October

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

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