July

Animal of the Day 212 July 31

I took this photo in the botanic gardens in Cairns and didn’t know what the species was. Turns out, it is the Krefft's turtle (Emydura macquarii krefftii) is a species of short-necked freshwater turtle native to eastern Australia. It is distinguished by its pale to bright yellow facial stripes that run from its eye back to its ear. Its shell is typically deep and oblong-shaped, with an olive-brown to blackish-brown top and a bluish-green-tinged underside.

You can find them in the freshwater drainage systems of eastern Queensland, from Brisbane up to Princess Charlotte Bay. Their habitat includes:

Permanent rivers and swamps

River overflows and lagoons

Large waterholes

These turtles are most often found in deeper waters and can be seen basking on exposed logs and rocks above the water. During times of drought, they may also be encountered crossing roads as they search for new, more permanent bodies of water.

Animal of the Day 211 July 30

I have been lucky enough to see the Victoria’s Riflebird in full courting display and it really is one of the wonders of the natural world. The ritual begins with the male issuing a loud, raspy ‘yass’ call to advertise his presence. As he calls, he opens his beak widely to show off the brilliant yellow interior of his mouth, which provides a striking colour contrast to his black plumage.

When a female approaches, the male transitions into a dynamic dance. He raises his black, iridescent wings in a circular posture, often hyperextending his wrist joints—a unique adaptation among birds. He moves his body rhythmically, spinning on his perch to face the female as she moves around him. 

The final and most intense stage is a vigorous wing-clap display. The male rapidly jerks his wings and head from side to side in alternating motions. This movement produces distinct clapping sounds as the primary feathers of his wings collide. The tempo of this display increases steadily, captivating the female's attention and serving as the final, dramatic crescendo before mating.

Animal of the Day 210 July 29

The Boyd's Forest Dragon (Lophosaurus boydii) is often considered one of the gems of Australia's Wet Tropics rainforests. Generally, they are brown or grey, often with a greenish flush that helps them blend perfectly with the moss and bark of rainforest trees. However, they can have intricate patterns of yellow, black, and white markings. Males, particularly mature ones and those in highland areas, may exhibit more vibrant colors, including blues, greens, and oranges on their heads and bodies. In particular, their head is adorned with enlarged, often prominent, scales, giving it a somewhat dragon-like appearance.

A prominent crest of pointed scales runs from the back of their head (nuchal crest) down their back, though it can be discontinuous. They also have very enlarged, often somewhat conical scales on their cheeks, which can be a pale, almost white, colour. Under their chin, they possess a deep, mustard-yellow dewlap (a throat flap) that is often edged with enlarged spines. They can puff this up for display or when threatened.

Boyd's Forest Dragons are masters of cryptic camouflage and can be incredibly difficult to spot, even when you are looking directly at them. They are essentially living tree bark! They are endemic to the Wet Tropics region of northern Queensland, Australia. Their range extends from just north of Townsville (around Paluma) north to near Cooktown, and west into the Atherton Tablelands, but strictly within tropical rainforest and its margins.

Animal of the Day 209 July 28

The Campbell Albatross (Thalassarche impavida) was once considered a subspecies of the Black-browed Albatross. However, in 1998, a split was proposed, and many experts, including BirdLife International, now recognize them as distinct species. The prominent black eyebrow of both species gives them a somewhat frowning appearance. The most distinguishing feature from the Black-browed Albatross is its pale yellow iris. It also has a bright yellow bill with an orange or reddish tip.

This distinctive albatross is primarily found in southern Australian waters, including the Tasman Sea and southwestern Pacific Ocean. They are generally considered regular visitors to NSW waters and can be seen in most months of the year, with peaks in winter during their non-breeding season. They are reported to range widely in Australasian seas, even reaching the Ross Sea during their breeding season (September-May). This means non-breeding or juvenile birds might be seen in Australian waters throughout the year.

Animal of the Day 208 July 27

The Tasmanian Pademelon (Thylogale billardierii), also known as the Rufous-bellied Pademelon, is a stocky, short-tailed marsupial. They are the largest of the pademelon species with males being considerably larger than females. They have soft, thick, dense fur, well-adapted for Tasmania's cooler climate. Colouring ranges from dark-brown to grey-brown on the back and sides, with a distinctive red-brown or reddish tinge on their belly. Unlike some other pademelon species, they typically lack distinct facial or hip markings.

