June

Animal of the Day 181 June 30

The Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii) is a distinctive and charismatic bird. It is a large kingfisher with a robust body, a big square head, and a long, heavy bill. It has striking pale, almost white, eyes. Its head is off-white with fine brown streaks. The most prominent features are its sky blue shoulders and a uniform blue rump. The back is mid-brown, while the throat is plain white, and the underparts are white with faint, scalloped orange-brown bars.

A key sexual dimorphism is observed in the tail:

Males have a dark blue tail.

Females have a red-brown or blackish barred tail.

Its call is a loud, maniacal cackle that can develop into trills and often ends abruptly, along with a variety of barks and hoarse screeches. They often call in groups from a high perch.

They are generally sedentary, with only local seasonal movements. While they share some habitat with the Laughing Kookaburra in parts of Queensland, they are distinct species with different distributions and vocalizations.

Animal of the Day 180 June 29

The Black-footed Rock-Wallaby (Petrogale lateralis), also commonly known as the Black-flanked Rock-Wallaby or by the Indigenous name "warru," is a shy, nocturnal marsupial specially adapted to life in rocky environments across Australia.

Key distinguishing features include the darker feet and flanks. The face is often marked by a sandy or pale buff cheek stripe and a darker stripe running between the nose and eye. The ears are typically dark brown near the tip, fading to fawn at the base. A variably developed dark brown to black stripe can be seen running along the midline of the head, from between the eyes and ears, down the neck, and onto the upper back.

The Black-footed Rock-Wallaby has a highly fragmented distribution across central and western Australia, a significant reduction from its historical range. It is largely restricted to areas with suitable rocky refuges, which provide shelter from predators and the harsh climate.

Animal of the Day 179 June 28

The Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis) is a distinctive Australian diving duck known for its unique appearance and aquatic lifestyle. It is one of only two stiff-tailed duck species found in Australia (the other being the Musk Duck).

During the breeding season, the male is striking. It has a glossy black head and upper neck, and a rich, deep chestnut plumage covering the body and wings. Its most prominent feature is a large, scooped, bright, light blue bill, which gives the species its name. The tail is dark with stiff, pointed feather tips, usually held flat on the water but can be held erect during courtship displays.

Blue-billed Ducks are excellent divers, using their powerful feet to propel themselves underwater where they feed on seeds, buds, stems, leaves, fruit, and small aquatic insects like midge, caddisfly, and dragonfly larvae. They can remain submerged for up to 30 seconds and dive to depths of 3 metres.

Animal of the Day 178 June 27

The Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) is native to Australia and known for its distinctive appearance and adaptable nature. They are stout, medium-sized lizards that can reach up to 60 cm in length, with their whip-like tail making up roughly half of their total body length. They have a flattened body, a broad, triangular head, and short, robust legs with clawed digits, making them excellent climbers and runners.

Their most striking feature is the beard, an expandable flap of skin under their chin covered in spiny projections. Both males and females possess this beard, which they can inflate and darken (often turning black) when threatened, agitated, or during courtship displays, making them appear larger and more intimidating to predators or rivals. Their bodies are covered in an assortment of specialized, spiky scales. A row of sharp spikes runs along their flanks and tail, and spiky scales are also prominent around their ear holes and on their upper forelimbs. An orbital crest rises from behind each eye and converges at the tip of the snout.

Their coloration varies greatly and helps them camouflage with their surroundings. They are predominantly grey, but can also be found in shades of reddish-brown, orange, fawn, yellow, or even black, often with blotches or patterns from nape to hips. They have a limited ability to change their colour, becoming brighter to cool off and darker to warm up. Their undersides are typically pale to dark grey with elongated white spots.

Animal of the Day 177 June 26

The Naretha Bluebonnet (Northiella narethae) is a distinctive parrot found in a remote and arid part of Australia. It was once considered a subspecies of the Greater Bluebonnet (Northiella haematogaster) but has since been reclassified as a full species due to genetic and morphological differences. 

