November

Animal of the Day 334 Nov 30

Carnarvon Gorge is an incredible oasis in the middle of the Outback. It is lush and when we visited it was stuffed full of birds and animals. Around the visitor centre were lots of Copper-tailed Ctenotus, basking on the rocks marking the pathways. This area is also quite sandy, making it a perfect habitat for them. On sunny days, they bask on the rocks, ducking into cover when disturbed. They take advantage of the many invertebrates that also call the gorge home and are fast moving predators. 

Animal of the Day 333 Nov 29

The Painted Buttonquail is one of the more common species of buttonquail in Australia and it is fairly widespread. Buttonquail are not actually related to more well known quail families like the Brown Quail. They are actually more closely related to shorebirds. The name Buttonquail comes purely from their physical resemblance and behaviour to the Old World true quails, combined with their small size.

I love seeing these cryptic birds as you never know what their plumage will look like. Guide books describe them as having the following colours depending on their gender and the season: white, black, chestnut, grey, brown, buff, cream, red, rufous, blue-grey. The patterning descriptions include: spotted, mottled, flecked and scalloped. The ‘painted’ part of the name refers to the large white spots on the breast. I once camped out for 3 days where I had seen a group of these wonderful birds and can vouch for all of these descriptors. 

Animal of the Day 332 Nov 28

The Gilbert's Dragon is known for its distinctive bipedal running and a curious waving behaviour (earning it the nickname ‘Ta-Ta lizard’). It belongs to the Agamid family of lizards. They are endemic to northern Australia and have a wide distribution across the tropical and semi-arid regions of the continent.

As semi-arboreal and diurnal with a strong preference for areas near water, they can be found fairly easily within their range.

Animal of the Day 331 Nov 27

The Nankeen Kestrel is widespread and common across most of Australia and New Guinea. It inhabits the entire Australian mainland, including the semi-arid central regions, and is also found on Tasmania (though less common and mostly a non-breeding visitor to the eastern half). It is also native to New Guinea and surrounding islands, including Christmas Island, Norfolk Island, and Lord Howe Island.

Unlike many forest raptors, the Nankeen Kestrel prefers open country, which contributes to its broad range and visibility. Its preferred habitats include open woodlands and grasslands. It has also adapted well to urban areas and is often seen perching on power poles, phone lines, and buildings.

The name "Nankeen" is derived from a historical reference to a specific type of fabric, which perfectly describes the bird's distinctive plumage color. The upper parts are mostly a pale rufous or reddish-brown colour. Nankeen (or Nanking) was a type of durable cotton cloth, traditionally spun and woven in Nanking (Nanjing), China. This cotton was naturally a yellowish-brown colour, rather than white. Our kestrel is named for the similarity of its main body colour to the colour of Nankeen cloth.

Animal of the Day 330 Nov 26

The Closed-litter Rainbow Skink, scientifically known as Carlia longipes, is found in northeast Queensland as well as eastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. They are generally brown with bronze sides and a black stripe that runs from the nostril back behind the foreleg.

Their name comes from a combination of two key characteristics: their genus, and their preferred habitat. Rainbow Skink refers to the entire Carlia genus. Breeding males of many Carlia species exhibit brilliant and striking colours on their bodies and throats, justifying the "rainbow" description. Closed-litter describes their preferred habitat as they are known to forage and live in areas where the ground is covered by a relatively dense layer of leaf litter or ground debris. This "closed" layer provides them with cover, moisture, and a place to hunt their prey.

Photo credit: Mark Mayhew

Animal of the Day 329 Nov 25

The Norfolk Island Parakeet (Cyanoramphus cookii) is a critically endangered species endemic to Norfolk Island. It is a vibrant green bird, recognizable by a prominent red band on its forehead and golden-yellow patches on its wings and faces near-extinction due to the introduction of invasive species like rats and cats, as well as habitat loss following European settlement. Thanks to intensive conservation efforts, including captive breeding, predator control, and supplementary feeding, its population has shown significant recovery from a low point of around 30 birds in the late 1980s. Today, it remains a focal point of conservation on the island, primarily inhabiting the Norfolk Island National Park and the surrounding areas, symbolizing a successful, ongoing fight against extinction.

