The birds of the Torres Strait Islands are of particular interest to Australian birders because the islands are home to, and visited by, birds which some are New Guinea species. A number of islands are found in Australia, but a few are found in Papua New Guinea.
Access Access to these islands is not easy. Permission to visit is required from the island councils. The few birders who visit, do so on pre-organised trips by chartered yacht or, occasionally, on day-trips by chartered light aircraft. Saibai and Boigu have airstrips.
List of birds The following list is annotated with initials indicating which species have been recorded. Because these islands have not been thoroughly surveyed or regularly monitored by birders, it is very likely that the list underestimates the number of species breeding on or visiting them.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Torres Strait Islands.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories:
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in the Torres Strait Islands. (I) Introduced - a species introduced to the Torres Strait Islands as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
Cassowaries and emu Order: StruthioniformesFamily: Casuariidae
The cassowaries are large flightless birds native to Australia and New Guinea.
Southern cassowary, Casuarius casuarius Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae
Magpie goose Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anseranatidae
The family contains a single species, the magpie goose. It was an early and distinctive offshoot of the anseriform family tree, diverging after the screamers and before all other ducks, geese and swans, sometime in the late Cretaceous.
Magpie goose, Anseranas semipalmata
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
Spotted whistling-duck, Dendrocygna guttata Plumed whistling-duck, Dendrocygna eytoni Wandering whistling-duck, Dendrocygna arcuata Black swan, Cygnus atratus Radjah shelduck, Radjah radjah Green pygmy-goose, Nettapus pulchellus Garganey, Spatula querquedula Pacific black duck, Anas superciliosa Gray teal, Anas gracilis Chestnut teal, Anas castanea Pink-eared duck, Malacorhynchus membranaceus Hardhead, Aythya australis
Megapodes Order: GalliformesFamily: Megapodiidae
The Megapodiidae are stocky, medium-large chicken-like birds with small heads and large feet. All but the malleefowl occupy jungle habitats and most have brown or black colouring.
Yellow-legged brushturkey, Talegalla fuscirostris Australian brushturkey, Alectura lathami Orange-footed scrubfowl, Megapodius reinwardt
Pheasants, grouse, and allies Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
Brown quail, Synoicus ypsilophorus Blue-breasted quail, Synoicus chinensis
Grebes Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
Australasian grebe, Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
Pigeons and doves Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia Amboyna cuckoo-dove, Macropygia amboinensis Brown cuckoo-dove, Macropygia phasianella Asian emerald dove, Chalcophaps longirostris Pacific emerald dove, Chalcophaps longirostris Stephan's dove, Chalcophaps stephani New Guinea bronzewing, Henicophaps albifrons Diamond dove, Geopelia cuneata Peaceful dove, Geopelia striata Bar-shouldered dove, Geopelia humeralis Cinnamon ground dove, Gallicolumba rufigula Thick-billed ground-pigeon, Trugon terrestris Sclater's crowned-pigeon, Goura sclaterii Wompoo fruit-dove, Ptilinopus magnificus Pink-spotted fruit-dove, Ptilinopus perlatus Orange-fronted fruit-dove, Ptilinopus aurantiifrons Superb fruit-dove, Ptilinopus superbus Rose-crowned fruit-dove, Ptilinopus regina Coroneted fruit-dove, Ptilinopus coronulatus Orange-bellied fruit-dove, Ptilinopus iozonus Pacific imperial-pigeon, Ducula pacifica Purple-tailed imperial-pigeon, Ducula rufigaster Island imperial-pigeon, Ducula pistrinaria Pinon's imperial-pigeon, Ducula pinon Collared imperial-pigeon, Ducula mullerii Zoe's imperial-pigeon, Ducula zoeae Pied imperial-pigeon, Ducula bicolor Torresian imperial-pigeon, Ducula spilorrhoa Topknot pigeon, Lopholaimus antarcticus
Bustards Order: OtidiformesFamily: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.
Australian bustard, Ardeotis australis
Cuckoos Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
Greater black coucal, Centropus menbeki Lesser black coucal, Centropus bernsteini Pheasant coucal, Centropus phasianinus Dwarf koel, Microdynamis parva Asian koel, Eudynamys scolopaceus Pacific koel, Eudynamys orientalis Channel-billed cuckoo, Scythrops novaehollandiae Horsfield's bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx basalis Black-eared cuckoo, Chrysococcyx osculans Shining bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx lucidus Little bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx minutillus Pallid cuckoo, Cacomantis pallidus Chestnut-breasted cuckoo, Cacomantis castaneiventris Fan-tailed cuckoo, Cacomantis flabelliformis Brush cuckoo, Cacomantis variolosus Himalayan cuckoo, Cuculus saturatus Oriental cuckoo, Cuculus optatus
Frogmouths Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Podargidae
The frogmouths are a group of nocturnal birds related to the nightjars. They are named for their large flattened hooked bill and huge frog-like gape, which they use to take insects.
Tawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides Marbled frogmouth, Podargus ocellatus Papuan frogmouth, Podargus papuensis
Nightjars and allies Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
Spotted nightjar, Eurostopodus argus White-throated nightjar, Eurostopodus mystacalis Papuan nightjar, Eurostopodus papuensis Large-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus macrurus
Owlet-nightjars Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Aegothelidae
The owlet-nightjars are small nocturnal birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are insectivores which hunt mostly in the air. Their soft plumage is a mixture of browns and paler shades.
Australian owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles cristatus Barred owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles bennettii
Swifts Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
Papuan spinetailed swift, Mearnsia novaeguineae White-throated needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus Glossy swiftlet, Collocalia esculenta Australian swiftlet, Aerodramus terraereginae Uniform swiftlet, Aerodramus vanikorensis Pacific swift, Apus pacificus House swift, Apus nipalensis (A)
Rails, gallinules, and coots Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
Bare-eyed rail, Gymnocrex plumbeiventris Chestnut rail, Gallirallus castaneoventris Buff-banded rail, Gallirallus philippensis Dusky moorhen, Gallinula tenebrosa Eurasian coot, Fulica atra Australasian swamphen, Porphyrio melanotus Pale-vented bush-hen, Amaurornis moluccana White-browed crake, Poliolimnas cinereus Red-necked crake, Rallina tricolor Spotless crake, Zapornia tabuensis
Cranes Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".
Brolga, Antigone rubicunda
Thick-knees Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.
Bush thick-knee, Burhinus grallarius Beach thick-knee, Esacus magnirostris
Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin straight bills.
Pied stilt, Himantopus leucocephalus
Oystercatchers Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
Pied oystercatcher, Haematopus longirostris Sooty oystercatcher, Haematopus fuliginosus
Plovers and lapwings Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.
Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva Masked lapwing, Vanellus miles Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus Greater sand-plover, Charadrius leschenaultii Double-banded plover, Charadrius bicinctus Red-capped plover, Charadrius ruficapillus Oriental plover, Charadrius veredus Red-kneed dotterel, Erythrogonys cinctus Black-fronted dotterel, Elseyornis melanops
Jacanas Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Jacanidae
The Jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.
Comb-crested jacana, Irediparra gallinacea
Sandpipers and allies Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae