Introduced Birds

Common Blackbird

The Common Blackbird was introduced to Australia in the 1850s.

Most often found in urban areas, the Common Blackbird eats insects, earthworms, snails, spiders and a range of seeds and fruit. It mainly forages on the ground, probing and scratching at leaf litter, lawns and soil.

The Common Blackbird is monogamous, with males and females usually pairing together for life.

Common Starling

The Common Starling was introduced into Australia between 1850 and 1870 and has become well established.

Highly social birds, Common Starlings regularly congregate at dusk in large flocks, known as murmurations, as they search for a roosting site for the night. These flocks are well co-ordinated, twisting and swirling in tight formation, constantly changing shape. Common Starlings in these flocks generally remain silent, but at roost a few minutes later, their calls can be extremely noisy!

House Sparrow

The House Sparrow is a large finch capable of feeding on a wide range of foodstuffs, contributing to its success in establishing itself. Its diet includes insects, spiders, berries, seeds, flower buds and scraps of food. Male and females form permanent pair bonds and usually stay in the same region all year round. Introduced between 1863 and 1870, it has become well established in the east of Australia, however, it is seen as a pest today and has so far been prevented from establishing itself in Western Australia, with every bird observed there being deliberately destroyed.