August

Animal of the Day 243 Aug 31

The Speckled Warbler is a small, ground-dwelling bird endemic to eastern Australia. Its name comes from its distinct plumage: a brown crown streaked with buff and pale underparts that are heavily streaked with black, giving it a speckled appearance. It has a characteristic off-white face with a prominent dark eye. The male can be identified by a black line above its white eyebrow, while the female has a rufous one. They are known for their musical, trilled warbling song.

They are found in dry, open eucalypt woodlands and forests with a grassy understorey. It prefers areas with scattered native tussock grasses, leaf litter, and a sparse shrub layer, often on rocky ridges and in gullies. While they are sedentary, their population is pretty patchy. All of this means they are difficult to spot.

Animal of the Day 242 Aug 30

The Northern Brown Bandicoot is a small, solitary marsupial native to Australia. About the size of a rabbit, it has a long, pointed snout, short, rounded ears, and a speckled coat that is a mix of brown, black, and tan. It is a nocturnal omnivore, using its sensitive nose to sniff out insects, grubs, and fungi in the soil. Its foraging is characterized by leaving behind a series of small, conical snout pokes in the ground.

In Australia, the Northern Brown Bandicoot's range is extensive but primarily concentrated in the coastal regions of the country's north and east. As a nocturnal animal, the best time to see a Northern Brown Bandicoot is after dusk, when it emerges from its nest—a shallow hole lined with leaf litter—to forage. They are often active in areas with dense vegetation but will venture into more open spaces like lawns and gardens, especially in suburban areas that border natural bushland.

Animal of the Day 241 Aug 29

The Wilson's Storm Petrel is a tiny but hardy seabird known for its remarkable endurance and expansive migratory range. It has a sooty-brown or blackish plumage with a distinctive, bright white rump patch and a pale band on its upper wing. Its most unique feature, which can be seen up close, is the bright yellow webbing between its toes. The bird has a distinctive flight style, appearing to walk on water as it hovers and patters its feet on the surface while picking tiny crustaceans and plankton from the ocean.

In Australia, the Wilson's Storm Petrel is a non-breeding visitor. It breeds on the Antarctic continent and subantarctic islands during the Southern Hemisphere's summer. Once breeding season is over, it undertakes a massive migration, with many birds heading north into the oceans of the Northern Hemisphere. However, a significant number remain in the Southern Hemisphere.

Whenever I have seen them on a pelagic, they are whizzing past the boat (usually at a distance) which makes photography very difficult. Still on the to do list!

Animal of the Day 240 Aug 28

The Orange-thighed Tree Frog is a slender, medium-sized tree frog known for its vibrant colours. It has a bright lime-green or olive-green back, a pale belly, and distinctive bright orange eyes. Its most notable feature, and the one that gives it its name, is the brilliant orange colouration on the backs of its thighs and inner legs, which differentiates it from its close relatives.

This frog is found in a very specific and limited area of tropical northern Queensland, Australia. Its range is confined to the dense rainforests of the Wet Tropics, between Cooktown and Townsville. They are most active and visible during the wet season, from approximately November to April, after heavy monsoon rains. At this time, the males descend from the high canopy to call for mates from low branches near still ponds and flooded ditches. It is during these breeding choruses, which can be quite loud, that they are most likely to be seen.

Animal of the Day 239 Aug 27

The Spotted Whistling-Duck is a relatively recent colonist, having expanded its range from New Guinea. It has a very limited distribution, primarily concentrated in northeastern Queensland around well-vegetated wetlands, lagoons, and freshwater swamps. This bird visited Cairns and was spotted on several occasions in an ephemeral pond after flooding.

Despite being small and largely brown, it is easy to identify with a distinctive pattern of large white spots on its brown flanks and belly, which gives the bird its name. I think they are very attractive and interesting.

Animal of the Day 238 Aug 26

The Tiger Huntsman is a spectacular and visually striking species, known for its brilliant orange and black tiger-like markings. They are a rainforest species found in north Queensland, Australia. Its habitat is believed to be primarily in the upper canopy of the rainforest.

They are rarely seen and often nocturnal. I only saw this one because a shrikethrush had tackled it and they were both on the ground in the rainforest. Unfortunately, after a protracted struggle the spider came off worst. It was a real shame as it was a stunning creature, especially when the sunlight hit it.

