October

Animal of the Day 304 Oct 31

Today’s frog is a distinct species of tree frog endemic to the rainforests of Queensland, Australia. It is a small to medium-sized tree frog known for its specific habitat requirements.  As a rainforest specialist, it is strongly associated with fast-flowing, rocky streams in montane areas of the Wet Tropics region in North Queensland. Its tadpoles have flattened bodies and powerful, suctorial mouthparts to cling to rocks and avoid being swept away by the strong currents.

The Australian Lace-lid Frog gets its common name from a fascinating and unique feature of its eye structure: the pattern on its lower eyelid. It is translucent and adorned with a delicate, fine pattern of lines, veins, and dots. And, of course, this intricate network of markings looks like a piece of fine, patterned lace.

Animal of the Day 303 Oct 30

I have seen the Southern Emu-wren only on a few occasions and only once did a couple of them allow me to get some photos. They are so tiny and so beautiful that I think they are one of the most striking Australian birds. People usually want to know how they got the odd name, so here we go.

The name comes from its most notable physical feature. The Emu part of the name refers to the texture and structure of its tail feathers. This little bird has a very long, filamentous tail, made up of six loose and wispy feathers. They have a soft, hair-like texture because the barbs are not tightly interlocked, which makes them look like the soft, shaggy feathers of a fully grown Emu. The irony of the name is often noted, as the Emu-wren is one of Australia's smallest birds, while the Emu is its largest.

Animal of the Day 302 Oct 29

The Red and Black Anemonefish is characterized by its deep body colour and distinct patterning.  The body is primarily a deep, rich reddish-orange to dark red-brown. It is a medium-sized species of anemonefish, typically reaching up to about 12 cm in length. In the wild, it is most commonly associated with the Bulb-tentacle Sea Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor).

The distribution of this really cute fish is widespread across the Western Pacific Ocean. Its range extends throughout the warm, tropical waters surrounding numerous islands and reefs from Japan to New Caledonia and from Indonesia eastward across Micronesia and Melanesia.

It is generally not considered a common or widespread species along the main length of the Great Barrier Reef. Its presence in Australia is mainly confined to the Coral Sea and the reefs off the far northeast coast of Queensland, which is of course, where this photo was shot.

Animal of the Day 301 Oct 28

I was thrilled to find the Yellow Rosella first at Wagga Wagga Botanical Gardens and the fact that they are subspecies of the Crimson Rosella is really interesting. They are identical to the standard Crimson Rosella (P. e. elegans) in pattern and size, but with a dramatic colour substitution. The deep crimson red plumage of the nominate race is replaced entirely with a bright, light yellow on the head, breast, and underside. The signature features of the species remain: bright blue cheek patches, blue on the wings and tail feathers, and a pale bill.

This subspecies is primarily found in the semi-arid riparian woodlands, specifically along the Murray and Murrumbidgee River systems in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, where its colour provides better camouflage among the Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gums).

According to the Biological Species Concept (BSC), two populations are considered the same species if they can naturally interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring. Since the Yellow Rosella and the Crimson Rosella do this where their territories overlap, they are deemed to be geographical variations (subspecies) of the same species (Platycercus elegans), differing primarily due to localized selection pressures influencing colour.

Animal of the Day 300 Oct 27

The Australian Scrub Python is an impressive snake. It is the longest and largest snake species native to Australia and they can reach lengths of over 5 metres. They have a moderately slender but muscular body and their colour ranges from olive to dark brown, often with lighter blotches or bands. The common name "Amethystine Python" comes from a distinguishing feature: their smooth scales shimmer with a beautiful, milky blue-purple iridescence in the right light, reminiscent of an amethyst gemstone.

Like all pythons, it is non-venomous. It kills its prey by constriction, wrapping its coils around the animal and suffocating it. Food of choice includes birds, fruit bats, rodents and possums. Larger individuals can take prey as big as wallabies and juvenile kangaroos.