This stunning parrot has a very restricted range, primarily found in a narrow zone of arid and semi-arid vegetation bordering the Nullarbor Plain, extending from southeastern Western Australia west to southwestern South Australia. Their preferred habitat consists of dry areas with Desert Sheoak (Allocasuarina cristata), Mulga (Acacia species), Bluebush and Saltbush

Occasionally, open woodland with belar or sugarwood.

They are often observed more readily in areas where artificial water sources, such as stock troughs, are present. While they inhabit a remote region, their population is thought to be decreasing, partly due to trapping for the aviculture trade. They are known to move seasonally with rainfall and are typically seen in pairs or small groups of up to 20 birds and feed both on the ground and in trees.

Animal of the Day 176 June 25

The Common Wallaroo (Osphranter robustus) is a medium-sized Australian marsupial, closely related to both kangaroos and wallabies. The name wallaroo itself is thought to be a combination of wallaby and kangaroo, reflecting its intermediate size and characteristics. They are generally stocky with coarse, shaggy fur. Their color can vary from reddish-brown to dark blue-grey, almost black, with lighter underparts. They have a hairless nose, a short, thick tail, and a distinctive upright hopping style. Males are typically much larger than females, sometimes twice the size. Their shorter limbs and broad hind feet with roughened soles are adaptations for navigating the rocky terrain they often inhabit.

Wallaroos are widely distributed throughout most of Australia, excluding Tasmania. They are often referred to as ‘hill kangaroos’ because they primarily inhabit mountainous areas, rocky hills, and steep escarpments. However, they can also be found in stony rises, grasslands, and plains. They are well-adapted to arid environments, often sheltering in caves and rock formations during the hottest parts of the day and foraging in the evenings.

Animal of the Day 175 June 24

The Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops) is a small, dainty wader bird, easily recognized by its distinctive markings and active foraging style. Its most striking features are the prominent black face mask and a distinctive V-shaped black band across its white breast. These black markings contrast sharply with its otherwise white underparts. The upper parts are mottled brown, providing excellent camouflage against its preferred habitat. Its eyes are dark, encircled by a vivid red eye-ring, and the bill is red with a black tip. The legs are a soft pinkish-orange. Juveniles are initially duller, lacking the prominent black breast band and forehead, but develop these markings as they mature. In flight, their wings appear broad and the tail short, with a striking black and white contrast. Their flight is often described as slow with almost hesitant wing beats.

When foraging, the Black-fronted Dotterel holds its body horizontally, running in short bursts and then stopping suddenly to bob its head and peck at food items. Its call is a sharp, high-pitched tip note, often singular or repeated a few times.

Animal of the Day 174 June 23

The Slater's Ring-tailed Dragon (Ctenophorus slateri) is an attractive species of agamid lizard, well-adapted to the arid landscapes of central Australia. It was formerly considered a subspecies of Ctenophorus caudicinctus but has since been recognized as its own distinct species.

A small to medium-sized lizard, its body colouration is generally a blend of browns, greys, and reddish hues, providing excellent camouflage against its rocky and sandy habitat. Its most distinctive feature, and the origin of its common name, is the striking ringed pattern on its tail. This banding not only aids in camouflage but can also be a form of communication. The lizard also has a white to yellow underbelly. Males often display brighter colours than females, especially during mating season, to attract mates. The overall colour can also be influenced by the lizard's age, the season, and its body temperature.

This diurnal (day-active) lizard thrives in rocky ranges and outcrops, spinifex grasslands, and sandy deserts. It is a saxicolous species, meaning it is well-adapted to living among rocks. It uses rock crevices and sheltered areas as ambush points for prey and as refuge from predators and extreme weather. As it does not dig burrows, it relies on natural rock formations for shelter.

Animal of the Day 173 June 22

The Adelaide Rosella (Platycercus elegans adelaidae) is not a distinct species itself, but rather a naturally occurring hybrid form or subspecies of the Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans). It's a fascinating example of how different colour forms of a species can interbreed where their ranges overlap, creating a unique intermediate plumage. 