Animal of the Day 237 Aug 25

The White-browed Scrubwren is a small, noisy, ground-dwelling bird. It gets its name from the prominent white stripe above its eye. They are not migratory and can be seen year round in dense, shrubby habitats, often found in the undergrowth of forests, woodlands, and coastal scrub. It is described as a shy bird that is more often heard than seen, with a loud, melodious song that belies its small size. Look for it foraging among the leaf litter on the ground or darting between low-lying shrubs.

I find them to be dear little birds, despite their stern look. A 'pish' sound often brings them out of hiding and they are very photogenic.

Animal of the Day 236 Aug 24

The Painted Dragon is a small, agile lizard belonging to the family Agamidae. This species is known for its highly variable and vibrant colouring, which can range from shades of brown and grey to bright orange and red, often with intricate patterns of spots, blotches, or stripes. Males, especially when breeding, can have a striking blue wash on their throat and a bright yellow or orange flush on their body. They are a diurnal lizard that forages for insects and is known for its ability to sprint quickly to escape predators. They often retreat to their burrows, which are typically located at the base of shrubs.

Since they rely on the sun to regulate their body temperature, the best time to see them is during the warmer parts of the day, particularly during the spring and summer months. They can often be seen basking on the ground, on low branches, or on termite mounds, absorbing heat before they begin to forage for food.

I shot this one just after it had a stand off with another which was seriously cute as they were so small.

Animal of the Day 235 Aug 23

The Black-faced Monarch is such an attractive bird with a black face patch that does not extend across the eyes, a blue-grey head, back, and wings, and a warm, rufous belly. It also has a hooked bill and a pale grey eye-ring. The juvenile is interesting with no black patch at all.

They are a seasonal migrant in eastern Australia between September to March and can be found in the coastal and subcoastal areas of southeastern Australia, from central Queensland down through New South Wales and into eastern Victoria. They prefer habitats with dense, wet forests and rainforests, and can also be found in damp gullies and coastal scrub.

During the non-breeding season (April to August): The species is a resident in the tropical north of its range in Queensland, but many individuals migrate north to New Guinea for the Australian winter.

Animal of the Day 234 Aug 22

The Pink Underwing Moth is a large, distinctive, and highly sought-after moth in Australia. Its name comes from the brilliant pink patches on its dark hindwings, which are hidden from view when the moth is at rest. The forewings are a mottled grey-brown, shaped to perfectly mimic a dead leaf, a form of camouflage that makes the moth incredibly difficult to spot. With a wingspan that can reach up to 17 cm, it is one of Australia's largest moths.

The moth is primarily found in the subtropical rainforests of eastern Australia and its existence is tied to its host plant, the Carronia Vine, which the caterpillars feed on. It is considered an elusive species, and while adult moths are thought to be most active during the warmer months, roughly from October to April, they are rarely seen.

Animal of the Day 233 Aug 21

The Sooty Oystercatcher is endemic to Australia. It is characterized by its entirely black plumage, which contrasts vividly with a long, bright orange-red bill, a red eye-ring and iris, and sturdy coral-pink legs. It is a large, robust bird, with females typically having a longer and more slender bill than males.

They can be seen year-round along the entire Australian coastline, from the southern states to the far north, but are generally found in low-density, scattered populations. It is most common in Bass Strait, particularly on the islands. While they are a resident species and do not undertake long-distance migrations, they may make small local movements. Breeding occurs during the spring and summer (late winter to spring in some areas), almost exclusively on offshore islands and sometimes on isolated mainland headlands. During the non-breeding season, pairs or family groups may join small flocks.

Animal of the Day 232 Aug 20

The White-kneed Cricket is a large, ground-dwelling king cricket native to the tropical and subtropical rainforests of eastern Australia. As its name suggests, it is characterized by the prominent white patches on its knees, which stand out against its shiny, dark brown body. These crickets can grow quite large, reaching up to 50mm in length, with females generally being larger than males. They have extremely long antennae, sometimes measuring over 10cm, which they use to navigate their environment.

The White-kneed Cricket is a nocturnal creature, spending its days hidden in burrows in the soil or under fallen logs and leaf litter on the forest floor. It emerges at night to forage, feeding on a wide variety of organic matter, including fruits, nuts, leaves, and even scavenging on dead animals.

Animal of the Day 231 Aug 19

I always enjoy seeing the Terek Sandpiper, partly because it has such interesting behaviour and partly because it is so easy to identify unlike most waders on Australian coasts. It has a long, slender, and strongly upturned bill, which is black with a dull orange base. Its legs are conspicuously short and bright orange or yellowish-orange. The bird has a distinctive, jerky, and erratic foraging style as it runs quickly across mudflats to peck at prey, usually with its head down.

