**CBCA Notable 2026, Eve Pownall Award**
**Longlisted, Australian Book Design Awards 2026, Best Designed Children's Non-Fiction Book**
Discover the birds that share our urban spaces.
What's so fancy about this bird? What's so clever about that bird? Perhaps it's a weightlifter, a marathon flier, an artist, or even a liar. You don't need to go far to see intriguing birds, even in the city. From colourful parrots to artistic bowerbirds and fancy fairy-wrens, there's lots to notice in our local backyards, streets and parks.
Written by Astred Hicks in collaboration with bird scientist Dr Holly Parsons, and featuring Astred's distinctive and engaging illustrations, This Bird features fun facts about some remarkable Australian native birds and hints on where (and how) to find them!
Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 6 to 12.
'Sometimes experienced birders can forget what first sparked our interest in birds. This beautiful book is a delightful reminder of the wonder that birds inspire in us.' Sean Dooley, BirdLife Australia
'Charming, eye-catching, fresh and informative. This Bird explores iconic Australian birds as well as some of the more overlooked species, sharing fun facts and important stories as they go.' Sami Bayly, author of The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals
Table of Contents: Introduction
This bird looks different from its partner
This bird plays hide and seek
This bird flies marathons
This bird is a moonlight wailer
These birds are noisy
This bird walks on water
This bird is loud
This bird is cheeky
This bird is a swimmer
This bird is a hoverer
This bird loves cities
This bird is 'shellfish'
This bird is strong
This bird has a mistaken identity
These birds live among the trees
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 tiny explorer
This bird is fancy
This bird is a digger
These birds are architects
This bird is a liar
This bird is a master of disguise
This bird eats on the fly
This bird has a sweet tooth
This bird is a cruncher
Glossary
Habitats
Index of species
About the authors