The Tasmanian Pademelon is extinct on mainland Australia. While they were once widespread across southeastern Australia (including parts of Victoria and South Australia), they became extinct on the mainland during the early 20th century. This extinction is primarily attributed to habitat loss due to large-scale land clearing and predation by introduced red foxes. Today, the Tasmanian Pademelon is found exclusively and is abundant throughout Tasmania and the larger islands of Bass Strait.

Animal of the Day 207 July 26

The White-browed Crake (Poliolimnas cinereus) seems to be seen more often in Australia compared to some other crake species. While still a wetland bird that prefers dense vegetation, the White-browed Crake can be found in a slightly wider range of habitats compared to some other crakes. They are often found in well-vegetated swamps and marshes and will utilize areas with more open water edges and floating vegetation like lily pads, where they might be more visible than species that strictly stick to the densest reeds.

The White-browed Crake has a prominent white stripe above its eyes, resembling eyebrows, which can make it more easily identifiable even at a distance or in brief glimpses. Many other crake species have more subtle or uniform plumage, making them harder to distinguish without a very clear view.

I saw this adult with 2 juveniles at Tyto Wetlands, near Ingham in Queensland and I watched them for some time foraging out in the open. Another good place for them was Fogg Dam in the Northern Territory.

Animal of the Day 206 July 25

The Eastern Water Skink (Eulamprus quoyii) is a common reptile native to Australia. It's a relatively large skink, capable of growing up to 30 cm in total length. Its body is typically olive-brown to coppery-olive, flecked with black spots. The most distinguishing feature is a pair of sharp, narrow, pale yellow (or golden) dorsolateral stripes that run along its body from above the eye. Unlike some other species in its genus, it lacks a black vertebral stripe. The upper lateral zone is blackish with pale spots. Its underside is creamy with scattered darker spots that vary between individuals, and its throat is white with darker black patches.

As they are diurnal, they can often be seen basking on rocks and logs near water to regulate their body temperature. They are excellent swimmers and will readily enter the water to hunt or escape predators. When threatened, they can drop their tail, which continues to wriggle, distracting the predator while the skink escapes. The tail will eventually regrow.

Animal of the Day 205 July 24

The White-quilled Rock-Pigeon is a medium-sized pigeon, with plumage making it a masterpiece of camouflage. It blends seamlessly with its rocky surroundings. The rich, dark brown to reddish-brown body, has a mottled or scalloped appearance due to pale fringes on its feathers. The head is typically lighter, with a mix of light and dark grey. Its most defining characteristic, and the source of its name, is a prominent white patch on its upperwings, which is particularly visible when the bird is in flight or stretching its wings. 

As rock dwellers, they are highly adapted to their environment, often seen perching on prominent rocks or ledges, holding their body horizontally with their tail clear of the ground and wings slightly drooped. Its range is highly restricted to specific areas of northern Australia due to its extreme habitat specialization. It is found exclusively in the sandstone escarpments, gorges, and rocky outcrops in the Kimberley and northwest NT.

Having said that, they are relatively and surprisingly easy to find within their range. I saw this bird within the Keep River National Park where it was sitting high on the rocks. It was suitably stunning in that environment, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.

Animal of the Day 204 July 23

The Northern Leaf-tailed Gecko (Saltuarius cornutus), is one of Australia's more unusual geckos. The tail is broad, fleshy, and distinctly leaf-shaped, further ornamented with spines and bumps to enhance its ability to blend into its environment. It can be used for camouflage, as a threat display (waving it to exaggerate its size), and can be shed in an emergency (though a regrown tail may differ in shape and colour).

The Northern Leaf-tailed Gecko is endemic to eastern Australia, primarily found in the Wet Tropics rainforests of north-east Queensland. I found this one after a lengthy search in the grounds of Kingfisher Park in Julatten. They are very difficult to see head on so finding them involves a lot of circling of trees looking for any change in patterns!

Animal of the Day 203 July 22

I have found the White-browed Woodswallow (Artamus superciliosus) challenging to find in Australia, even though it's widespread across much of the eastern and central inland. They are highly nomadic and partially migratory, especially within the vast semi-arid interior of Australia. Typically, they move north during autumn/winter to central Queensland and the Northern Territory, and then south in spring for breeding.

Their movements are strongly influenced by food availability, particularly following rainfall patterns and subsequent insect blooms. This means they can suddenly appear in large numbers in an area where conditions are favourable, and then disappear just as quickly when resources dwindle.

While they form large, often mixed, flocks with Masked Woodswallows, this can also make them seem elusive if you're not in the right place at the right time. They can be present in staggering numbers when conditions are right, but then absent for long periods. I hope to find them again soon as they are simply stunning birds.