As a migratory species, the Terek Sandpiper breeds in the taiga forests of northern Eurasia, from Finland across Siberia. It migrates south for the non-breeding season, with some individuals traveling along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway to Australia. It is a summer visitor to northern and eastern coastal regions.

Animal of the Day 230 Aug 18

The Spectacled Fruit Bat, is a large bat distinguished by the prominent, straw-coloured or yellowish fur surrounding its eyes, giving it the appearance of wearing spectacles. Its body is mostly black, with a pale yellow or creamy mantle over its neck and shoulders.

They are found exclusively in north-eastern Queensland in tropical rainforests from Cape York down the east coast to as far south as Ingham.

They can also be seen in mangroves and paperbark forests, but their roosting camps are most commonly associated with rainforests.

I saw this group of them eating mangoes upside down right in the centre of Cairns.

Animal of the Day 229 Aug 17

The Olive-backed Oriole is a medium-sized bird with a rather discreet, yet elegant, plumage. It has an olive-green head and back, a grey tail, and a cream-coloured underbelly streaked with dark brown or black. A key identifying feature is its bright red eye and reddish bill. In Australia, the Olive-backed Oriole is found across northern and eastern coastal regions.

I find them to be a bit classier than the Green Oriole and always love seeing them, although finding them can be tricky with their cryptic plumage. They can also mimic other birds and throw their voice, making it sound like the call is coming from somewhere else, making it even more challenging to spot in the wild.

Animal of the Day 228 Aug 16

The Bush Rat is a native rodent that is often mistaken for its introduced cousins, the Black Rat or Brown Rat. It is a shy, terrestrial animal with a distinct set of characteristics and habits. A key feature that helps distinguish it from introduced rats is its tail, which is relatively short—about the same length as or slightly shorter than its head and body combined. In contrast, the tails of Black Rats are typically much longer than their bodies. The Bush Rat also has a pointed head, large, rounded ears, and prominent eyes.

They are strictly nocturnal and prefer to stay on the ground, where it forages for food and navigates through dense vegetation. Bush Rats are also generally solitary and quite shy, which, combined with their nocturnal habits, makes them difficult to spot in the wild. They build shallow burrows or nests lined with grass and other plant material under logs, rocks, or in dense leaf litter.

While they are not everyone’s cup of tea, it is always good to see native animals. 

Animal of the Day 227 Aug 15

The Buller's Albatross is a species of albatross that breeds exclusively on islands off New Zealand. After breeding, they disperse across the South Pacific, with some individuals regularly venturing into Australian waters.

These smaller mollymawk albatrosses can be tricky to identify. Key features for the Buller’s is the yellow bill with a black tip and a black line on the upper mandible.

The best chance of a sighting is from a pelagic bird-watching boat trip off the coast of southeastern Australia. They are a relatively common visitor to waters off New South Wales between March and October, with fewer sightings outside this period. They are considered a rare visitor to Victorian waters during this same period.

I saw them on a pelagic from Kiama in New South Wales. They are such a treat to see as they are very elegant.

Animal of the Day 226 Aug 14

The Striped Possum is a nocturnal marsupial with a very limited range in Australia and a striking black and white coat. It is restricted to the tropical rainforests and woodlands of north-eastern Queensland.

The reason for the Striped Possum's distinctive black and white stripes is not definitively known, but it is believed to be a form of warning coloration. This is a strategy used by some animals to advertise to predators that they are not good to eat.

The possum also has a very strong, pungent odour, which adds to its warning signal. This is a similar defensive mechanism to a skunk, which the possum is often compared to because of its appearance and smell. The bold stripes and powerful odour likely serve as a deterrent, helping to protect the possum from potential predators in its rainforest habitat.

Animal of the Day 225 Aug 13

The Tooth-billed Bowerbird is one of the oddest birds I have ever seen. It looks fairly ordinary but is very different to other bowerbirds. Firstly, they don't build a bower. Instead the male clears a stage on the forest floor. They then decorate this cleared area with large, fresh green leaves, placing them upside down so the pale underside faces up for contrast. They use their unique, serrated bill to snip the leaves from trees.

Then there is their bill. The ‘tooth-billed’ name comes from the small, saw-like serrations on their bill, which are an adaptation specifically for cutting the leaves they use to decorate their display court.