The Adelaide's plumage is a blend of the crimson (red) and yellow forms of the Crimson Rosella. This results in a highly variable colour range, from yellow with a reddish wash to dark orange. Typically, they have an orange-red fore-crown and belly, with the rest of their body showing a mix of yellow, orange, and red, often with black scalloping on the back and wing coverts. A consistent feature, characteristic of the Crimson Rosella group, is their bright blue cheek patches. Their wings have broad blue edges, and the tail is blue above and pale blue below. Juveniles are generally duller, with more olive-green or yellowish-olive body plumage, gradually developing adult colouration over about 15 months. Males tend to be slightly larger with broader heads and beaks.

Animal of the Day 172 June 21

Australia is home to the world's largest population of feral camels, specifically the Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius), also known as the Arabian camel or one-humped camel. These are not native to Australia but were introduced in the 19th century. They are incredibly well-adapted to arid environments. Their single hump is composed of fatty tissue, which serves as an energy reserve, making up to 20% of their body weight. Their long legs and neck allow them to browse on vegetation higher off the ground than many other herbivores. They can go for extended periods without water, and when they do drink, they can rapidly rehydrate. Their body temperature can fluctuate significantly (up to 3°C before they start sweating), and they conserve water by producing concentrated urine. They have tough skin to withstand thorns and spinifex, and padded feet adapted for movement on sand and stony plains, also insulating them from hot ground.

Feral camels are spread throughout the arid interior of Australia, covering an immense area of approximately 3.3 million square kilometres (about 37% of the Australian mainland). The highest densities of camels are often found in the Simpson Desert and the Great Sandy Desert. They tend to inhabit desert country and semi-desert lands, including sandy ridge-dunes.

Camels were first imported to Australia in the 1840s, primarily from India and the Canary Islands, to be used as beasts of burden for exploration, transport, and infrastructure development in the arid interior (e.g., laying telegraph lines and building railways). By the early 20th century, with the advent of motor vehicles, many camels were no longer needed and were released into the wild.

Without natural predators in Australia, their population has boomed. Estimates of the current feral camel population vary but are generally around 300,000 to over one million animals. This makes Australia home to the world's largest wild camel population. While historically invaluable, these large feral populations are now considered a significant pest due to their negative environmental impacts.

Animal of the Day 171 June 20

The Black-eared Cuckoo (Chalcites osculans) is a medium-small bronze cuckoo known for its somewhat drab appearance compared to other bronze cuckoos. They are generally quiet, but during the breeding season, the male's call is a distinctive, mournful, descending low whistle, often described as ‘feeeuw’ or ‘pee-o-weer’. It can be a single or repeated call. Like all Australian cuckoos (except the Pheasant Coucal), the Black-eared Cuckoo is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of other bird species, relying on the host parents to raise its young. It preferentially targets dome-shaped nests of small insectivorous birds like the Speckled Warbler and Redthroat. The cuckoo's eggs are often dark brown and cleverly mimic the host's eggs, making them difficult for the host to detect.

The Black-eared Cuckoo is widely distributed across the Australian mainland, but it typically avoids the wet, heavily forested areas on the east coast and the southwest corner of Western Australia. It is more commonly found in drier country, particularly in open woodlands and open shrublands.

Animal of the Day 170 June 19

The Little Red Flying Fox (Pteropus scapulatus) is the smallest of Australia's mainland flying fox species, known for its highly nomadic lifestyle and crucial role as a pollinator. As its name suggests, the Little Red Flying Fox is characterized by its reddish-brown to light brown fur, though some individuals in the Northern Territory can appear almost black. They often have patches of light cream-brown fur where their wings meet their shoulders, and their heads are typically greyish. A distinctive feature is their pale, somewhat translucent wings, which can be seen when they are flying during the day. This translucency helps distinguish them from other flying fox species.

They are relatively small for a flying fox, weighing between 200-600 grams, with a head and body length of around 12.5 to 20 cm. Their wingspan can be over one metre. Unlike other flying foxes that tend to roost at arm's length apart, Little Reds are known to clump together very closely in their camps, with dozens of individuals hanging on a single branch. This can sometimes lead to branch breakage due to their combined weight.