Animal of the Day 202 July 21

The Common Bluebottle butterfly, also known as the Blue Triangle in Australia (Graphium sarpedon), is a striking and fast-flying swallowtail butterfly. Both the upper and underside of its wings are dark brown to black, featuring a prominent, triangular, and iridescent light-blue patch that extends across both the forewings and hindwings. This blue can sometimes appear greenish.

The Blue Triangle is a very active and restless butterfly, often seen flying rapidly, making it challenging to observe when it's in flight. They rarely settle for long. Males are known to puddle, gathering in groups on damp ground, mud, or even animal droppings to extract water and minerals. They will also feed on nectar from various flowering plants.

Animal of the Day 201 July 20

To me, the Spotted Bowerbird (Chlamydera maculata) sits in between the Great and Western Bowerbirds in terms of plumage. It also seems a little overlooked in terms of locations and sightings. It is found across broad parts of the drier habitats of eastern Australia with their range extending from northern Queensland through western New South Wales. They commonly inhabit dry, open sclerophyll woodlands with dense understories, often preferring areas dominated by eucalypts and/or acacia, and have strong associations with riverine woodlands. They can also be found in orchards, parks, and rural homesteads.

Interestingly, they are known to paint the inside walls of their bower with a red-brown mixture made from masticated grass and saliva. They collect objects favouring white, grey, pale green, amber, and mauve objects, including bones, shells, pebbles, and even man-made items like glass and foil.

Animal of the Day 200 July 19

The Land Mullet (Bellatorias major) is a large lizard found in eastern Australia. Despite its fishy-sounding name, it's actually the largest member of the skink family in Australia. The primary reason for its name is its smooth, shiny, black fish-like scales that cover its body. This gives it a superficial resemblance to the marine fish known as a mullet, which also has a somewhat blunt head and often a dark, sleek appearance.

Their range extends north to areas like the Conondale Range (near Maleny) and they are frequently found in mountainous areas from Gosford in NSW up to south-eastern Queensland. Places like Lamington National Park, Springbrook, Binna Burra, and Mount Tamborine are known localities. In New South Wales they are found from the northern side of the Hawkesbury River up into south-eastern Queensland.

Animal of the Day 199 July 18

The Brown Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia phasianella) gets its name from its long, graduated tail, which is a distinctive feature. The term ‘cuckoo-dove’ is used for birds in the genus Macropygia, and it's thought to allude to the somewhat slender build and long tail that gives them a superficial resemblance to some cuckoo species (though they are not related to cuckoos). 

Although the Brown Cuckoo-Dove is an Australasian species, its range extends from eastern Indonesia and New Guinea into Australia. In Australia, it is found along the eastern coast and adjacent ranges, as far south as Victoria. They primarily inhabit rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests, woodlands where they are largely arboreal (tree-dwelling), feeding on a wide variety of fruits, berries, and seeds. They are known for their acrobatic feeding habits, often hanging upside down to reach fruit. They can be seen singly, in pairs, or in small groups.

Animal of the Day 198 July 17

I found this Golden-crowned Snake on the road up to Norah Head, NSW. A guy was kneeling on the road looking at it so I joined the queue. This attractive snake belongs to the Elapidae family, which includes many of Australia's most highly venomous snakes. However, its venom is considered weak to mildly potent for humans. Its venom is primarily used to subdue its prey, which consists mainly of small lizards (especially skinks), frogs, and sometimes tadpoles. It hunts these at night, often by scent, ambushing them while they are sleeping.

The Golden-crowned Snake is endemic to eastern Australia, primarily along the coast and adjacent ranges. Its range extends from south-eastern Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT. They prefer moist, sheltered environments with good ground cover like rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests, and well-vegetated open forests.

Animal of the Day 197 July 16

The Silver-crowned Friarbird (Philemon argenticeps) is a distinctive, large honeyeater, endemic to northern Australia. They have bare, featherless heads, which gives them a somewhat monk-like appearance (hence ‘friarbird’). The most striking feature is the bare, black skin on their face. This patch extends behind the eye and forms an angular point in adult birds and is diagnostic. As their name suggests, they have a pale grey or silvery-grey cap/crown that can sometimes appear slightly ruffled, giving it the silver-crowned look. The back of the neck is also pale grey.

The Silver-crowned Friarbird is endemic to tropical northern Australia. I have had glimpses of them in Cape York and the Top End but by far the best views I got of them was at Daly Waters where they were abundant at the caravan park.