Animal of the Day 299 Oct 26

The Australian Spotted Crake (Porzana fluminea) is a small, secretive wetland bird. Spotting one is a classic birding challenge, as they prefer to skulk in dense cover. Look in the well-vegetated edges of permanent or temporary wetlands—lakes, swamps, lagoons, and estuaries. They use both fresh and occasionally saltwater environments. They are almost always found among dense growths of plants, such as tall reeds and rushes or low, dense shrubs.

Crakes are often heard before they are seen. Their most common call is a sharp, metallic, double-note call and listening for this is often the best way to confirm their presence. Like many rails, they are often most active and visible during the early morning and late evening (near dusk).

I found a wonderful spot in the Winton Wetlands where a pair of crake let me get close to them as they darted in and out of the reeds. For a secretive bird, they were active and visible making it a birding experience to remember.

Animal of the Day 298 Oct 25

Today’s animal wins the award for the most wonderfully named. It is the Hairy Pie-Dish Beetle! It is a species of beetle, scientifically known as Helea perforata and belongs to a group of beetles commonly called Pie-Dish Beetles (Family: Tenebrionidae, the darkling beetles).

The name is purely descriptive of its strange appearance. Firstly, it has an extremely flattened, oval, and broad body shape. Its forewings are fused together down its back and are extended into wide, solid, armoured rims that circle the entire body, resembling a pie dish or a small, black flying saucer.

The surface of its fused wing has a covering of small, stiff, hair-like structures called setae, giving it the "hairy" part of its common name, which distinguishes it from other smooth species of Pie-Dish Beetles.

The solid, armoured flange acts as a shield against predators (like spiders, scorpions, and ground beetles). If attacked from the side, the beetle can tilt its body to protect its soft underside, or even partially bury itself, leaving only the tough shield exposed.

Animal of the Day 297 Oct 24

The Yellow-billed Spoonbill (Platalea flavipes) is a wading bird endemic to Australia. It can be found across most of the Australian mainland where suitable habitat is available. They are strongly associated with freshwater habitats, including the shallows of lakes, billabongs, swamps, lagoons and large, shallow dams.

They are particularly common in the well-watered inland areas of the country. Often nomadic, they move in response to rainfall and water availability, especially in the semi-arid interior. They are less common in the coastal regions and are largely absent from the major arid deserts in the centre and the west.

The bill of the Yellow-billed Spoonbill is naturally yellow (or pale yellowish/buff) and is a key feature used to distinguish it from its relative, the Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia), which has a black bill and black legs. The name Platalea flavipes itself literally translates to "broad/flat-footed yellow-foot," highlighting its yellow features.

Animal of the Day 296 Oct 23

Frogs, frogs, frogs! I can’t keep up with identifying them, changing of names and new discoveries. This is the Red-eyed Tree Frog (chlorohyla chloris formerly Ranoidea chloris AND Litoria chloris). It is found along the coastal and sub-coastal regions of Queensland.

It is an arboreal (tree-dwelling) species, typically found in areas with high humidity and access to water. Its preferred habitats include rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests, vine thickets and well-watered gardens and woodlands. As nocturnal frogs, they spend much of their time high in the tree foliage and are generally only seen after heavy rain, particularly during the breeding season (spring and summer), when they descend to water sources to mate.

To add to the classification confusion, the Red-eyed Tree Frog is very similar to the Orange-thighed Frog (Ranoidea xanthomera). The difference between the 2 is that the latter has bright orange inner thighs. So if you are not sure, just ask for a quick peek!

If any details are wrong, please don’t tell me, I am frogged out!

Animal of the Day 295 Oct 22

The Rock Parrot (Neophema petrophila) is so named in Australia because of its strong association with and preference for rocky coastal habitats, especially for breeding. The name directly reflects its unique ecological niche, which sets it apart from other Australian grass parrots.

It has a highly specific breeding habit, choosing to nest in rock crevices, under rocky ledges, or in burrows (like abandoned seabird nests) on windswept, rocky offshore islets and coastal cliff-faces. This is a significant deviation from most other parrots which nest in tree hollows.