Animal of the Day 169 June 18

The Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis) is a slender, long-tailed songbird that constantly bobs its tail up and down, a characteristic behaviour of wagtails. It's a highly migratory species, breeding in the eastern Palearctic and Alaska, and then undertaking long-distance migrations to its wintering grounds.

The Eastern Yellow Wagtail is a non-breeding visitor to Australia, arriving during the Southern Hemisphere summer (typically from October to March) after breeding in the northern parts of its range. It is considered a rare vagrant to the continent from the north. Its distribution in Australia is primarily along the northern and eastern coasts, though scattered records exist further south and even inland. They forage on the ground, walking and running in pursuit of insects.

In Australia, they are usually found in open, wet habitats near water, such as:

Wet meadows

Coastal grasslands

Swamps

Lagoons

Estuaries

Settlement ponds in sewage treatment plants

Animal of the Day 168 June 17

The Australian Green Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea) is also widely known as White's Tree Frog or the Dumpy Tree Frog. It's one of Australia's most iconic and well-recognized frog species. It is a large, robust frog, with females typically reaching up to 11.5 cm in body length, and males slightly smaller. Its most striking feature is its vibrant colour, which is usually a bright emerald green, though it can sometimes vary to a blue-green or even a dark olive green, depending on temperature, humidity, and lighting. Some individuals may have scattered small white or gold spots on their back or sides.

The eyes are large with a horizontal pupil and a distinctive golden iris. The skin is smooth and somewhat waxy, helping them to retain moisture in drier conditions. They have a noticeable fatty ridge over their eyes, contributing to their dumpy appearance. Significantly, the Australian Green Tree Frog is well-known for its close association with human habitation. They often take shelter in rainwater pipes, downpipes, gutters, water tanks, sinks and toilets and suburban gardens and backyards.

They are nocturnal, spending their days in cool, dark, and moist places like tree hollows or crevices, emerging at night to hunt for insects and other small prey. They are not considered a rainforest species but thrive in areas with regular rainfall.

Animal of the Day 167 June 16

The Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis) is a somewhat elusive and secretive bird, often difficult to spot due to its preference for dense vegetation. It is a fairly large bittern, making it the largest in its genus. Adults are typically a uniform, glossy black on their upperparts (back, wings, and head), contrasting with a whitish underside that is heavily streaked with brown. A notable feature is the yellow colouration on the sides of its neck. It has a relatively long neck and a long, sharp yellow bill. Juveniles resemble adults but are dark brown rather than black. When in flight, the all-black upperparts make it quite distinctive.

Like other bitterns, it employs a characteristic bittern posture when disturbed: it freezes, stretching tall with its bill pointing upwards, effectively blending in with the vertical stems of reeds and other dense vegetation. It also has a distinctive, deep "cooing" call, often described as a monotonous ‘orrk-orrk-orrk’.

The Black Bittern has a wide distribution in Australia, primarily inhabiting both terrestrial and estuarine wetlands with permanent water and dense vegetation. It is largely sedentary throughout the year in Australia, meaning it generally doesn't undertake long-distance migrations within the continent. It often forages at dusk and at night, predominantly feeding on fish, amphibians, reptiles, and various invertebrates.

Animal of the Day 166 June 15

The Rough-scaled Snake (Tropidechiscarinatus carinatus) is a highly venomous elapid snake found along the eastern coast of Australia. They are olive to dark brown, often with narrow, irregular dark transverse blotches or stripes, particularly on the front part of the body (these may be less distinct in older snakes). Their underside (ventral surface) can be cream, yellow, or olive, often with darker blotches.

As their name suggests, a key distinguishing feature is their scales. They are quite long and thin, strongly keeled (meaning they have a raised ridge down the center), and have a matte, rough texture.  They have a large head that is distinct from their body. The head is glossy, unpatterned, and usually slightly darker than the body. Their eyes are large and tan brown with round pupils.

