5 of the most amazing birds you’ll see at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary!

We’re celebrating National Bird Week from October 20^th-26^th 2025! Here’s a look at 5 of the most amazing birds that you can spot when you visit.

1. Emu

These incredible birds are the second-largest in the whole world (after ostriches), and while they can’t fly, their powerful leg muscles make them amazing athletes. These tough birds can survive for weeks without food if they need to, although here they eat a variety of plants and insects. At Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, you can meet these intriguing birds up close as they freely wander around Kangaroo Paddock (Map Ref R14).

2. Rainbow Lorikeet

Several brightly colored lorikeets perch on a persons hands, eating from a white plate, with blurred greenery in the background.

Nature’s most colourful party birds! These bright and cheeky parrots swoop in daily to say hello and have a feed, continuing a unique tradition that started over 75 years ago by the Sanctuary’s founder, Alex Griffiths. Join us at 8am and 4pm inside the Lorikeet arena to come face to face with these beautiful birds. (Map Ref G16)

3. Pelican

A person stands near the waters edge feeding a group of pelicans and smaller birds, with some pelicans opening their beaks wide.

Pelicans are the largest water bird in Australia. The stretchy pouch inside their bill is used to hold food until the pelican has positioned it right to swallow. When extended, a pelican’s bill can hold up to 13 litres. The Australian Pelican mainly feeds on fish, crustaceans and occasionally small turtles. Meet Pelicans daily at the Pelican and Eel Show. (Map ref N13)

4. Wedge-Tailed Eagle

A close-up of a wedge-tailed eagle with dark feathers and a pale hooked beak, set against a blurred green and yellow background.

As the largest bird of prey in the country, these majestic eagles boast long, broad wings, fully feathered legs, and their signature wedge-shaped tail that’s impossible to miss. They are truly captivating birds. At Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, you can see a Wedge-Tailed Eagle show off their skills at the WildSkies Free Flight Bird Show. (Map ref S4)

5. Orange-Bellied Parrot

A bright green and yellow parrot with blue wings and an orange patch on its belly perched on a thin branch.

The Orange-Bellied Parrot is a small parrot that is mostly found in southern Australia and un-surprisingly is named for the vivid patch of orange on the belly of this species. The Orange-Bellied Parrot is unusual amongst parrot species in that they are migratory (there are only 3 migratory parrot species in the world). See if you can spot an Orange-Bellied Parrot in the Conservation Aviary. (Map ref Q6)

Bird Week 2025

Celebrate the Sanctuary’s special feathered friends with a week full of flocking fun activities for all ages! From 20th to 26th of October, get involved with daily expert-led workshops, educational tours, kid’s activities and local feather-inspired art. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and learn during National Bird Week!

All special activities are included in your Day Ticket. Free for members.

Find Out More

Jingeri – Hello

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the greater Yugambeh language region, the Country on which Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Hospital are situated today. We recognise their continuing connections to the land, sky, waters (waterways), and wildlife. We thank them for caring for this Country and its ecosystems.

We celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and we pay our respect to Elders past and present.