The species is rarely found more than a few hundred metres from the sea, where it forages in coastal shrublands, low heathy vegetation, saltmarshes, and coastal sand dunes. Its entire existence is tied to the harsh, saline, rocky coastline of southern and southwestern Australia.

In fact, its scientific name, also highlights this characteristic: petrophila is derived from the Ancient Greek words: petros meaning 'rock' and philos meaning 'loving'. Thus, petrophila literally means "rock-loving."

Animal of the Day 294 Oct 21

This rather fine creature is a Giant Yellow Nudibranch (Notodoris minor). It is also appropriately known as the Banana Nudibranch and is a rigid sea slug. The bright yellow background colour is patterned with an intricate network of diagonal black lines over its entire body. This vivid colouration is a warning to predators of its toxicity.

It is a relatively large nudibranch, capable of growing up to about 14 cm in length. Unlike many nudibranchs with soft, delicate bodies, this species has a firm and rigid skin that is toughened with tiny spicules. Its upper surface features a few irregular pustules.

The gills are located midway along the body and are partially hidden by three large lobes, giving the animal a sponge-like appearance that helps with camouflage. In Australia, it is primarily found in the tropical waters of the north and east, most notably the Great Barrier Reef.

Animal of the Day 293 Oct 20

I always love seeing Cattle Egret and am interested in why they are the only species to be seen in groups regularly with livestock. It is fairly obvious that as large farm animals walk and graze through the grass, they flush out and disturb insects (like grasshoppers, flies, and crickets) that are hiding in the vegetation. The egrets, which walk or perch near the animals, can easily catch these exposed insects. This greatly increases their feeding efficiency, allowing them to get up to 50% more food while expending less energy than if they foraged alone. The livestock seemed unaffected by the egrets but they also benefit as ticks, flies etc are plucked from their skin.

Animal of the Day 292 Oct 19

The Cogger's Barred Frog, for me, is interesting mainly because of its name. It is named in honour of Professor Harold Cogger for his extensive and significant contributions to the field of herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians) in Australia. I had the privilege of meeting Hal at his home in New South Wales recently. He was so interesting as he talked about his experiences and shared his collection of all things Australian fauna. A well deserved name. 

The frog itself is also commonly known as the Mottled Barred Frog and like other frogs in the genus Mixophyes, the term "barred frog" comes from the distinctive dark, horizontal cross-bars on its arms and legs.

Animal of the Day 291 Oct 18

Australian Logrunners can be difficult to find as they scurry around the rainforest floor. They do have a distinctive and raucous call which does help, however. Their plumage is obviously cryptic but I am always interested in the difference between the throat colour. The male is pure white and the female is bright orange. Research shows that these colours make it easy for the birds to recognise each other easily in the gloom of the forest. 

Secondary reasons for the difference is that the slightly more muted colouration of the female helps her blend in to avoid detection by predators while she is vulnerable when sitting on the nest. Conversely, the male’s white throat helps to intimidate rival males and help maintain his territory within the dense rainforest environment.

Animal of the Day 290 Oct 17

The bright colouration of the Fiddler Beetle (Eupoecila australasiae) in Queensland is primarily an example of conspicuous signalling, which serves to warn off predators. It is a case of once bitten, twice shy. Once a predator has an unpleasant experience with one, it learns to associate the distinctive pattern with a negative outcome and avoids all future individuals with that colouration. 

They are common along the entire eastern coast and can be found in parks and gardens, especially over summer feeding on flowering trees and shrubs.

Animal of the Day 289 Oct 16

The Red-rumped Parrot is a small and very attractive parrot (especially when taking a bath) of south eastern Australia. It is common and successful within its range due to its adaptability to changing habitats. It naturally prefers open grassland or lightly-timbered areas, which are similar to human-created environments like farmland, cultivated paddocks, parks, gardens, sports fields, and golf courses.