The Rough-scaled Snake has a unique and fragmented distribution, occurring in two widely separated regions along Australia's east coast in Northern Queensland and Southeastern Queensland and Northeastern New South Wales.

Animal of the Day 165 June 14

The Bassian Thrush (Zoothera lunulata) is a secretive and well-camouflaged bird, perfectly adapted to its forest floor habitat. Its plumage is a mottled pattern of brown to olive-brown, heavily scalloped with black crescent-shaped bars on its back, rump, and head. This distinctive scaly pattern helps it blend in seamlessly with the leaf litter. Its underparts are paler but also feature the characteristic brown-black scalloping. It has a noticeable white eye-ring around its dark brown eyes. In flight, a broad, dark diagonal bar can be seen across the white underside of its wing.

The Bassian Thrush is primarily insectivorous, foraging on the ground by scratching and probing under leaf litter for small invertebrates, particularly earthworms and beetles. It is often described as shy and reclusive, tending to run a short distance and then freeze if disturbed, relying on its camouflage. Its song, mainly heard at dawn or in dull weather, consists of three notes: the first steady, the second rising briefly, and the third steady, sometimes described as melodious whistles.

Animal of the Day 164 June 13

The Flame-backed Fiddler Crab (Tubuca flammula), sometimes also known as the Darwin red-legs, is a striking and relatively small species of fiddler crab. This harmless crab can grow up to a carapace width of about 3.5 cm. It is easily recognized by its distinctive colouration. A primarily black carapace, often has two subtle white or pinkish parallel marks running front to back near the centre. It also features a solid bright red band across the front of the carapace, just behind the eyes, which gives it its flame-backed name. The claws are brilliant orange-red. In males, one claw is significantly larger than the other, a characteristic of fiddler crabs, which they use in elaborate courtship displays and territorial combat. Females have two equal-sized, smaller claws.

Like other fiddler crabs, the Flame-backed Fiddler Crab is a detritivore, meaning it feeds by sifting through sediment to extract organic matter. They have a relatively short lifespan, living no more than two years. They can be found in the north and northwest of Australia. Its preferred habitat consists of sand or sandy mud flats, and it is frequently found at the edge of mangrove forests in these intertidal environments.

Animal of the Day 163 June 12

The Barking Owl (Ninox connivens) is a medium-sized, robust hawk-owl, named for its distinctive calls that resemble a barking dog. It's an imposing nocturnal bird with a captivating presence. They are identified by their grey-brown plumage on their upper parts, adorned with white spots on the wings. Their underparts are whitish and heavily streaked with grey-brown. They possess a broad, almost entirely grey-brown head, and striking large, staring yellow eyes. Unlike the Tyto owls (like the Barn Owl), hawk-owls like the Barking Owl lack a distinct heart-shaped facial disc. 

While their primary call is a two-note, dog-like wook-wook, they are also famously known for a much louder, wavering, human-like scream, which has earned them the alternative name screaming woman bird. These calls are often heard at dusk and dawn, with pairs sometimes engaging in yapping choruses.

Their diet is quite broad, making them generalist predators. They hunt a variety of small to medium-sized mammals (like gliders, possums, bats, mice, and rabbits), birds (including other nocturnal birds like Tawny Frogmouths, and even cockatoos and ducks), reptiles, and insects. They often hunt from an exposed perch in clearings, including near waterways, and are sometimes seen hunting in daylight.

Animal of the Day 162 June 11

The Giant Grasshopper (Valanga irregularis) is Australia's largest grasshopper, known for its impressive size and variable appearance. They can grow quite large, with females typically reaching 60 to 75 mm in length, and some reports indicating up to 90 mm. Males are smaller, usually around 45 to 55 mm. Their colouration is highly variable, hence the species name irregularis, ranging from creamy brown to grey, and often with mottling or small dark spots.