It was a wonderful experience to watch a few of the birds eating guava in the rain on my last visit to Norfolk Island. The parakeet is one of the most wonderful endemic birds on the island and definitely worth a trip.

Animal of the Day 328 Nov 24

The Pink Anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) is also known as the Pink Skunk Clownfish. They are all born male, and can later change sex to female. A single host anemone has a single social group living in it. The largest fish is always the dominant breeding female, the second largest is the breeding male, and the smaller fish are non-breeding males or juveniles. If the sole breeding female dies, the largest male in the group will change sex and become the new female. The next largest male then takes the position of the new breeding male.

Once settled, the fish rarely leaves the area immediately surrounding its host anemone, often residing in the same spot for its entire adult life. They are easily identified by their pinkish-peach body colour and two distinct white stripes: a white stripe running vertically just behind the eye and another running along the spine from the nose to the tail, hence the skunk name.

Photo credit: Mark Mayhew

Animal of the Day 327 Nov 23

For a long time, the Rufous Fantail has been my nemesis. The combination of its flighty nature and thick wooded environments has made all my photos pretty average. This year I found a pair of them out in the open and at times, sitting. It was one of those wonderful birding experiences that makes it all worthwhile.

This stunning bird thrives in moist environments across northern and eastern coastal Australia. They are typically found in areas with deep shade and high humidity, including rainforests, eucalypt forests, swamp woodlands and mangroves. Here, they predominantly occupy the lower strata of the forest, which makes them often at least partially visible. Usually seen alone or in pairs, they are often part of mixed-species feeding flocks with other small insectivorous birds. These feeding guilds are often the way I find these tricky birds.

Animal of the Day 326 Nov 22

The Lamington Crayfish (Euastacus sulcatus), sometimes called the Blue Spiny Crayfish, is a magnificent and iconic crustacean of the Gold Coast Hinterland. They are restricted to a crescent of mountains in South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales with the primary location being Lamington National Park, Queensland. In particular, they are found in streams and creeks at an altitude of over 300 metres in cool, clear, and generally flowing streams and creeks that are bordered by rainforest.

The Lamington Crayfish are often hiding in burrows or under rocks, but they become much more visible at night. They are often found roaming the rainforest floor and along walking tracks when conditions are damp or wet, usually after substantial rainfall. The rain encourages them to leave their burrows to search for mates, territory, or food.

These incredible creatures are not easy to find. The talented wildlife photographer Mark Mayhew walked several hours in the rainforest at night to get this shot after several attempts. Thanks Mark!

Animal of the Day 325 Nov 21

The Pacific Heron has stunning plumage, all year round with both sexes looking similar in all stages. The non-breeding plumage is seen for most of the year with the head and neck being white. A distinguishing feature is a line of dark, often slate-grey to black spots that runs vertically down the front of the lower neck and upper breast.

During the breeding season (generally September to December, but opportunistic with rain events), the bird develops ornamental feathers, or nuptial plumes. Long, lance-shaped plumes of a plum-coloured or maroon hue develop on the back (mantle) and the lower foreneck/breast. The slate-grey feathers on the back and wings often become a richer, darker black with a slight sheen. The bare skin around the eye typically brightens, becoming blue during courtship.

Animal of the Day 324 Nov 20

The Australian Helmeted Gecko is a member of the Diplodactylus genus, which contains many Australian "Stone Geckos" and is distinguished by several key features. The primary distinguishing feature and the source of its common name is the presence of a conspicuous, raised ridge or crest of enlarged, pointed scales located at the back of the head and the nape (neck) area. This ridge gives the head a somewhat flattened, triangular, or 'helmeted' profile when viewed from the side or above, making its head appear relatively large compared to its body.

