Fauna of Australia in Australia, feeding on sea grass in coastal areas. The destruction of sea grass beds is a threat to the survival of this species. Eleven species of seal—family Pinnipedia—live off the southern coast. Australia and its territories are home to around 800 species of bird; 45% of these are endemic to Australia. The fossil record of birds in Australia is patchy; however, there are records of the ancestors of contemporary species as early as the Late Oligocene. Birds with a Gondwanan history include the flightless ratites (the emu and southern cassowary), megapodes (the malleefowl and Australian brush-turkey), and a huge
Birds Australia – Victoria Birds Australia – Victoria Birds Australia Victoria (BA-VIC) was the Victorian regional group of Birds Australia. BA-VIC was formed in 1982. Members of Birds Australia resident in Victoria were automatically members of BA-VIC. The quarterly newsletter was "Vic Babbler". Activities provided for members include monthly meetings, a variety of excursions and campouts, bird surveys and conservation projects. Past Presidents include prominent ornithologists Tim Dolby and Margaret Cameron. In 2009, in association with Allen & Unwin, BA-VIC published a new bird book, "Where to See Birds in Victoria", edited by Tim Dolby, featuring the best places in Victoria for seeing birds.