They primarily forage on the ground, feeding mainly on the seeds and leaves of grasses and herbaceous plants. I have some of my best shots of them in grass in urban parks where they were obviously used to and tolerant of humans and very much enjoyed the grass lawns.

Animal of the Day 288 Oct 15

The Spine-cheeked Anemonefish, also known as the Maroon Clownfish (Amphiprion biaculeatus), is found in the Indo-West Pacific in warm, tropical waters. It is widely distributed across the waters of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, the Indian Ocean, Western Pacific. This fish was seen on the Great Barrier Reef.

In the wild, this fish is almost exclusively found living in a symbiotic relationship with a single species of sea anemone: the Bubble-tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) and is typically found between 1 and 16 meters deep. 

Like all clownfish, they start as males. In a group living on an anemone, the largest fish is the dominant female, and the second largest is the breeding male. If the female dies, the breeding male will change sex and become the new female. 

Photo credit: Mark Mayhew

Animal of the Day 287 Oct 14

It took me some time to find the Partridge Pigeon (Geophaps smithii) in northern Australia. It is primarily ground-dwelling nature and blends in perfectly with the leaf litter and grassy ground cover of the tropical woodlands. Outside of the breeding season, they often move in small, scattered groups of up to five birds, behaving more like secretive quail than large, conspicuous pigeons.

This attractive pigeon is listed as Vulnerable at a state or national level in Australia, meaning its population numbers are low enough to be a serious conservation concern. This is such a shame as it is a very beautiful and interesting bird. 

Animal of the Day 286 Oct 13

The Slender Bleating Tree Frog (Litoria balatus) is so named for two primary reasons related to its appearance and its call. Firstly, it is ‘bleating’ because of its extremely loud, high-pitched, and piercing call, which has been described as a "bleat" or "screech." Secondly, when compared to the other two species it was split from—the Robust Bleating Tree Frog (Litoria dentata sensu stricto) and the Screaming Tree Frog (Litoria quiritatus)—the Slender Bleating Tree Frog has a more slender build.

It is a common and widespread frog throughout south east Queensland and can be located by that distinctive call. This frog was living in the lid of a wheelie bin and boy did it beat when I opened the lid. One relocation and photograph later and everyone was happy.

Animal of the Day 285 Oct 12

The Paperbark Flycatcher (Myiagra nana) was separated from the Restless Flycatcher (Myiagra inquieta) in 1999 based on multiple, consistent differences that indicated they are distinct species, despite their very similar appearance. The Paperbark is smaller and found in more northern parts of Australia. The physical differences are indistinct and they are best identified by their range.

They are a beautiful bird, especially caught in sunlight. Their call is another identifier with a buzz call most heard. I have seen them plenty of times but still don’t have that killer photograph. It is not too much of a task to keep trying to see this interesting bird.

Animal of the Day 284 Oct 11

The Fleay's Barred Frog (Mixophyes fleayi) is a moderately large, endangered species of ground frog native to Australia. They are one of Australia's largest ground frogs, growing up to about 90 mm long (about the size of a human fist). They are typically pale to medium brown with darker brown blotches on the body, and distinctive dark bars across their legs and arms (giving them the "barred" name).

A distinguishing feature is their striking eyes, where the upper half of the iris is silver-blue and the lower half is brown. They are strongly associated with permanent, fast-flowing streams and creeks. 

The Fleay's Barred Frog has a restricted and fragmented distribution in the wet forests along the eastern side of the ranges in South-East Queensland and North-East New South Wales and typically inhabit rainforest and wet eucalypt forest of the escarpment and foothills, usually close to clear, flowing, permanent streams.

Animal of the Day 284 Oct 11

The Fleay's Barred Frog (Mixophyes fleayi) is a moderately large, endangered species of ground frog native to Australia. They are one of Australia's largest ground frogs, growing up to about 90 mm long (about the size of a human fist). They are typically pale to medium brown with darker brown blotches on the body, and distinctive dark bars across their legs and arms (giving them the "barred" name).

