Animal of the Day 189 July 9
The Australian Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) is a medium to large-sized lizard. They can grow up to one metre in length, with their tail making up to two-thirds of their body length. Males are generally larger than females. Weight can reach over a kilogram. They are generally placid in the presence of humans. I photographed this individual after sharing a site with it at Millaa Millaa Caravan Park!
You can find Australian Water Dragons along the east coast of Australia, from Victoria northwards to Queensland. They are semi-aquatic and are always found near creeks, rivers, lakes, and other water bodies that offer basking sites like overhanging branches or rocks
Animal of the Day 188 July 8
The Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) has a very striking and unusual coloration for a raptor. The crisp white head and breast sharply contrasts with a rich chestnut or reddish-brown body and wings, often with black wingtips. This distinct pattern makes it easily identifiable even from a distance. They are primarily found in coastal areas, estuaries, mangrove swamps, and inland wetlands and it is thought that the dark reddish-brown plumage helps them blend in with the muddy, often tannin-stained waters, and the reddish-brown bark of mangrove trees or other coastal vegetation.
Brahminy Kites are opportunistic feeders, largely scavenging for dead fish, crabs, and other carrion floating on the water's surface or washed ashore. They also snatch live prey (fish, insects, small reptiles, even bats) from the water or land surface. Their strong contrast might make them less visible to prey looking up from the water, or perhaps more visible to other scavengers (or even other kites) that they might want to avoid or displace.
Animal of the Day 187 July 7
The Southern Angle-headed Dragon (Lophosaurus spinipes) is aptly named with a striking large, angular head, often with a pronounced bony brow above the eyes. They have a range of colouring from grey, greenish, and rich brown above, with various irregular mottling, blotches, or variegations that provide excellent camouflage in its forest habitat. Some individuals may have dark flecks, spots, or faint dark bands. Females tend to be more mosaicked in browns and greens, while males are often a more uniform grey-brown to dark-brown.
Primarily tree-dwellers, they spend most of their time perched on tree trunks, branches, or buttress roots. They rely heavily on their excellent camouflage and stillness to avoid detection. When disturbed, they often don't dash away but rather slowly move around the trunk to stay out of sight. Unlike many other Australian dragons that bask extensively in open sun, Angle-headed Dragons are adapted to cooler, shadier rainforest environments. As they are active during the day, they can be found within their range if you are prepared to walk and stare at lots of tree trunks!
Animal of the Day 186 July 6
Bridled Terns (Onychoprion anaethetus) are primarily pelagic seabirds, only coming to land for breeding. As ground-nesting birds, they lay a single egg in a scrape, often under the cover of vegetation or in rocky crevices. To protect their eggs and chicks from terrestrial predators like foxes, cats, and even large birds of prey, they require isolated, predator-free offshore islands, coral cays, and rocky stacks.
They breed in colonies, which offers some collective protection, but this strategy is most effective on islands where the risks are primarily from aerial predators, or where ground predators are absent. I have seen them on Penguin Island in Rockingham, Western Australia. This was a great place to get close to them and see them nesting and in flight. A bonus of baby pelicans was terrific.
Animal of the Day 185 July 5
The Dingo (Canis dingo) is genetically related to domestic dogs, and their physical similarity is possibly the biggest danger to them. We have all read the stories. I once read a ranger notice stating ‘A fed Dingo is a dead Dingo’. At a Northern Territory caravan park it was common for them to patrol the area looking for food. I once had to chase one to get it to drop a food container. It was quite disheartening.
As totally wild canids, Dingoes have broader heads and longer muzzles than most domestic dogs, with larger, sharper teeth that are evenly spread. Their jaws can also open incredibly wide. They have more flexible joints, especially in their wrists, making them highly agile and capable of digging and climbing. Dingoes are primarily crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) or nocturnal, fitting their wild hunting patterns. Dingoes are apex predators in the Australian ecosystem and hunt for survival, often in packs or individually. They play a role in regulating populations of native and introduced animals. Dingoes have a naturally high prey drive, an essential trait for a wild predator. All good reasons to admire them from afar!
Animal of the Day 184 July 4
The Bourke's Parrot (Neopsephotus bourkii, formerly Neophema bourkii) is a small, shy but distinctive Australian parrot. Their colouring is a combination of dusty brown, soft pink and sky blue. The white area around their eyes gives them a spectacled look. These soft colours provide excellent camouflage in their natural sandy environment.
These lovely parrots are known for their quiet and gentle nature and are easily overlooked or mistaken for a dove. They are crepuscular, which has earned them nicknames like Sunset Parrot. They are found in the arid and semi-arid inland regions of central and southern Australia. As nomadic birds, moving across open mulga and acacia scrublands, native cypress, and other open eucalypt woodlands, they can be difficult to find.
I have found them a few times in the Cunnamulla region of Queensland, with some stealth and quiet. A long lens helped as well!
Animal of the Day 183 July 3
The Whiptail Wallaby (Notamacropus parryi) is a very attractive animal and I prefer the alternative name of Pretty-faced Wallaby. They have a distinct range in eastern Australia from Cooktown in Queensland in the north, stretching south to near Grafton in northern New South Wales.
They are apparently common within their range but I have found them difficult to find, only seeing them a couple of times in the hills around Dorrigo National Park in NSW. Their informal name is very apt as they are seriously cute but they are also shy and I only could photograph them from a vehicle.
Animal of the Day 182 July 2
The Rainbow Pitta (Pitta iris) is endemic to northern Australia, found in the Top End and coastal Kimberley region. They typically inhabit monsoon forests, along with adjacent vine-scrub, gallery forests, and sometimes eucalypt forests, bamboo forests, paperbark forests, and the edges of mangrove forests. They prefer closed forests but can occasionally be found in more open areas and even urban lawns.
I found a pair of birds in the rainforest around the infamous Cahills Crossing and watched them as they flitted about in the gloom while singing. They are locally common and this is a known hotspot for them. Passing tourists watching crocodiles were fascinated as they asked what it was.
Animal of the Day 181 July 1
The Coppery Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus johnstonii) is a fabulous subspecies known for that brilliant colouring. Their range is restricted to the Atherton Tablelands area of Queensland. They inhabit rainforest ecosystems, typically living within the tree canopy. Despite their limited distribution, they are locally common within this specific region. There are a few very reliable spots to find them and they are just wonderful to see. Females tend to be less red than the males, giving a range of shades amongst families.
It is so worth looking for them if you are in the area, particularly as they can be seen in the same areas as Tree Kangaroo.