In contrast to some other large Orthoptera (like katydids), grasshoppers have relatively short antennae. The enlarged hind legs are powerfully built for jumping. A distinctive spur or peg is present on their throat, between their forelegs. The spines on their hind leg tibia (the lower part of the leg) are orange to red with black tips. This helps distinguish them from other similar-looking grasshoppers. Their forewings are often mottled or spotty, and the hindwings are typically smoky grey, though they can also be colourless or light green.

Giant Grasshoppers are typically solitary and do not form swarms like some locust species. They are herbivores, feeding on a wide range of shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants, including various garden plants like hibiscus, coffee, and citrus. They often feed at night and can be found basking in the sun during the day, moving into shade during the hottest periods.

The Giant Grasshopper is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Australia. Its distribution extends throughout Australia from approximately Sydney northwards. 

Animal of the Day 161 June 10

The Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) is a remarkable migratory shorebird, famous for undertaking some of the longest non-stop flights of any animal. These elegant waders are a common sight on Australia's coastlines during the non-breeding season. They are a large wader with a long, slightly upturned bill that is pinkish at the base and dark towards the tip. Its legs are long and dark grey. Females are generally larger than males and have a longer bill.

In their non-breeding plumage, which is what you'll typically see in Australia, they are primarily mottled brown above and lighter, more uniform buff below. They have dull white underwings, and as their name suggests, their white tail is distinctly barred with brown. They also feature a streaked brown forehead, crown, and nape, with a dark line extending from the bill through the eye, bordered above by a whitish eyebrow.

Bar-tailed Godwits arrive each year from their Arctic breeding grounds in the Northern Hemisphere (Scandinavia, northern Asia, and Alaska), typically in August and September and depart again in March and April to return north for breeding. While most adults leave, some younger birds may remain in Australia year-round.

Animal of the Day 160 June 9

The Australian Land Hermit Crab (Coenobita variabilis) is a terrestrial hermit crab species, meaning it lives primarily on land and only returns to the sea for breeding. They are a robust species, with a carapace (the hard upper shell of their body, not the snail shell they inhabit) reaching up to about 40 mm in length. Their colour can vary considerably, from a pale sandy hue to reddish-brown, or even light brown with darker markings.

Key distinguishing features include:

Two dark ovals on the front of their head.

Long eyestalks that are typically the same colour as their body.

Hairy claws with dark vertical stripes.

Legs covered in dark brown spots.

A relatively short and fat abdomen, which they tuck into their borrowed shell.

Like all hermit crabs, they don't grow their own hard shell to protect their soft abdomen. Instead, they utilize discarded gastropod shells (like those from snails). As they grow, they need to find larger shells, leading to occasional shell fights if suitable options are scarce. They are nocturnal, generally more active at night, and are known to be gregarious, preferring to live in colonies. They are endemic to the northern parts of Australia.

Animal of the Day 159 June 8

The Banded Honeyeater (Cissomela pectoralis) is characterized by its distinctive black and white plumage, giving it a pied appearance. It has a black back, tail, and head, which contrasts sharply with its white underparts. The most prominent feature, giving the bird its name, is a narrow black band that spans horizontally across its white chest. It possesses a relatively long, slightly down-curved black bill, which is typical for nectar-feeding birds, and long legs.

The Banded Honeyeater is a nectarivore, primarily feeding on the nectar of flowering trees, particularly eucalypts, paperbarks (Melaleuca), and Grevilleas, as well as other open flowers and Bauhinia species. They also supplement their diet with insects. They are generally seen in pairs or small groups, but can form larger aggregations when there is an abundance of blossom. They are considered blossom nomads, meaning they follow seasonal flowering patterns across their range.

The Banded Honeyeater is endemic to tropical northern Australia. Its distribution covers the entire northern part of the continent, specifically the Kimberleys, the Top End, the south coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, extending to just westward of Cairns.

Animal of the Day 158 June 7

The Centralian Lashtail Dragon (Amphibolurus centralis) is a species of agamid lizard endemic to Australia. As a lashtail, it belongs to a group of lizards known for their relatively long, slender tails. Like other Amphibolurus species, it is a moderate-sized lizard, with a snout-vent length typically ranging from 8.4 to 13.5 cm. They have long limbs and a long tail, which helps them with their semi-arboreal lifestyle.

