Breaking: Bird flu suspected after more than 1,000 birds found dead in three mass mortality events in SA

Surveillance teams have discovered more than 1,000 dead crested terns, the premier said. (ABC News: Carl Saville)

South Australian authorities have identified three mass bird mortality events involving more than 1,000 crested terns, which are "presumed" to have died from H5N1 bird flu.

Premier Peter Malinauskas told SA Parliament the deaths occurred on remote offshore islands including Troubridge Island off Yorke Peninsula and two small islands off Kangaroo Island known as North Page and South Page.

The deaths were detected on Wednesday.

As of today, South Australia has recorded 177 confirmed H5 bird flu cases.

The SA Government is also investigating a suspected case involving a little penguin from Kangaroo Island.