Like many Diplodactylus species, it has a relatively stout, carrot-shaped tail that is used to store fat reserves. The tail is smooth and lacks the knob or leaf-like shapes seen in other Australian geckos (like Nephrurus or Phyllurus). Its skin is covered in small, granular scales, which often give it a textured, semi-rough appearance that aids in camouflage among the gravel and stones of its desert habitat.

Animal of the Day 323 Nov 19

The Ruddy-breasted Crake (Zapornia fusca) is a small (21–23 cm), secretive Asian waterbird characterized by its rich chestnut head and underparts, olive-brown upperparts, bright red legs, and white barring on its flanks. Its extensive primary range covers swamps and wetlands across South and Southeast Asia, including the Indian subcontinent, China, and Indonesia, with some northern populations migrating south for the non-breeding season.

This very attractive crake is classified as an extremely rare vagrant, with the few accepted Australian records restricted almost entirely to the remote Indian Ocean territory of Christmas Island. Its appearance is, to say the least, unpredictable.

I took this shot in Cambodia but would love to see them in Australia. Christmas Island is definitely on my bucket list!

Animal of the Day 322 Nov 18

The Giant Barred Frog is one of the biggest frog species in Australia. Like many frogs, the females are significantly larger than the males. Females can reach a snout-to-vent length of up to 120 millimetres and weigh around 190 grams! Males are smaller, reaching around 88 mm. They are powerfully built with strong hindlimbs, which is fitting for their large size and terrestrial habits.

A key identification feature is the golden upper half of their iris with a vertical pupil, contrasting with a darker lower half. They get their common name from the distinct dark horizontal bars that run across their long, muscular legs. They have a large, broad head and a prominent, projecting snout, giving their head a more triangular shape compared to other barred frogs.

They are rather fabulous to see. We found a group of them in the hills west of Coffs Harbour.

Animal of the Day 321 Nov 17

The Mangrove Gerygone is a small Australian songbird highly specialized for life in mangrove swamps due to its primary diet of insects, which are abundant in the foliage of mangrove trees. It feeds across all levels of the mangrove forest, from the canopy down to the exposed roots. Thus, when you see them, they are usually darting around and can be difficult to watch or photograph.

I am particularly fascinated by them because I spent many years in New Zealand listening to the endemic Grey Gerygone which has a very similar song. The White-throat Gerygone also has this quite specific tune and hearing any of these birds makes me wonder about how that has happened and that many years ago that these birds were more closely related.

Animal of the Day 320 Nov 16

The Blotcheye Soldierfish is a tropical, nocturnal fish belonging to the family Holocentridae (Soldierfishes and Squirrelfishes). The body is generally silvery pink to pale yellowish with distinct red margins on its large, prominent scales, giving it a mesh or net-like pattern. It is characterised by very large eyes, an adaptation for its nocturnal lifestyle. During the day, they are secretive and aggregate in large groups, sheltering in dark caves, crevices, and beneath ledges before emerging to feed on plankton at night.

A key identifying mark is a dark brown to blackish margin on the gill cover that extends down and often forms a dark blotch at the base of the pectoral fin. In adults, the lower jaw is noticeably projecting beyond the upper jaw. The large, spiny dorsal fin is often yellow to orange-yellow, and the other fins are red, typically with narrow white leading edges.

The Blotcheye Soldierfish is widespread across Australia's tropical and sub-tropical reefs, part of its extensive Indo-Pacific distribution. It is most commonly found throughout the Great Barrier Reef and the northern Coral Sea. Their distribution extends southwards, with sightings reported as far as Sydney.

Animal of the Day 319 Nov 15

The Long-billed Corella is native to the extreme south-east of the Australian mainland. This historical range includes south-eastern South Australia, Western Victoria and southern New South Wales. It is typically found in grassy woodlands, grasslands, pasture, and areas with large, old eucalypts (like River Red Gums) near water, as it relies on digging for bulbs and corms in the ground.

