Monthly Archives: August 2011
Victoria’s Riflebird
The Birds of Paradise are amongst the most sought after birds on the planet. Most species occur only in Papua New Guinea but here in Australia we have a few species including one common local resident on our rainforests. This … Continue reading
White-faced Heron
The White-faced Heron or as it’s often called the Blue Crane, is a common sight around Mission Beach, mostly on farmland or in cleared, grassy areas. These birds are found across the continent and will travel long distances to suitable … Continue reading
The Rufous Whistler
The Whistlers are a small group of birds that were once known as Thickheads until common sense prevailed and the name was changed to whistlers to reflect their sweet, strong whistling calls. There are 3 species found in the Mission … Continue reading
Pheasant Coucal
The Pheasant Coucal is an unusual bird in many respects. Firstly it’s not a Pheasant at all but a type of cuckoo, and secondly because although it’s a cuckoo, it doesn’t lay its eggs in other birds nest but instead … Continue reading
Sooty Oystercatcher
Oystercatchers are an uncommon sight along the coastal strip of Mission Beach but somewhat more common on offshore islands such as Dunk. Although 3 species have been recorded from Australia, only 2 are known from this area with the black … Continue reading
Tully Sugar Mill Tours
The Tully Sugar Mill is the heartbeat of Tully in far north Queensland; the sleepy town is awakens as soon as the cane season starts. Bright red and yellow cane trains chug along the roadside carrying bins full of cane, … Continue reading
Platypus
The Platypus is surely one this continents most extraordinary animals. It swims, spends a great deal of its time underwater feeding, is furred, lays eggs, has a bill like a duck and suckles its young! In fact the first specimens … Continue reading
Little File Snake – Mission Beach
An unusual animal crossed the path of Prof. Birdbrain last week. I received a call from a staff member at the Visitor Information Centre to alert me of an odd snake which appeared to have beachwashed but was still alive. … Continue reading
Papuan Frogmouth
The Papuan Frogmouth has the distinction of being the world’s largest Nightjar. Often mistakenly called an Owl these birds are widely distributed through the rainforests of the Wet Tropics and frequently heard at night. Unfortunately as is the case with … Continue reading
