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Superb Fairywren was the most conspicuous of the four species of fairywrens we saw. We also learned this bird was recently voted the favorite bird of the Australian people. (Photo by participants David & Judy Smith)
During our three weeks in Australia we found loads of birds in the Top End, forests of northern Queensland, Atherton Tableland, inland deserts, mountain rainforests, and Tasmania. Birds and mammals performed well, and we saw many of the legendary creatures for which Australia is well known. Cassowaries, lyrebirds, kookaburras, fairywrens, honeyeaters, kangaroos, platypus, and even Tasmanian Devil were encountered through our travels. We experienced quite hot temperatures in the Darwin area to start the trip, as well as near-record highs in the Georgetown deserts which curtailed some of our birding. However, it was quite pleasant in the Cairns area, on the Atherton Tableland, at O'Reilly's, which was revitalizing, and in Tasmania where we needed jackets on some mornings.
Highlights of the trip were numerous and included a female, male, and young Southern Cassowary walking into the garden, a group of Freckled Ducks on the Tableland, large Black-necked Storks strutting about, several Australian Bustards, a pair of Chestnut Rails in the mangroves, two adult Beach Thick-knees with a chick, a great close pair of Hooded Plovers, a quite colorful Wompoo Fruit-Dove, the Channel-billed Cuckoo being mobbed by miners, a Rufous Owl on a day perch, the very cute Australian Owlet-Nightjar staring at us from a hollow, three species of bizarre looking frogmouths, Blue-winged Parrots in Tasmania, a small group of Budgerigars at Georgetown, Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots landing on us, an exquisite Rainbow Pitta, three Albert's Lyrebirds flipping the leaf litter at O'Reilly's, the Tooth-billed Catbird singing at his "stage," a male Golden Bowerbird near his bower, all those brightly colored Regent Bowerbirds, nearly 40 species of honeyeaters, views of the always tough Chowchilla, both Paradise and Victoria's riflebirds, great views of males of Scarlet, Flame, Rose, and the brilliant Pink robins, and a couple of beautiful Beautiful Firetails.
Those who continued to Tasmania found all of the twelve species of birds endemic to the island and some of the prettiest landscapes we encountered.
Mammals are also a major aspect of the Australian fauna, and we weren't disappointed with a very cooperative Platypus that treated us to several views, a Spotted-tailed Quoll and Tasmanian Devils making multiple appearances, two cuddly looking Sugar Gliders, beautiful Striped Possums, eleven species of kangaroos including the smallest, Musky Rat-Kangaroo, and the largest, Eastern Gray and Red kangaroos, as well as the rarely seen and unusual Lumholtz's Tree-Kangaroo, and hundreds of large flying-foxes roosting in trees. We never connected with a good echidna despite seeing a few along the roadsides in Tasmania where we weren't able to stop.
Wildlife seems to abound throughout Australia and earned the comment that the whole country seems like a national park. Additionally, we experienced the hospitality and culture of the country that is well known, with some of the friendliest people, and friendliest birds, you will meet anywhere. It was great having Jun in the Cairns area to bird with us as well as Duncan at O'Reilly's. I hope to see all of you again in the near future.
--John
The taxonomy and ordering in this list is slightly different from our checklist as it follows the latest Clements world checklist, which was revised this fall.
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Casuariidae (Cassowaries)
Southern Cassowary with chick (Photo by participants Brian & Ginny Murphy)
Dromaiidae (Emu)
EMU (Dromaius novaehollandiae) – Susan spotted two of these large birds in the bush on our drive to Georgetown.
Anseranatidae (Magpie Goose)
MAGPIE GOOSE (Anseranas semipalmata) – This strange bird is now in its own family as recent taxonomic work has shown it is the precursor to other waterfowl around the world. We saw lots of these in the Top End and again in the Cairns area.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
PLUMED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna eytoni) – There were tons of these at Hasties Swamp on the Atherton Tableland.
WANDERING WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna arcuata) – This was the common whistling-duck in the Darwin area.
FRECKLED DUCK (Stictonetta naevosa) – It was a surprise to encounter three of these, a mostly southern Australian duck, at Hasties Swamp.
BLACK SWAN (Cygnus atratus) – There were several at Waruna Swamp and many more near Hobart in Tasmania.
AUSTRALIAN SHELDUCK (Tadorna tadornoides) – Several of these were seen on lakes in Tasmania.
RADJAH SHELDUCK (Tadorna radjah) – Many were seen in the Darwin area including at least one with a clutch of babies.