The Long-billed Corella is aptly named, featuring a distinctive, very long and pointed upper beak perfect for digging up roots and bulbs. Even more striking, it sports a broad, bright orange-red band across its throat and upper chest, giving it a signature 'cut-throat' look. The Little Corella, by contrast, has a short, standard cockatoo bill and its chest is completely white, with only a small, subtle pink blush right next to its eye.

Animal of the Day 318 Nov 14

The Stoney Creek Frog (Litoria wilcoxii) has multiple colour variations. These are primarily due to camouflage and sexual signalling. Individuals can range in colour from pale fawn to dark brown or reddish-brown, often with dark patches or mottling. This allows them to effectively camouflage against the rocks, gravel, and leaf litter found in their rocky, flowing stream habitats.

The most striking colour change is rapid and tied to reproduction, particularly in males. During the mating ritual, the male Stoney Creek Frog undergoes a dramatic and rapid physiological colour change from its normal cryptic brown to a uniform, bright, opaque yellow. Research suggests this bright colour functions as a message directed at other males. It is hypothesized that the sudden shift to bright yellow signals to surrounding males that the female has already been secured, which may discourage competition.

Animal of the Day 317 Nov 13

We have all heard of the long distance migratory feats of birds like the godwit but for me, the migration of the Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis) is one of the most incredible feats of endurance in the avian world. This tiny shorebird weighs only about 27–30 grams (the weight of a cookie) and their annual journey is a round-trip of approximately 25,000 kilometres. They breed in the Siberian and Alaskan Arctic Tundra and then spend their non-breeding months in Australia and New Zealand.

This massive migration is impossible without key staging sites along the eastern flyways to rest and refuel. The most critical of these is the region surrounding the Yellow Sea (China and the Koreas). The successful migration and survival of the Red-necked Stint depend entirely on the health of these scattered wetland habitats across 22 countries. The ongoing loss and degradation of these crucial staging sites, particularly around the Yellow Sea, pose the greatest threat to the species.

What a privilege to see them on our shores.

Animal of the Day 316 Nov 12

The Chameleon Gecko is right up there as the most interesting gecko I have ever seen. The looks are prehistoric and the tail very weird. We saw this one on the track, during the day in Far North Queensland and was thrilled with how interesting it looked.

The gecko froze on the track and that allowed me to get some close up photos. I know that geckos etc use freezing as a defence to supposedly make them disappear into the background but this wasn’t working in an open area in the middle of the day. Perhaps for its normal predators, it would. They will drop their tails as a last resort so it was good to see that this one had its rather fine original tail.

Animal of the Day 315 Nov 11

The Pink-eared Duck is very endearing. It is a relatively small duck that sits low in the water. Aside from the pink ears that are often difficult to see, it has an interesting and oddly shaped bill. Apparently, as the bill is similar to the Australasian Shoveler, calling it something like the "Spatulate Duck" or "Large-billed Duck" could have caused confusion with other species.

Another feature of the pink-eared are the black and white stripes, giving it another colloquial name of the “Zebra Duck”. This might be descriptive, but perhaps “Pink-eared” was seen as more precise or elegant by the person who formalised the name.

The scientific name, Malacorhynchus \ membranaceus, actually means "soft bill" or "membranous bill," referring to the pliable flaps around its feeding apparatus, which is arguably its most important biological trait.

The naming of the Pink-eared Duck is fascinating as birders frequently ask the question ‘Why?’. Historically, ornithologists often prioritized features that are diagnostic—meaning they are the one characteristic that proves the species is distinct from its closest relatives. The presence of that small pink carotenoid pigment patch is a highly specific, unique trait in its group of waterfowl.

Animal of the Day 314 Nov 10

The Smooth Knob-tailed Gecko (Nephrurus levis) is a robust, medium-sized gecko with a large, triangular head and big eyes. Its most distinctive feature is its short, carrot-shaped tail that ends in a small, fleshy knob. They can be pinkish-grey to purplish-brown, often with darker and lighter spots or lines. The name levis means "smooth," referring to its relatively smooth skin compared to other geckos in its genus.

