Aussies embrace once 'nerdy' hobby as top bird revealed

A magpie proved to be a saviour for the Bloom family, who plan to join the next national bird count. (HANDOUT/CAMERON BLOOM)

Everyone has a bird story - many are black and white but most often it has every colour under the sun. 

The rainbow lorikeet has been unveiled as the nation's most spotted bird after a count involving nearly 60,000 Australians.