GREEN PYGMY-GOOSE (Nettapus pulchellus) – These were quite common at Fogg Dam and then we saw a few more near Georgetown.
MANED DUCK (Chenonetta jubata) – We saw this southern species in Tasmania.
PACIFIC BLACK DUCK (Anas superciliosa) – Rather common throughout the trip.
GRAY TEAL (Anas gracilis)
CHESTNUT TEAL (Anas castanea) – Another southern species that we saw on our first morning of birding in Tasmania.
PINK-EARED DUCK (Malacorhynchus membranaceus) – A couple at Hasties Swamp and two more at Georgetown were our only sightings of this odd duck.
WHITE-EYED DUCK (Aythya australis)
MUSK DUCK (Biziura lobata) – One of the strangest ducks in the world, we had a couple of them in Tasmania.
Megapodiidae (Megapodes)
AUSTRALIAN BRUSH-TURKEY (Alectura lathami) – We were thrilled to see our first, second, and maybe third. Then they started coming out of the woodwork on the Atherton Tableland and at O'Reilly's.
ORANGE-FOOTED SCRUBFOWL (Megapodius reinwardt) – Good numbers were seen around Darwin and again in the Cairns area.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
BROWN QUAIL (Coturnix ypsilophora) – Ginny spotted about eight skulking through the brush at Cumberland Dam near Georgetown. While not exactly rare these are always tough to get a look at.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
AUSTRALASIAN GREBE (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)
HOARY-HEADED GREBE (Poliocephalus poliocephalus) – We only encountered a few in Tasmania.
GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps cristatus) – There were about 100 individuals on Lake Barrine and then we saw a few more at Waruna Swamp the next day.
Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)
Australian Bustards occupy dry country in Northern Australia. We saw a fair number of them in the desert near Georgetown. (Photo by participants Brian & Ginny Murphy)
Ciconiidae (Storks)
BLACK-NECKED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) – We had nice views of a few at Fogg Dam then a couple more in the Cairns area.
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
AUSTRALASIAN GANNET (Morus serrator) – A close one went right by us on the ferry to Bruny Island.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
LITTLE BLACK CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) – We saw a couple of these at Lake Barrine then a couple more on Tasmania where one was perched in a tree in the forest!
BLACK-FACED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax fuscescens) – We ended up seeing about six of these quite local birds near the ferry landing on the way to Bruny Island.
LITTLE PIED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
AUSTRALASIAN DARTER (Anhinga novaehollandiae) – We saw several in the northern areas we visited.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
AUSTRALIAN PELICAN (Pelecanus conspicillatus) – The largest pelican in the world, they were quite common around Cairns.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
PACIFIC HERON (Ardea pacifica) – Also known as White necked Heron, we had one or two on several days of the trip.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia)
WHITE-FACED HERON (Egretta novaehollandiae)
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
PACIFIC REEF-HERON (Egretta sacra) – We did not spend a lot of time in the optimal habitat for this species but we saw it both in the Darwin area and on the Esplanade at Cairns.
PIED HERON (Egretta picata) – Quite common in some areas near Darwin.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
RUFOUS NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax caledonicus) – Our first one was flushed along Darwin River Dam on our first morning.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
Yes, that's correct, the Lumholtz's Tree-Kangaroo does indeed climb trees to reach tender leaves. It's rarely seen during the day, but we had one scale a tree just in front of us on the Atherton Tableland. (Photo by participants Brian & Ginny Murphy)
AUSTRALIAN IBIS (Threskiornis moluccus) – We saw these almost everyday until we got to Tasmania.
STRAW-NECKED IBIS (Threskiornis spinicollis)
ROYAL SPOONBILL (Platalea regia)
YELLOW-BILLED SPOONBILL (Platalea flavipes) – We had one of these rather uncommon spoonbills at one of the dams near Georgetown.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
PACIFIC BAZA (Aviceda subcristata) – Our only sighting was a fly-by at Centenary Lakes in Cairns.
WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE (Aquila audax) – We saw a couple around O'Reilly's then at least one more on Tasmania where the subspecies "fleayi" is endemic.
SWAMP HARRIER (Circus approximans) – We saw several in Tasmania with one perched on a fence post next to the road.
SPOTTED HARRIER (Circus assimilis) – We had pretty good views of this very handsome raptor on the Atherton Tableland as it coursed over the pastures.
GRAY GOSHAWK (Accipiter novaehollandiae) – We saw a couple including one on a nest in Cairns and a calling pair at O'Reilly's but our best view may have been the white morph individual at Mountain Valley in Tasmania.
BROWN GOSHAWK (Accipiter fasciatus) – We saw one going after the Barking Owl in Darwin.