They are strictly nocturnal and ground-dwelling. During the day, they hide in self-made or other animals' burrows to escape the heat. At night, they emerge to hunt for insects, spiders, scorpions, and other invertebrates. When threatened, they may make a loud, rasping "bark" (which gives their family, Carphodactylidae, the alternative name of "barking geckos") and sway their body or attack with an open mouth. They can also drop their entire tail as a distraction if needed.

These interesting critters are found across all mainland states and territories except for Victoria and the ACT (Australian Capital Territory). They are particularly prevalent throughout the arid and semi-arid regions of South and Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Animal of the Day 313 Nov 9

The Plum-headed Finch is not considered rare in Australia, but it is nomadic, which means its presence can be highly unpredictable. The key factor in finding them is their nomadic nature. They move extensively to follow seeding grasses and water availability, often in response to rainfall and drought cycles. They can be abundant in one area during a favourable season and completely non-existent a few months later.

The Plum-headed Finch is an endemic species to eastern Australia, primarily found inland and west of the Great Dividing Range. Their range extends from central Queensland down to the border. In New South Wales they are found across the inland plains, reaching as far south as areas around Sydney and parts of the Great Dividing Range's western slopes.

To successfully locate them, look for areas that match their preferred habitat, especially those with an abundance of grass seeds and water.

Animal of the Day 312 Nov 8

The Carpet Python is one of Australia's most common and widespread snakes, often encountered even in urban and suburban areas. They get their name from their distinctive and varied patterned skin, which resembles an oriental carpet. Their colouring can range from greenish-brown to blackish-brown with irregular cream, yellow, or pale brown blotches. They are large, heavy-bodied snakes.

They are found across most of mainland Australia (except Tasmania and some central-western regions) and are highly adaptable. You can find them in a range of habitats, from rainforests and woodlands to rocky outcrops, and often in human structures like roof spaces and sheds (where they help control vermin like rats and mice).

As non-venomous constrictors, they kill their prey (small mammals, birds, possums, etc.) by wrapping around them and suffocating them. They are primarily nocturnal ambush predators and use heat-sensitive pits on their jaws to track warm-blooded prey in the dark.

Animal of the Day 311 Nov 7

There are five species of Australian finches commonly referred to as "Firetails" due to their characteristic bright crimson rump and upper tail coverts. They are all beautiful birds and today’s bird is the Red-eared Firetail. It is endemic to the southwest corner of Western Australia, primarily along the southwestern (near-)coastal fringe of WA.

They are a shy species that prefer dense undergrowth and thickets near water, such as riparian vegetation, paperbark swamps and dense shrubs and thickets in gullies and coastal areas. Because they are secretive and typically seen alone or in pairs foraging on the ground, they can be a challenge to spot! Listening for their soft, rising "oowee" call can often be the best way to locate them.

Animal of the Day 310 Nov 6

The Blue-faced Angelfish (Pomacanthus xanthometopon) is a large, striking marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae (Angelfishes). It is also commonly called the Yellowface Angelfish or Yellowmask Angelfish.

The body has a complex pattern of blue scales edged in yellow, giving a net-like or reticulated look. The most defining feature is the bright yellow mask across the eyes, which contrasts with a dense, scrawled pattern of brilliant blue lines on the lower half of the face and cheeks. It also has a distinctive black eyespot at the rear of the dorsal fin.

The Blue-faced Angelfish is widely distributed across the tropical Indo-Pacific region, and in Australia, its range is restricted to the warm, northern tropical waters. Its distribution extends along the entire northern and central Great Barrier Reef. Look for them around outer reef slopes, bommies (coral columns), and in areas with large caves or overhangs where they often seek shelter.

