From the magpie to the brown cuckoo-dove, children from across the region tried their hand at imitating their favourite feathered friends.

The third annual Bournda Environmental Education Centre and Sapphire Coast Learning Community run Bournda Bird Olympics was held at Kalaru's On the Perch Bird Park on Wednesday, August 7, with students and pupils from Bega and Narooma high schools and Tathra, Wolumla, Tanja and Towamba public schools joining in on a range of activities from bird identification to bird calling.

Last year's bird calling champion, 13-year-old Narooma student Sonny Burgess said birds surrounding his bush home north of Cobargo, and his pet cockatiel provide constant inspiration.

"I've been screaming from a young age too," he said with a smile.

The future of many Australia's birds is currently under threat and the park's head birdkeeper Linda Sass said teaching young people about the animals is more important than ever.

"If you can get people engaged in the environment we can save the planet,' she said.

"The world is in trouble at the moment and every continent has birds of some kind, so they are a really good way of engaging people.

"You can hear birds without even being able to see them."

While bird calling was a highlight of the day, Ms Sass said the bush surrounding the bird park has been quieter than usual.

"I've noticed over the last few months we haven't seen any dollarbirds here in the gully this year. This is the first year we haven't seen them breeding in the trees around the park."

Many children were engaged with the animals throughout the day, learning as much as the could about species from across the world.

"Birds are my favourite animal in my entire life," 11-year-old Liz Nelson said.

"They fly, and they come in so many different shapes, sizes and colours".

Bournda EEC principal Doug Reckord said a connection with nature is crucial to environmental education.

"When we meet people who are connected with nature they have a love of learning, and that's exactly what we want for the kids here," he said.

"So many birds are threatened and face extinction if we don't protect them."