COLLARED SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter cirrocephalus)
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans)
WHISTLING KITE (Haliastur sphenurus) – Quite common.
BRAHMINY KITE (Haliastur indus)
WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucogaster) – Oddly, both of our sightings were well inland.
Otididae (Bustards)
AUSTRALIAN BUSTARD (Ardeotis australis) – We had several good views of this regal looking bird as it walked through the desert landscape with is billed slightly raised.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
RED-NECKED CRAKE (Rallina tricolor) – Good views of two individuals at Cassowary House as they came to the water feature in the forest.
BUFF-BANDED RAIL (Gallirallus philippensis)
WHITE-BROWED CRAKE (Porzana cinerea) – We spotted two of these secretive rails at Fogg Dam.
CHESTNUT RAIL (Eulabeornis castaneoventris) – Most managed to get a fair view of two of these rarities as they creeped through the mangroves near Darwin. It was a hot afternoon which was made more tolerable by this sighting.
PURPLE SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio) – These were spread out but quite numerous in places.
DUSKY MOORHEN (Gallinula tenebrosa)
TASMANIAN NATIVE-HEN (Tribonyx mortierii) – These high-engery pasture loving species were quite common in a few of the areas we traveled in Tasmania.
EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)
Gruidae (Cranes)
SARUS CRANE (Grus antigone) – We saw about ten individuals in a field with some Brolgas on the Tableland.
BROLGA (Grus rubicunda) – We had a few on the Atherton Tableland.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
BUSH THICK-KNEE (Burhinus grallarius) – This interesting looking species was rather numerous in a few places.
BEACH THICK-KNEE (Esacus magnirostris) – Jun found us a pair with a fair-sized chick in the mangroves near Cairns. This is an oddly-shaped and quite uncommon bird throughout the northern part of Australia.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
PIED STILT (Himantopus leucocephalus) – Many of the waterholes had at least a handful of these.
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
Pied Oystercatchers (Photo by participants David & Judy Smith)
SOOTY OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus fuliginosus) – We saw a couple on the sandy spit between north and south Bruny Island in Tasmania.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BANDED LAPWING (Vanellus tricolor) – Our scan of a pasture in northern Tasmania found about six of these handsome birds.
MASKED LAPWING (Vanellus miles) – We saw these everyday except our full day in the mountains at O'Reilly's.
LESSER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius mongolus) – We only saw a few near Darwin as we missed the good tide in Cairns.
RED-KNEED DOTTEREL (Erythrogonys cinctus)
HOODED PLOVER (Thinornis cucullatus) – We had great views of a pair of these gorgeous shorebirds on a beach on Bruny Island. This species is on the endangered list because of a loss of habitat and because it favors the same beaches that humans enjoy.
BLACK-FRONTED DOTTEREL (Elseyornis melanops) – There were an amazing 25 individuals at Cumberland Dam near Georgetown. This is another quite handsome shorebird.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
COMB-CRESTED JACANA (Irediparra gallinacea)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
TEREK SANDPIPER (Xenus cinereus) – Our only one was a distant bird at Darwin. I was counting on seeing these well at Cairns but the east winds blew the water way in to the tidal flat several hours before high tide and chased all the shorebirds.
GRAY-TAILED TATTLER (Tringa brevipes) – There were a handful on the beaches near Darwin.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – This was one we still found at Cairns with the high tide.
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis)
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus)
FAR EASTERN CURLEW (Numenius madagascariensis) – This long-legged wader stuck around with the high water at Cairns. It does have an impressive bill.
Crimson Rosella (Photo by participants Brian & Ginny Murphy)
BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica) – There were lots of these on the Cairns foreshore.
GREAT KNOT (Calidris tenuirostris) – We did mange to see many on the Esplanade at Cairns where a few still showed a hint of breeding color on the chest.
SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER (Calidris acuminata) – These were quite common on the tidal flats and at the dams around Georgetown.
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) – The big influx of migrants had not yet occurred but we had several at Cairns.
RED-NECKED STINT (Calidris ruficollis) – This was the common small sandpiper we encountered.
LATHAM'S SNIPE (Gallinago hardwickii) – We did find two of these below the blind at Hasties Swamp.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
SILVER GULL (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) – Quite common and the most widespread gull in Australia.
KELP GULL (Larus dominicanus) – We saw this dark-backed gull along the coast on Bruny Island.
LITTLE TERN (Sternula albifrons) – We saw a few flying about on the wharf at Darwin then again at Cairns. This is the equivalent of the North American Least Tern.