A distinguishing feature is their striking eyes, where the upper half of the iris is silver-blue and the lower half is brown. They are strongly associated with permanent, fast-flowing streams and creeks. 

The Fleay's Barred Frog has a restricted and fragmented distribution in the wet forests along the eastern side of the ranges in South-East Queensland and North-East New South Wales and typically inhabit rainforest and wet eucalypt forest of the escarpment and foothills, usually close to clear, flowing, permanent streams.

Animal of the Day 283 Oct 10

The Pied Currawong is a very vocal bird, known for its loud and far-reaching calls. Its main call, from which it gets its common name, is a loud, ringing, and often mournful sound. They have a wide vocal repertoire that include a wolf-like whistle, bell-like calls and lower-pitched, gurgling or deep, harsh croaking sounds. Interestingly, Pied Currawong calls exhibit distinct local dialects, meaning that populations in areas less than fifteen kilometres apart may have noticeably different calls.

The different sounds produced by the Pied Currawong are not random but serve specific communication needs, similar to how humans use different tones, pitches, and words for various situations. These range from contact calls to territory defence and advertising for a mate.

I was recently staying near Coffs Harbour in NSW where large groups of them gathered. They do this to reinforce group bonds during autumn and winter. The noise was both deafening and wonderful. 

Animal of the Day 282 Oct 9

The Quenda is a species of short-nosed bandicoot. It's about the size of a small rabbit, with a long, pointed nose, short rounded ears, a short tail, and coarse, dark grey-brown fur. It is sometimes mistaken for a large rat, but it has a stouter body, a much shorter tail, and cannot climb. They are mostly nocturnal and are known for digging characteristic cone-shaped holes while foraging for invertebrates and plant material.

The name Quenda comes from the traditional Noongar language (specifically the word kwinda or similar variations) of the indigenous people of the south-west of Western Australia, where the animal is found. While it was historically classified as a subspecies of the Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus), it has recently been elevated to its own species, and the Noongar name is now widely used, particularly in Western Australia.

I was lucky to find a campsite where the Quenda would emerge before dusk and wander the area. I have only caught glimpses of them elsewhere.

Animal of the Day 281 Oct 8

The Pied Monarch is endemic to Australia and has a very limited range, being restricted to coastal northeastern Queensland, Australia. It is mostly non-migratory, though some individuals may disperse to Eucalyptus woodland in the Atherton Tableland during the winter. Generally, they prefer tropical and subtropical forests.

Like other monarch species, they are generally uncommon and I have seen them irregularly in Far North Queensland. It is always a thrill to come across one. A reliable place I have found is the small patch of rainforest at Hunter Creek. 

Animal of the Day 280 Oct 7

The Garden Orb Weaver is a very attractive spider. They are known for their large, rounded abdomens, which can be orange, brown, or grey in colour.  Females are bigger than males and they can be quite large, making them look scarier than they really are. As nocturnal spiders, they start building their webs at dusk and then eat them at dawn to avoid predators (and of course humans).

So, you are most likely to see this spider when you come face to face with them coming home after dark. While their appearance can be startling, they are not considered dangerous to humans. They are generally timid and their bites are not medically significant.

Animal of the Day 279 Oct 6

The Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae) is considered rare or elusive in the wild primarily due to its highly nomadic nature and the challenges of its arid, desert habitat. It's not an easy bird to find or track, which contributes to its rare status in the eyes of researchers and birdwatchers.

They live in the arid and semi-arid regions of central and western Australia and move over vast distances to follow rainfall and the subsequent bursts of food availability, such as seeds, flowers, and fruits. This unpredictable movement pattern makes it extremely difficult for researchers to estimate its population size or track its long-term distribution, leading to a perception of rarity and a lack of reliable data. It may be absent from an area for years and then suddenly appear in large numbers for a brief breeding event.

It is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List and Vulnerable under Australian national law, suggesting a population that is small (estimated to be around 5,000 mature individuals) and potentially declining.