Animal of the Day 309 Nov 5

The Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) holds the title as the largest owl species in Australia and the largest of all the global Ninox (hawk-owl) species. This formidable nocturnal predator is significantly larger than its Australian counterparts, reaching impressive dimensions of up to 65 cm in length and weighing between 1.45 to 2.2 kilograms.

This substantial size and mass grant it the power necessary to take down large prey items like possums and flying foxes, distinguishing it from the medium-large Masked Owl, which is rarely over 1.2 kg, and vastly overshadowing the most common species, the Southern Boobook, which typically weighs only 200 to 300 grams. In essence, the Powerful Owl's massive size places it securely at the apex of the Australian nocturnal avian food chain, requiring immense talons and weight for its specialized hunting strategy.

You can often tell that a Powerful Owl is in the area if you find the heads and remains of fruit bats on the forest floor!

Animal of the Day 308 Nov 4

The Common Death Adder (Acanthophis antarcticus) is considered extremely dangerous due to its potent venom, but it is not an aggressive snake; in fact, its nature makes it dangerous in a unique way. Its venom is highly neurotoxic, meaning it attacks the nervous system. The neurotoxins cause progressive, symmetrical, descending paralysis, which can lead to difficulty swallowing, blurred vision, and, most critically, respiratory failure (the inability to breathe) if untreated.

The Death Adder is noted for having the fastest strike speed of any snake in Australia, and possibly the world. This speed makes it very difficult for prey (or a person's reflex) to avoid the bite once the strike is initiated.

The critical factor is immediate medical attention. With effective modern antivenom and supportive care, fatalities from the Common Death Adder are now very rare, but a bite is always a life-threatening medical emergency.

Animal of the Day 307 Nov 3

The Rockwarbler (Origma solitaria) has a small and specific range because it is an extreme habitat specialist with an obligate association with the Sydney Basin's unique geology. It is the only bird species endemic to the state of New South Wales, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world, and its distribution is tightly restricted to the sandstone and limestone formations within about a 240 km radius of Sydney.

They are specialists of the Hawkesbury Sandstone geology, which forms the rugged terrain of the Sydney Basin, including the Blue Mountains, Royal National Park, and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The bird is rarely found outside of woodlands and gullies where this exposed sedimentary rock is present. This is the single most important factor defining its range.

Its diet consists mainly of insects and spiders, which it forages for with great agility by hopping over rocks and probing crevices, ledges, and under bark. The unique micro-climate and plant communities (like sclerophyll forests) associated with the sandstone rock formations provide a specific and consistent prey base that the Rockwarbler is highly adapted to exploit.

Animal of the Day 306 Nov 2

The Rufous Bettong (Aepyprymnus rufescens), also known as the Rufous Rat-kangaroo, is a dear little marsupial. It is a small, jumping, rat-like marsupial and belongs to the family Potoroidae, which includes the Potoroos and other Bettongs. Native to eastern Australia, its range currently extends from parts of Queensland down into north-eastern New South Wales.

The Rufous Bettong is considered an ecosystem engineer as it constantly digs for fungi and tubers. This in turn aerates the soil, helps with nutrient cycling, and assists in the germination of native plants. By foraging on underground fungi, it consumes spores and then disperses them in its scat across the landscape, which is vital for forest health.

This was my first sighting of a bettong at Carnarvon Gorge and it is definitely a candidate for cutest marsupial!

Animal of the Day 305 Nov 1

The Red-browed Pardalote is a gorgeous bird with incredible plumage that can only be appreciated close up. The most notable features are the orange-red eyebrows (which gives the bird its name, as rubricatus means 'red-ochred') and the black crown with white spots. It also has a prominent yellow wing panel, which is unique among Australian pardalotes. When the bird sings, the black crown raises up and you can see the spots clearly.

These  wee birds are specialists that forage almost exclusively in the foliage of eucalypt trees across inland and northern Australia, often in woodlands and semi-arid regions. While the colours are bright up close, the combination of dark, spotted, and light patches can actually help break up the bird's outline when seen against the patchy sunlight and shadows of a dense eucalypt canopy.