The Centralian Lashtail Dragon often displays a pattern that includes three broad pale dorsal stripes and some blotches on a usually brown ground colouration. It can also have one to five crests consisting of enlarged, sometimes spinose (spiny) scales, including one nuchal (neck) and vertebral crest, and sometimes one or two dorsal crests on each side. Its tympanum (eardrum) is exposed.

These lizards are generally swift and shy. When disturbed, they have the remarkable ability to engage in bipedal running, quickly darting away on their hind legs. The Centralian Lashtail Dragon is found in central Australia, specifically in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland. They are semi-arboreal, meaning they spend time both on the ground and in trees, and are often seen perching on tree trunks and branches.

Animal of the Day 157 June 6

The Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella) is a distinctive and elegant bird known for its dual nature: on the ground, it behaves like a plover, running swiftly on long legs to catch insects, while in flight, it resembles a tern, soaring gracefully with long, narrow wings. This medium-sized, slim-bodied bird typically measures between 19 cm and 24 cm in length. It has an upright, elegant posture. Its general plumage is a sandy-olive to sandy brown, with very long, narrow, pointed black wings. A striking feature is the deep chestnut brown and black patch on its flanks.

During the breeding season, the Australian Pratincole becomes more vibrant as the base and gape of its bill turn bright red. Its legs and feet are dark grey, brownish, or dark red. Outside the breeding season, its plumage is duller, the bill is mostly black, and it may show blackish spotting on the throat and smaller flank marks. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but are paler with streaked foreheads and lack the black lores (area between the eye and bill).

The Australian Pratincole is primarily found in open inland plains, sparsely wooded plains, and tussock grasslands, typically in arid and semi-arid rainfall zones, mainly in the lowlands. It's often found close to water, including areas of gibber (stony plains), claypans, stock-tanks, stock routes, and airfields.

Animal of the Day 156 June 5

The Badge Huntsman Spider refers to spiders in the genus Neosparassus. They are a distinctive group of huntsman spiders known for a particular marking on their underside. They  are large, long-legged spiders, typically fawn or grey on their upper (dorsal) surface. Their common name comes from a distinctive, often brightly coloured "badge" or shield found on the underside of their abdomen. This badge can feature combinations of black, white, orange, or yellow. They also often have colour bands on the underside of their front legs.

While many huntsman spiders have very flattened bodies adapted for living under loose bark, Badge Huntsman Spiders (genus Neosparassus) have slightly less flattened bodies. Like other huntsmans, their leg joints are twisted, allowing them to spread their legs out forwards and laterally in a crab-like fashion, enabling very quick movement in any direction. Some juvenile Neosparassus species can be bright green, with this colour sometimes persisting into adulthood in certain undescribed species.

When threatened, Badge Huntsman Spiders may display their bright underside as a threat display, often flipping onto their backs. They are nocturnal hunters, feeding on insects and other invertebrates. Females are known to construct silken retreats, sometimes binding leaves together, or building shallow burrows where they lay and guard their flat, silken egg sacs.

Animal of the Day 155 June 4

The Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus) is a small, stocky waterbird that is a common sight on many Australian wetlands. The appearance of the Hoary-headed Grebe varies depending on the breeding season. During breeding is where the hoary-headed name comes from. Adults develop distinctive silvery-white streaking over their entire black head, giving it a somewhat hairy or frosted appearance. They also have an inconspicuous brown iris and a square black chin patch. A narrow black streak runs down the nape of the neck. The upper parts are darkish grey and brown, while the underparts are creamy white to dull buff. Outside the breeding season, the striking head streaking is much reduced. The head becomes more uniformly dark, often with a dark cap extending below the eye, contrasting with paler cheeks and neck. They can be confused with the Australasian Grebe in non-breeding plumage, but the Hoary-headed Grebe generally has a darker crown that extends lower on the face and lacks the prominent yellow eye of the Australasian Grebe.