Animal of the Day 278 Oct 5

The Jacky Dragon is a common lizard across eastern Australia. The most curious thing about it is the name. Where does it come from? 

Well, there is no definitive answer to that question, but the name is believed to come from early colonial usage, possibly related to an old general nickname. The term "Jacky" was a common nickname or familiar term in 18th and 19th-century English for a variety of small, common, or familiar creatures. The lizard was one of the first Australian reptiles to be formally described by Europeans, coinciding with the first settlement at Sydney. It is a common and conspicuous lizard, often seen basking on logs and posts in the dry forests and woodlands near the settlements.

Hence, the name may have been a simple, non-specific familiar or vernacular name, a common convention for local fauna in the new colony (similar to Jacky Winter for the small robin).

Animal of the Day 277 Oct 4

The Pale-yellow Robin (Tregellasia capito) is a small, relatively unobtrusive bird endemic to the rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests of eastern Australia. It has a more subdued appearance compared to some of its brighter robin relatives. The head, nape, and back are a grey colour that blends into olive-green on the upperparts, wings, and tail. The breast and belly are a distinct, though often pale, yellow. The throat is a clean white.

There are 2 subspecies. In the southern race, the area between the bill and the eye is typically off-white and in the northern race, it is a pale buff or rufous-tinged. Also keep and eye out for the striking yellow-orange legs and thin, black bill.

They are generally solitary, secretive, and arboreal and like other robins, often observed perching sideways on tree trunks or low branches, watching for prey on the forest floor. 

Animal of the Day 276 Oct 3

The Eastern Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus), also commonly known as the Common Ringtail Possum, is generally easy to identify, especially when compared to the much larger and more widely known Common Brushtail Possum. The tail is long, slender, and tapering. Critically, the last one-third to one-quarter of the tail is always a distinct white or pale cream colour.

It is prehensile, meaning it can grasp objects. When the possum is moving or resting, the tail is often seen curled into a tight ring or coil, which is how it gets its name. It uses the tail like a "fifth limb" for climbing and carrying nesting material.

They are also significantly smaller than a Brushtail Possum, roughly the size of a small domestic cat or a large kitten. The body fur is typically a grizzled grey-brown or reddish-grey on the back and sides, with a pale cream-white underbelly. Look for a prominent white patch of fur immediately behind or beneath each small, round ear.

Animal of the Day 275 Oct 2

While the Rainbow Lorikeet is a stunning bird, it is so loud and raucous that it can be annoying. The other species of lorikeet get overlooked but are just as stunning. The Scaly-breasted Lorikeet has a smaller natural distribution, primarily along the eastern coast of Australia and is often dominated by the more aggressive rainbows, perhaps because of their smaller size.

These are such lovely birds with their bright green plumage and yellow ‘scales’. In flight, they are easy to identify with red patches under the wings. Like all lorikeets, they have evolved to rely on nectar and pollen rather than seeds, which is the primary food for most other parrots. Within a group of Rainbow Lorikeets, there are sometimes a few Scaly-breasted so always keep an eye out for them.

Animal of the Day 274 Oct 1

The Grey Nurse Shark (Carcharias taurus) is also known as the Sand Tiger Shark or Spotted Ragged-Tooth Shark. This one was photographed off the coast of New South Wales, where the population is critically endangered.

Despite its fierce appearance, with rows of visible sharp teeth, the Grey Nurse Shark is generally considered a docile and non-aggressive species towards humans. It's often dubbed the ‘Labrador of the sea’. Bites on humans are rare and usually occur if the shark is provoked or harassed.

During the day, they are relatively sedentary. They often congregate and rest in sheltered areas like sandy-bottomed gutters, rocky caves, and under overhangs in inshore rocky reefs, typically at depths of 15 to 40 meters. In this state, they often hover almost motionless above the seafloor.

Photo credit: Mark Mayhew

www.australianfaunacollective.com