Identify wild birds in Victoria

The birds shown below are the species most at risk from H5 bird flu. If you see even a single sick or dead bird from this list, report it immediately using the link above. Including a photo with your report will help us confirm the bird species.

Do not touch

Please do not handle or move sick or dead birds, as this may spread the virus.

Follow these steps

If you suspect avian influenza in poultry, please call the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.

For birds and wildlife:

AVOID contact with sick or dead birds, wildlife or their environment
RECORD what you see
REPORT wildlife sickness or deaths to DEECA using the online form or call the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888

How to report

Please report clusters of 5 or more sick or dead wild birds of any species, anywhere in Victoria.

Report even one sick or dead:

wild seabird, waterbird, shorebird or bird of prey
marine mammal (e.g. seal, dolphin).

Report sick or dead wildlife online

Your report helps us to understand the spread of H5 bird flu across the state. Accurate reports help us respond quickly where necessary.

To report sick or dead poultry or livestock please call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline immediately on 1800 675 888.

Albatross

Shy albatross standing on a rocky nesting colony with other albatrosses in the background.

Cormorants

Little black cormorant standing on rocks in shallow water. Great cormorant perched on a tree branch against a clear blue sky. Little pied cormorant perched on a stump with wings partly spread.

Ducks

Blue-billed duck swimming in wetland water with its bright blue bill clearly visible. Pacific black duck swimming across calm water with its reflection visible. Australian wood duck with ducklings feeding on grass near wetland reeds. Pink-eared duck swimming on calm water with its reflection visible below.

Gannet

Australasian gannet (Morus serrator) on water. Photo credit: Andrew Geschke, Arthur Rylah Institute.

Gulls

Pacific gull standing on a sandy beach near the water's edge. Juvenile Pacific gull standing on a rocky shoreline beside the water. Silver gull standing in shallow water along the shoreline.

Herons

White-faced heron standing in shallow water with its reflection visible on the surface. White-necked heron standing on rocks beside a muddy wetland. Nankeen night heron perched on a tree branch among dense foliage.

Oystercatchers

Pied oystercatcher standing on a sandy beach with its bright orange bill visible. Sooty oystercatcher walking through shallow water along the shoreline.

Penguin

Little penguin standing on a sandy beach at the water's edge with small waves behind it.

Petrels

Southern giant petrel standing on a sandy shoreline with blue water in the background. Wilson's storm petrel flying low over the ocean with wings spread wide.

Plovers

Hooded plover standing on a sandy beach with rocky shoreline in the background. Red-capped plover standing on a rocky beach beside the water. Masked lapwing standing on grassy ground with water in the background.