"This book is for curious people who like to look around them and find out more. Bird noticing is a lovely way to connect with nature and the world around us."
In the introduction to this book you might recognise the names three birds you have seen in other books - the bar-tailed godwit (Jeannie Baker Circle); the satin bowerbird (Bowerbird Blues and sequels by Aura Parker) and the powerful owl (Apollo the Powerful Owl by Gordon Winch).
Almost one hundred Australian birds are explored in this book with twenty-six explored in detail. Here are some of the page headings which are sure to make you curious:
- This bird looks different from its partner
- This bird plays hide and seek
- This bird flies marathons
- This bird is a moonlight wailer
- This bird walks on water
- This bird is cheeky
- This bird is a swimmer
- This bird is a hoverer
- This bird is 'shellfish'
- This bird is gregarious
- This bird has a red butt
- This bird eats with a spoon
- This bird is more than an angler
- This bird is an artist
- This bird is a liar
- This bird is a master of disguise
- This bird has a sweet tooth
- This bird is a cruncher
On the back end paper you could play a game with your young reading companion of name that bird. I also like the way there are small symbols on each page that you use to identify the type of bird such as grassland bird, seabird, wader or raptor. Did you know the name for a bird who eats fish is a piscivore and one that eats seeds is a granivore? As with all good nonfiction this book also has a detailed index and glossary. In a classroom it would be interesting to focus on one double page each week and use the information as a jumping off point to discover even more about each urban bird and you could do a search for an audio file to hear the call of your focus bird. Perhaps your students could also do some birdwatching in their local area and you could make a class book of your discoveries. Have you discovered the ABC Radio National Tweet of the Week where listeners identify birds from their calls - it is such a fun little treat each week.
There are teachers notes available on the publisher webpage. If you purchase a library standing order this book is sure to be included. I also expect to see this book listed as a 2026 CBCA Eve Pownall notable title.
Our Australian birds do have very special features but I also love some of their names: bellbird, gang-gang cookatoo, noisy friarbird, grey goshawke, mistletoebird, pied oystercatcher, royal spoonbill, and of course the willie wagtail. Another bird that I find so curious is the Tawny Frogmouth. Take a look at this photo of a spotted pardalote - then you could compare the photo with the excellent illustration by Astred Hicks and with this one from Bridget Farmer:
After reading this book I hope one day to see a comb-crested jacana; a purple swamphen; and a red-rumped parrot!
Huge thanks to CSIRO Publishing for my advance copy of This Bird. It will be published on 1st August 2025 but I suggest you pop this on your shopping list or library wish list now.
There are some fantastic books available for our children about birds but they are not always about our unique Australian birds. I lived in Canada (my favourite bird there was the loon) some years ago and one of the things that surprised me was the way I missed the familiar sounds of our birds. Where I live now there is a colony of kookaburras and their laugh makes me smile every time I hear them nearby or have the thrill of seeing one on my balcony. When I walk in a bush area close by, I often hear the eastern whip bird calling to their partner. Out of interest I 'Googled' birds around the lagoon near my home and I found this astonishing list. Here is one of my own local favourites:
Companion books to read alongside This Bird:
In 2015 I joined a bird watching tour of Shetland and Fair Isle. I am not a bird watcher but the enthusiasm and deep knowledge of our two guides was inspirational and that shines through with the author of this book Dr Holly Parsons. Watch this 2015 video from Gardening Australia where Holly talks about birds in our gardens. You can find Astred Hicks on Instagram.
We are so lucky to have a publisher like CSIRO Publishing. They source experts in their field and pair them with hugely talented authors and illustrators. Every school and public library should have a collection of their titles. Take a look at this post from my friend at Kinderbookswitheverything. Here are a few I have read in recent years:
