Bird Park

A colorful illustration of many different birds perched on the branches of a large tree with green leaves against a light blue sky. The title 'BIRD PARK' is displayed prominently in multi-colored letters at the bottom, with the names Julie Murphy and Annie White underneath.

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Birds paddle and skedaddle.

They hop and drop and coo and woo.

See them walking! Hear them squawking!

Come and explore our magical Australian bird park! Can you spot all 61 bird species?

From the creators that brought you Dog Beach (now available as a board book)!

In the collection

A detailed illustration of two cockatoos perched on a eucalyptus branch. One has a vibrant red crest and dark grey feathers, while the other has a black crest and striking orange-brown striped plumage. Both birds have large white beaks and are surrounded by green leaves and small seed pods.

William T Cooper, Gang-gang cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum), c.1970, nla.obj-135110160

A vintage ornithological illustration of two Rainbow Lorikeets perched on a eucalyptus branch with white blossoms. The birds display vibrant plumage: blue heads, green bodies, and rainbow-colored chests. Text identifies the species as 'The Rainbow Lorikeet' and the plant as 'Foliage Bloodwood'.

E.E. Gostelow, The rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), c. 1928 nla.obj-133044518

A detailed illustration of various Australian parrots, including a pink cockatoo, rainbow lorikeets, black cockatoo, sulphur-crested cockatoo, and other cockatoos, perched on branches with flowers and berries.

Betty Temple Watts, Lorikeets and cockatoos, 1958, nla.obj-139526742

An antique illustration of two Australian birds: a magpie with wings spread perched on a branch above a kookaburra with its beak open, both set against a soft sky background with sparse foliage.

Neville Cayley, Magpie and kookaburra, c.1898, nla.obj-135617816

A vintage Australian tourism poster featuring a woman in a red top with colorful rainbow lorikeets perched on her head and shoulders. The text reads 'Australia welcomes you' and 'A land of friendly birds. See them soon.'

David Beal, Australia welcomes you: a land of friendly birds: see them soon, c.1969 nla.obj-138063038

A black-and-white photograph shows a koala perched on a tree branch at night, accompanied by two small, fluffy birds — likely frogmouths — also sitting on the branch. The scene is set against a dark background, highlighting the animals' forms.

Ronald Monroe, Snuggling into the fur of a koala is a tawny frogmouth while a boobook owl roosts below, c.1948-1971, nla.obj-137740673

A black-and-white photo of an older man with glasses, seated at a desk and sketching birds. Several bird drawings are spread across the desk, and a magnifying lamp illuminates his work area. The scene suggests a dedicated artist or illustrator in their studio.

Gregg Borschmann, William Thomas Cooper, 1997, nla.obj-143419104

A young girl with curly hair stands outdoors, wearing a patterned dress and a belt, holding a parrot on her outstretched hand. The image is in black and white, with a plain sky and sparse background.

Robin Smith, Aboriginal Australian girl with her pet galah, Roebourne, Western Australia, c.1962, nla.obj-153342470

Teachers' Notes

Teachers' notes: Bird Park (PDF, 746.33KB)

Photo of a woman with brown hair and glasses in front of a tree

About the author

Julie Murphy has been a children’s book author for over 20 years. Often inspired by animals and nature, she first trained as a zoologist and zoo keeper. Other books of Murphy’s include Cheer up, Blobfish!, I’ve Got a Tail!, I’ve got Eyes! and Tiny Possum and The Migrating Moths.

Also by Julie Murphy

Dog Beach

Julie Murphy, illustrated by Annie White

Book

Photo of a smiling blonde woman with sun and shade on her face

About the illustrator

Annie White works from her studio in Melbourne, Australia, where she has illustrated over 90 books for children. Her picture books have appeared on the CBCA Notables list, the Speech Pathology short list and the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards short list. Her picture book Clementine’s Treasure was listed in the CBCA Early Childhood Book of the Year Notables 2023.