Aussie Bird Count

Overview

BirdLife Australia has been at the heart of bird conservation for more than a century. One of its most popular initiatives is its annual bird count, a citizen science activity that takes place across the country during National Bird Week, each October, and engages a broad range of bird enthusiasts – newcomers and consummate twitchers alike. This growing army of bird devotees collects crucial data on species diversity and distribution, information that BirdLife Australia then uses to monitor distribution trends and to ascertain which species are thriving and which are not.

In 2022, nearly four million birds were counted by citizen scientists through the submission of 124,430 checklists. The three species whose numbers reigned supreme at the national level were the Rainbow Lorikeet, Noisy Miner and Australian Magpie. To participate, citizen scientists require only a sharp pair of eyes and access to the Aussie Bird Count app (downloadable onto smartphones) or the website (aussiebirdcount.org.au), which includes a handy bird-identification guide. Participants simply observe the bird species evident around them at a single spot for a period of 20 minutes, noting not only what birds they observe but also the number of individuals of that species that they see. In 2023, Aussie Bird Count marks its 10th annual snapshot. Citizen scientists will be counting during 16–22 October 2023.

Technical specifications

Issue date: 15 August 2023
Issue withdrawal date: 1 March 2024
Denomination: 3 x $1.20
Stamp & product design: Andrew Hogg Design
Stamp illustration: Rachel Gyan
Paper: gummed: Tullis Russell 104gsm Red Phosphor
Printer: EGO
Printing process: Offset lithography
Stamp size (mm): 26 x 37.5
Minisheet size (mm): 170 x 80
Perforations: 14.6 x 13.86
Sheet layout: Module of 50 (2 x 25 no design)
FDI Postmark: Birdsville QLD 4482
FDI withdrawal date: 13 September 2023

Stamps in this issue

$1.20 Australian Magpie

Heavy-set and powerful, the Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is an imposing black-and-white butcherbird of around 37–44 centimetres in length. Its piercing red-brown eyes and sizable pointed beak combined with its fast flight and noisy wingbeats make for an intimidating presence, and it has something of a reputation for swooping during breeding season. While the Australian Magpie might be a daunting bird, it is, however, also undeniably curious and highly intelligent, and its superb song is rich and melodious.

The Australian Magpie lives in complex social structures and is extremely territorial. It is widespread across the country, being common in city suburbs, townships, farmlands and bushland – wherever trees occur in combination with open areas.

$1.20 Rainbow Lorikeet

The Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) is a bright, bold and brassy character, around 26–31 centimetres in length. With plumage coloured green, blue, yellow and orange, this conspicuous and gregarious species occurs in flocks of noisy, screeching individuals, which can be seen darting and wheeling through the canopy of trees, when they are not hanging upside-down feeding on flower nectar.

The Rainbow Lorikeet is evident in treed areas throughout eastern Australia. It also occurs around Perth, where it is known for its aggressive behaviour in commandeering nesting hollows from competitors.

$1.20 Noisy Miner

The Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala) might be relatively small at 25–28 centimetres, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in front; this bold bird becomes very vocal when warning loudly of dangers and it will even noisily swoop pets to chase them away. The Noisy Miner has plumage that is largely grey, and a deep-yellow beak and eye-skin area. It is native to Australia and belongs to the honeyeater family, though it is often assumed to be related to the introduced Common Myna.

Usually occurring in colonies, this communal and family-oriented bird is territorial and aggressive with other bird species. While it is not uncommon in urban parkland, its preferred habitat is open woodlands and grassy forest areas right down the eastern seaboard.