Lastly there is their very bowerbird-like call. A raspy, barking hissy call that helps pinpoint their location. They are totally fabulous.

Animal of the Day 224 Aug 12

The Mareeba Rock Wallaby (Petrogale mareeba) is a species of rock-wallaby endemic to a small area of northeastern Queensland, Australia. It has a very restricted distribution, confined to the rocky highlands west of Cairns in northeastern Queensland. Its range includes areas around the town of Mareeba, extending to Mount Garnet, the Mitchell River, and Mount Carbine.

Its preferred habitat consists of rocky outcrops, boulder piles, cliffs, and gorges within dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands. These rocky refuges are crucial for their survival, providing shelter from predators and a stable environment protected from extreme weather conditions and bushfires. While they spend the day resting in these rocky shelters, they emerge at dusk to feed on grasses, forbs, and other vegetation.

Animal of the Day 223 Aug 11

I was very fortunate to watch courting Red-tailed Tropicbird from the side of a mountain over the ocean. Apart from being very beautiful, they are famous for elaborate aerial courtship displays. The display involves the birds flying in a variety of complex patterns and manoeuvres, including dancing in the air, one above the other, in acrobatic circles and loops.

The most remarkable movement I saw was them flying backwards. The bird photographed was stationery one second and then flying backwards the next. I thought it rather looked like it was reverse parking as it looked over its shoulder.

They can also hover, swing their streamers and dive, while calling. It was one of the most breath taking birding experiences of my life.

Animal of the Day 222 Aug 10

The Major Skink (Bellatorias frerei) has a varied appearance. Its body is typically a pale to chocolate brown, and its scales often have a dark streak down the centre, giving it a subtly striped or broken-line pattern. The flanks are often paler with spots or blotches, and the belly is white to yellowish.

They are a habitat generalist, living in a wider variety of ecosystems. It is found in forests, woodlands, savannas, grasslands, and especially around rocky outcrops where they have a more complex social structure. They are known to form small colonies or family groups and are often seen basking together.

This one was basking in the sunshine in Far North Queensland. A real beaut!

Animal of the Day 221 Aug 9

The Turquoise Parrot, while once thought to be extinct in the early 20th century, has made a patchy recovery. However, it can still be difficult to find in Australia for a few key reasons related to its habitat, behaviour, and historical pressures. Habitat loss and degradation, historical clearing and loss of nesting sites have all contributed to them being Threatened in Victoria, where I took this photo.

Turquoise Parrots are predominantly ground-based seed eaters. They forage quietly in grassy areas, often in the shade of trees, making them difficult to spot.  They are typically found in pairs or small family groups, making them less conspicuous than other, more social parrot species. This is how I found them, coming to drink at a small dam in an isolated state park.

While they are quite cryptic, once you see them they are breath-taking. It was a real privilege to watch them for a while.

Animal of the Day 220 Aug 8

The Black-winged Petrel (Pterodroma nigripennis) has a wide oceanic range across the Tasman Sea and Central Pacific Ocean. As a highly pelagic species, it spends most of its life at sea, coming to land only to breed on island groups around New Zealand, New Caledonia, Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands in Australia.

Outside of the breeding season (November to May), the birds migrate north to forage in a broad belt of ocean between Peru and Hawaii.

I was lucky enough to see them on Phillip Island, just off Norfolk Island. It was a tough climb to the top but worth it to be able to see just wonderful birds close up. Also present were breeding Masked Boobies and courting Red-tailed Tropicbirds.

Norfolk Island is an incredible place to visit and bird watch.

Animal of the Day 219 Aug 7

The Central Netted Dragon (Ctenophorus nuchalis) is a widespread lizard found throughout the arid and semi-arid regions of mainland Australia. Its range extends from the coast of Western Australia eastward through the Northern Territory and into western New South Wales and western Queensland.

This species is particularly common in open, sandy desert habitats and can also be found in areas with sparse vegetation. They are well-adapted to hot, dry environments, where they are often seen basking on rocks, logs, or termite mounds.

I caught this dragon from the window of my campervan doing exactly that. I thought it looked so wonderful against the red earth of Central Australia.

Animal of the Day 218 Aug 6

Far North Queensland is a hotspot for stick insect diversity, including some of Australia's largest species.

While a recent discovery of the Highlands Giant Acrophylla (Acrophylla alta) was made near Atherton, this specimen was at the wonderful Kingfisher Park in Julatten and could be one of the other giant species.