Animal of the Day 196 July 15

The Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog (Litoria fallax), also commonly known as the Eastern Sedge-frog or sometimes the Banana Box Frog due to its habit of hitching rides in fruit shipments, is a small and very common tree frog species found along the eastern coast of Australia. As its name suggests, it's a small frog, typically reaching only about 2.5 to 3.5 cm in body length. This can make them difficult to spot. 

Their colour can vary considerably, ranging from bright green to pale brown or even bronze. Often, individuals will have a mix of green and brown patches. A distinctive feature is a white stripe that runs from under the eye to the arm, and a dark band from the nostril through the eye.

They are nocturnal, but you can often find them resting on vegetation during the day. They are agile climbers and good jumpers. Their preferred habitat is swamps and marshes, especially those with abundant reeds, sedges, and other emergent or floating vegetation, lagoons and dams, ditches, etc. I found this specimen one night in NSW. A bit tricky to get close to it but it was rather sweet.

Animal of the Day 195 July 14

I was thrilled to find the Shy Heathwren in rural Victoria and loved watching them bobbing about. Photography was difficult given their secretiveness and the gloom of the thick undergrowth. Hence, I was very pleased to get a couple of shots of one out in the open. 

These attractive birds are an uncommon resident found across a wide part of southern Australia, predominantly within mallee woodlands and heathlands with a dense shrubby understorey. They prefer areas that provide good ground cover for foraging and nesting. Their range extends from the wheatbelt in southern Western Australia eastward through South Australia, Victoria, and into central New South Wales.

Animal of the Day 194 July 13

The Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) is, of course, actually a megabat (fruit bat), and are the largest bat species in Australia. They are large, with a body length of 23-29 cm and a remarkable wingspan that can exceed one metre. Their most prominent characteristic is the light grey fur on their head (hence "grey-headed") and a russet or orange-brown collar of fur around their neck. The rest of their body fur is generally dark grey to black. Their wing membranes are black.

The Grey-headed Flying Fox is endemic to southeastern Australia, primarily found east of the Great Dividing Range. Their core range extends along the east coast from Bundaberg in Queensland, through New South Wales, and into southern Victoria, with populations now also established in South Australia.

Animal of the Day 193 July 12

The Brolga (Antigone rubicunda), also known as the Australian Crane, is a large and iconic waterbird native to Australia. It's one of only two crane species found in Australia, the other being the Sarus Crane. They are impressively tall, standing around 1 to 1.3 metres in height, with a wingspan that can reach up to 2.4 meters.

They have a predominantly silvery-grey body plumage. A distinctive feature is the featherless, bright red or orange-red patch on their head, extending from behind the eye to the top of the neck. They also have a black dewlap (a fold of skin) under their chin. Their long legs are grey to black, distinguishing them from the Sarus Crane which has reddish-pink legs.

While they are sedate and fairly slow moving in their habitat, when courting they come alive and their elaborate and graceful dances (performed by both sexes) are incredible to watch. These displays involve bowing, head-bobbing, wing-flapping, leaping up to a metre in the air, and tossing grass and sticks. 

Animal of the Day 192 July 11

The Red-necked Wallaby (Notamacropus rufogriseus), also widely known as Bennett's Wallaby, is a brush wallaby that is apparently common within its range. I clearly need to brush up (forgive the pun) on my marsupial species as I wasn’t familiar with them until I saw lots of them around Torrington, NSW. They are large wallabies with males being up to 1.5 metres tall. The name might suggest the red colouring is restricted to the neck but those that I saw were very attractive with distinct white markings on the face and reddish fur around the body.

The Bennett's Wallaby is found in Tasmania and on some Bass Strait islands and the Red-necked Wallaby on the mainland from southern Queensland through NSW and into Victoria and parts of South Australia.

The groups that I saw were shy but typically of macropods, they stood very still just observing until they felt disturbed. I thought them to be very attractive and interesting. 

Animal of the Day 191 July 10

The Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii) is found across much of mainland Australia. They are only absent from Tasmania and the far north areas. Unsurprisingly, they thrive in more arid and semi-arid environments including dry Acacia, Callitris (cypress-pine), or mixed scrubland and woodland. They are predominantly ground-feeding birds, often perching on low branches, fences, or stumps, and then darting down to catch insects and spiders on the ground.

The squeaky call is distinctive and gives away their presence every time and I always listen out for them. They like to sit low in trees scanning the ground for insects. The male bird is stunning with a square of crimson on the breast. The female is brown with paler red accents. 

Animal of the Day 190 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 189 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 188 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 187 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 186 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 185 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 184 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 183 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 182 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.