking five million birds counted over one week.

Organiser, Birdlife Australia, said 64,000 citizen scientists took part in the event.

Half of all surveys included a sighting of the iconic black-and-white magpie.

The Rainbow Lorikeet claimed second position on the list of most commonly spotted species, ahead of the native Noisy Miner, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, and the Magpie-lark.

As in previous years, the Rainbow Lorikeet was the most abundant bird.

“Because rainbow lorikeets are more social, hanging out in flocks.. we see more of them,” said BirdLife Australia’s National Public Affairs advisor Sean Dooley.

“But the magpie is the bird we encounter most often.

“Every second person who did the Count last year added a magpie to their list.”

The 10 most commonly seen birds are: 1. Australian Magpie; 2. Rainbow Lorikeet; 3. Noisy Miner; 4. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo; 5. Magpie-lark; 6. Galah; 7. Red Wattlebird; 8. Crested Pigeon; 9. Welcome Swallow; and 10. Common Myna.

Sightings were recorded across the mainland and in the territories of Christmas Island and Cocos Island, and sub-Antarctic Heard Island.

Around 70 percent, however, were conducted in built-up areas, providing a snapshot of the birds sharing increasingly urbanised environments.

Some birds outside the Top 10 were shown to be climbing the ranks.

The Australian White Ibis went from 23rd place in 2021, to 14th in 2025, while in NSW and Queensland the Australian Brush-turkey moved up the ladder.

“Birds respond to the changes we make to our environment,” Mr Dooley said.

“Everybody knows the bin-chicken, especially in Sydney and Brisbane where they’re doing well in the city.

“[They] have found ways to take advantage of urban growth.

“Sadly, the flipside is… smaller bush birds get pushed into decline as their habitats are destroyed.

“Adding native plants to your garden can offer a lifeline to those other Australian native birds that we’re more worried about.”

“BirdLife Australia turns 125 this year, and it all started when a passionate community of people observed the birds around them and shared their sightings with others.

“That’s still the backbone of everything we do.”

The full results can be found on aussiebirdcount.org.au/.

The 2026 Aussie Bird Count will take place in Bird Week from 19–25 October.

For more information, visit aussiebirdcount.org.au.