Both birds were reported by members of the public to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline and sampled by the NSW Government's H5 response team.
This is the first time an Australian native bird has tested positive for H5 bird flu in NSW.
It means a total of four birds in NSW have returned a positive result for H5 bird flu, with the first two being migratory petrel birds found near Port Stephens in early July.
Australia now has 215 confirmed detections of H5 bird flu.
Surveillance work is continuing at Narooma and Wentworth to ensure early detection of any further cases.
These NSW findings follow a significant increase in H5 positive results in South Australia where more than 80 birds, predominately terns, have been identified in a recent short time.
A national surveillance plan has been underway since June and is monitoring for any further detections and enabled to facilitate any required rapid, coordinated response.
The Minns Government has been preparing for H5 since 2024 and has specialist teams working with the wildlife sector, and the poultry and egg industry.
In preparation for impacts on native wildlife in NSW the Government has undertaken the following:
- Developed 34 operational preparedness plans for priority sites across NSW
- Plans include important offshore islands, estuaries and wetlands, as well as statewide plans for species of concern including little penguins and fur seals
- Developed species risk assessments, mapping and decision-support tools, targeted surveillance, and improved coordination with wildlife organisations and land managers
- More than 50 briefings, workshops and awareness activities with government agencies, local councils, wildlife rehabilitation groups, First Nations communities and land managers.
Public reporting is a critical part of the response, with calls to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline supporting detection efforts, and has received more than 3, 558 calls since the response began in June.
Bird flu has not been detected in commercial poultry flocks or captive birds anywhere in Australia and the risk to human health remains low.
If you encounter a suspected sick bird, or marine mammals, avoid contact and report it immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe said:
"These positive cases are not unexpected. We have been preparing for a situation like this, and we remain well equipped to respond to manage further impacts.
"We are using the best available data and tools to target actions for our most at-risk wildlife species and important natural places.
"I thank the public for their vigilance in avoiding contact with sick or dead wildlife, and reporting any unusual sickness or mass mortality to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.
Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
"Governments are working closely with the poultry industry to strengthen biosecurity to mitigate the risk of outbreaks.
"While there have been no detections in poultry in NSW, the poultry industry has been preparing for this and is across the risks and actions required at this point.
"We are continuing to work with our industry partners including key agricultural and wildlife stakeholders, ensuring the community have up to date information about our surveillance and response to detections of H5 bird flu."