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica)
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia)
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) – These were quite common over the water ways, especially in the Darwin area.
GREAT CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bergii)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
WHITE-HEADED PIGEON (Columba leucomela) – There were a good number seen around Chamber's Wildlife Lodge where they were coming to the roof to drink in the early morning.
SPOTTED DOVE (Streptopelia chinensis) [I]
BROWN CUCKOO-DOVE (Macropygia phasianella)
EMERALD DOVE (Chalcophaps indica) – A rather fancy colored dove, there were a couple at the feeders at Kingfisher Park.
COMMON BRONZEWING (Phaps chalcoptera) – We had nice looks a a few that came to drink at the waterhole south of Georgetown.
BRUSH BRONZEWING (Phaps elegans) – We didn't get much here, just some fly-bys that flushed off the road near our lodge in Tasmania.
CRESTED PIGEON (Ocyphaps lophotes) – These were quite common in the drier areas of the Tableland and at Georgetown.
SQUATTER PIGEON (Geophaps scripta) – We had great looks at several individuals of this ground-dwelling pigeon around Georgetown.
WONGA PIGEON (Leucosarcia melanoleuca) – There were usually two or three on the lawn at O'Reilly's early in the morning. They seemed to be less bold than in the past and easily flushed in to the forest.
DIAMOND DOVE (Geopelia cuneata) – This tiny dove showed well at Georgetown where a few came to drink at the waterholes.
PEACEFUL DOVE (Geopelia placida)
BAR-SHOULDERED DOVE (Geopelia humeralis)
WOMPOO FRUIT-DOVE (Ptilinopus magnificus) – We had great scope views of one perched in a tall tree near Cassowary House then another in a fruiting tree below O'Reilly's. They were very quiet this year in the rainforest.
SUPERB FRUIT-DOVE (Ptilinopus superbus) [*]
ROSE-CROWNED FRUIT-DOVE (Ptilinopus regina) [*]
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon (Photo by participants Brian & Ginny Murphy)
TOPKNOT PIGEON (Lopholaimus antarcticus) – We had a few fly-by flocks then a few in the scope at O'Reilly's.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
ORIENTAL CUCKOO (Cuculus optatus) – On our first afternoon in Darwin, we found this rather uncommon migrant in the Botanic Gardens.
PALLID CUCKOO (Cacomantis pallidus) – We had nice scope views of a responsive individual at the lodge in Tasmania.
BRUSH CUCKOO (Cacomantis variolosus)
FAN-TAILED CUCKOO (Cacomantis flabelliformis) – After hearing a few, we finally caught up with on on our last day on Tasmania.
SHINING BRONZE-CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx lucidus) – We heard a few at O'Reilly's but finally laid eyes on one in Tasmania.
LITTLE BRONZE-CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx minutillus) – This was the juvenile plumaged bird we saw along the levee at Fogg Dam during our breakfast.
LITTLE BRONZE-CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx minutillus russatus) – Also, known as "Gould's Bronze-Cuckoo" we had a pretty good look at one along Black Mountain Road before we hustled back for the Cassowary.
AUSTRALIAN KOEL (Eudynamys cyanocephalus) – We saw a large female koel being harassed by Blue-faced Honeyeaters at Darwin River Dam.
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO (Scythrops novaehollandiae) – It was a real surprise to spot this very large cuckoo being mobbed by a group of argumentative Noisy Miners right in the middle of the town of Canungra.
PHEASANT COUCAL (Centropus phasianinus) – The largest of the Australian cuckoos, we saw a couple in the drier areas near the Tableland.
Strigidae (Owls)
RUFOUS OWL (Ninox rufa) – Jun spotted this quite uncommon large owl in the large mango tree near the Esplanade in Cairns. It was hidden in the foliage amongst imperial-pigeon nests.
BARKING OWL (Ninox connivens) – We had great looks at a pair during the day at the Botanic Gardens in Darwin. One of the calling birds attracted the attention of a Brown Goshawk that perched nearby.
SOUTHERN BOOBOOK (Ninox novaeseelandiae) [*]
Aegothelidae (Owlet-Nightjars)
This Black-fronted Dotterel clearly had his eye on a soaring kite or eagle in the Georgetown area. (Photo by participants Brian & Ginny Murphy)
Podargidae (Frogmouths)
TAWNY FROGMOUTH (Podargus strigoides) – We saw a pair with two fair-sized young near a nest in the park in Georgetown. Then we had another on a nest in a tree right in the park in Canungra.