Hoary-headed Grebes are excellent divers, using their specialized lobed feet for propulsion underwater to catch their prey. They are generally silent birds, except for soft calls during the breeding season. They are endemic to Australia and are found in all states and territories, including Tasmania. While widespread, it is generally absent from the central arid regions of the continent, where permanent water sources are scarce.

Animal of the Day 154 June 3

The Common Crow butterfly (Euploea core) is a very familiar and widespread butterfly species found across a broad range of habitats. It belongs to the 'milkweed butterfly' subfamily Danainae, which also includes the famous Monarch butterfly. It is a medium to large butterfly with a wingspan typically ranging from 8 to 9 cm. Both the forewings and hindwings are a uniform, glossy, deep blackish-brown to dark brown, giving it a somewhat sombre, crow-like appearance, hence its common name. The wings are edged with a series of small white spots. On the forewing, there are typically two rows of these spots, one along the outer margin and another, often more irregular, submarginal row. The hindwing usually has a single, more even row of white spots along the outer margin. These spots are often slightly larger on the hindwings. The body is dark brown to black, with prominent white spots on the head, thorax, and abdomen, particularly visible on the underside.

Like other milkweed butterflies, the Common Crow's caterpillars feed on various species of milkweed plants (family Apocynaceae, including genera like Asclepias and Parsonsia). These plants contain toxic cardiac glycosides, which the caterpillars sequester in their bodies. This makes both the caterpillars and the adult butterflies unpalatable to predators, acting as a chemical defence mechanism. Their dark colouration serves as a warning signal (aposematism) to potential predators, indicating their toxicity.

Animal of the Day 153 June 2

The Atherton Scrubwren (Sericornis keri) is a small, unobtrusive bird endemic to the Wet Tropics of northeastern Queensland, Australia. It is a relatively small bird, typically measuring 13-14 cm in length. It has a plain, brownish appearance that can make it difficult to distinguish from similar species, particularly the Large-billed Scrubwren (Sericornis magnirostra).

Unlike the Large-billed Scrubwren which is more arboreal, the Atherton Scrubwren tends to feed on the ground or a few meters above, foraging in the rainforest litter and low vegetation for insects and snails. It is usually found in pairs or small groups and is generally quiet and unobtrusive. The Atherton Scrubwren is only in a specific region of Australia: the Atherton Tablelands and surrounding mountainous rainforests of north-eastern Queensland. More precisely, its range is restricted to the tablelands and occasionally lower-altitude near-coastal areas from just northward of Townsville to Cape Tribulation. It is primarily found in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests (especially at elevations typically above 600m, occasionally down to 400m). It is a bird of the highland rainforests within the Wet Tropics of Queensland, often found in the understory where it forages on or close to the ground. Due to its restricted range and specialized habitat, it is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

Animal of the Day 152 June 1

The Giant Mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri) is an extraordinary fish that has evolved remarkable adaptations for an amphibious lifestyle, allowing it to live both in and out of water. As its name suggests, the Giant Mudskipper is one of the largest species of mudskippers, capable of reaching lengths of up to 27 centimetres. It has a robust body and prominent, independently moving eyes positioned on top of its head, providing it with excellent vision both in water and on land. Its colour typically ranges from muddy brown to grey, often with a distinctive dark stripe running laterally from its eye to its posterior. Some individuals may also exhibit additional dark bars across their back, particularly at night.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Giant Mudskipper is its specialized anatomy for terrestrial life. Its strong, muscular pectoral fins act like crutches, enabling it to walk or skip across muddy surfaces. It can also use its tail for propulsion, allowing it to make impressive jumps. Its restricted gill openings and an extra flap of skin on its gill cover help to retain moisture, allowing it to breathe through its skin and the lining of its mouth and throat when out of water. They even have specialized gill structures that prevent the gill lamellae from collapsing when exposed to air, ensuring efficient oxygen absorption.

The Giant Mudskipper is a highly terrestrial and carnivorous predator, feeding on invertebrates like small crabs, prawns, worms, and insects. It has even been observed preying on smaller mudskipper species and even small snakes.