Titan Stick Insect (Acrophylla titan): One of Australia's longest stick insects, females can grow up to 25 cm.

Goliath Stick Insect (Eurycnema goliath): A conspicuous, heavily built species found throughout northern Australia. Females can also reach lengths of up to 25 cm.

Giant Prickly Stick Insect (Extatosoma tiaratum): Also known as Macleay's Spectre, this species is famous for its spiny, leaf-like appearance, which is a fantastic form of camouflage.

The Julatten area, being part of the Carbine Tableland, is recognized as having a high concentration of both insect species and endemics, making it a prime location for these incredible creatures.

Animal of the Day 217 Aug 5

The White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos) is unlike many birds, as they are obligate cooperative breeders. This means they cannot successfully raise young without the help of a group. They live in social clans of about 4 to 20 individuals. The group typically consists of a dominant breeding pair and their offspring from previous years, who act as helpers.

A unique behaviour of these birds is that groups of choughs may kidnap young birds from neighbouring clans. This is done to bolster their numbers of future helpers, as a larger group size significantly increases the chances of reproductive success. These kidnapped birds are quickly adopted and integrated into the new family.

I saw this happen at the Little Desert in Victoria. The adult photographed here was protecting a juvenile when a rival bird unceremoniously dumped it off the branch and tried to kidnap the youngster. The pitched bird was furious and shrieked its way back up ready for a fight. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

Animal of the Day 216 Aug 4

The White-lipped Tree Frog (Litoria infrafrenata) is a large and distinctive frog species with a specific distribution and a unique physical feature. It is found in the northern coastal areas of Australia, primarily in coastal areas of Cape York Peninsula, Wet Tropics of north-eastern Queensland and the Gulf of Carpentaria region. It is the largest tree frog in the world and is also found throughout New Guinea.

If you are in these areas, watch out as I have often seen them in toilets and showers!

The most defining feature of this frog is the brilliant white stripe that runs along its lower lip, continuing back to the shoulder. While there is no single, definitive answer to the purpose of this feature, it is believed to help to break up the frog's outline, making it harder for predators to spot it against a backdrop of vegetation and dappled light, especially at night when they are most active.

Animal of the Day 215 Aug 3

The Wonga Pigeon (Leucosarcia melanoleuca) is another odd Australian bird, and both its name and its distinctive pattern have interesting origins. The name wonga is derived from an Indigenous name, likely ‘wonga-wonga’, which is an onomatopoeia inspired by the pigeon's call. The Wonga Pigeon has a very loud, high-pitched coo or whoop that is repeated for long periods and can be heard over a kilometre away. This distinctive and far-carrying call is how the bird got its name.

The Wonga Pigeon's plumage is quite unique. It has a grey back and wings, but a striking white throat and breast with a bold, V-shaped black pattern. The rest of its underside is white with dotted dark grey spots.

While the exact reason for the V-shaped pattern is thought to be for camouflage as they are primarily ground-dwelling birds that live in dense forests, often foraging on the forest floor. The contrast between the light and dark plumage, along with the dotted pattern, may help to break up the bird's outline and provide camouflage in the dappled light and shadow of the forest floor, making it harder for predators to spot. This is a common strategy in nature known as disruptive coloration

Animal of the Day 214 Aug 2

I always like seeing the Western Grey Kangaroo. They are much darker than the Eastern Grey and somehow more attractive and interesting. Maybe that’s because the eastern variety are so common.

The Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) is found across a wide range of southern Australia. Its distribution extends from Shark Bay in Western Australia, through South Australia and parts of western Victoria and western New South Wales, all the way to southwestern Queensland. This always surprises me, as it makes them not really ‘western’ at all.

I was recently in Gunderbooka National Park in NSW and was really pleased to see Eastern, Western and Red Kangaroo all in the same place. So you don’t need to head to Western Australia to see these wonderful animals, they are all over the place!

Animal of the Day 213 Aug 1

The Varied Honeyeater (Gavicalis versicolor) is a coastal species found in a limited range of tropical and subtropical environments. Its range extends along the coastal areas of Australia and New Guinea.

The Varied Honeyeater is often considered to be closely related to the Mangrove Honeyeater, and their ranges meet and overlap around the Townsville region. The call of both birds and the White-gaped Honeyeater are all very similar. The Varied Honeyeater is dominant along the foreshore in Cairns and has been mistaken for both the other species at times. Cairns is a great place to see this pretty honeyeater and I have had few interactions with them elsewhere.