MARBLED FROGMOUTH (PLUMED) (Podargus ocellatus plumiferus) – It took a very short time to find this very local and uncommon species in the forest near O'Reilly's during our nightbirding foray. This is a species that is likely to be split into a few species as the ranges are spread all over the south Pacific.
PAPUAN FROGMOUTH (Podargus papuensis) – We had a great scope view of one on a day roost near Julatten. This is the largest of the three frogmouths in Australia.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
LARGE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus macrurus) – They were quiet for awhile but we ended up getting a nice look at a perched and calling bird in the spotlight outside of Darwin.
Apodidae (Swifts)
AUSTRALIAN SWIFTLET (Aerodramus terraereginae) – We saw a handful flying about in Cairns.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
AZURE KINGFISHER (Ceyx azureus) – We didn't get a great look at this small kingfisher but we saw one at our Platypus spot and another at Kingfisher Park.
LAUGHING KOOKABURRA (Dacelo novaeguineae) – One of the iconic sounds of Australia, we saw and heard several in southern Queensland and Tasmania. This is one of the larger kingfishers in the world.
BLUE-WINGED KOOKABURRA (Dacelo leachii) – We ended up seeing a few in the Darwin area and again in the dry country near Georgetown.
FOREST KINGFISHER (Todiramphus macleayii) – Our first ones were in the botanic gardens then we saw a few perched atop sprinkler heads near Darwin River Dam.
RED-BACKED KINGFISHER (Todiramphus pyrrhopygius) – After hearing one calling near Cumberland Dam near Georgetown, we got great close looks at this dry country species.
COLLARED KINGFISHER (Todiramphus chloris) – Also, known as Mangrove Kingfisher we found one near some ....mangroves in a suburb of Darwin.
SACRED KINGFISHER (Todiramphus sanctus) – This widespread kingfisher occupies a lot of habitats in Australia.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
RAINBOW BEE-EATER (Merops ornatus) – A quite colorful species we saw several in the northern parts of our journeys.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
DOLLARBIRD (Eurystomus orientalis)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
AUSTRALIAN KESTREL (Falco cenchroides)
AUSTRALIAN HOBBY (Falco longipennis) – We had one perched near the lake we birded on our first morning in Tasmania.
BROWN FALCON (Falco berigora)
Cacatuidae (Cockatoos)
RED-TAILED BLACK-COCKATOO (Calyptorhynchus banksii) – After our first at Leaning Tree Lagoon outside of Darwin we saw many in the Georgetown area.
YELLOW-TAILED BLACK-COCKATOO (Calyptorhynchus funereus) – These loud birds were encountered a few times in Tasmania. This is the most southerly of the several species of black-cockatoos.
The Spotted Catbird, one of the bowerbirds, is endemic to the rainforests of the Atherton Tableland of northern Queensland. We had good luck with this species at a couple of localities.(Photo by participants Brian and Ginny Murphy)
LITTLE CORELLA (Cacatua sanguinea) – We saw several in the Darwin area.
SULPHUR-CRESTED COCKATOO (Cacatua galerita) – This is one of the birds that we saw every single day of the trip. A quite handsome parrot but I wouldn't want them outside my window in the early morning.
Psittaculidae (Old World Parrots)
AUSTRALIAN KING-PARROT (Alisterus scapularis) – We had some pretty good views of males and females at O'Reilly's where they lit on most of our heads at some point.
RED-WINGED PARROT (Aprosmictus erythropterus)
BLUE-WINGED PARROT (Neophema chrysostoma) – This small and elusive parrot flew over us near Cradle Mountain and landed in a dead tree for a scope view. This is certainly an easy one to miss.
GREEN ROSELLA (Platycercus caledonicus) – This Tasmanian endemic showed well on several occasions.
CRIMSON ROSELLA (Platycercus elegans) – A fixture at O'Reilly's, it was only a question as to how many one could get within reach.
PALE-HEADED ROSELLA (Platycercus adscitus) – This drier country rosella performed well in the Georgetown area where we saw a few come to the pools to drink.
DOUBLE-EYED FIG-PARROT (Cyclopsitta diophthalma) – We heard several zooming past overhead but had nice views of one working on a fig at Cassowary House just off the veranda.
BUDGERIGAR (Melopsittacus undulatus) – It was quite a surprise to see these tiny but familiar parakeets at Georgetown. A quite nomadic species this was not a big year for them in the areas we visited so we were fortunate to see them at Cumberland Dam. There were about eight individuals which could have stayed in the scope a bit longer.
MUSK LORIKEET (Glossopsitta concinna) – David, Judy and I had one or two in the trees outside the Hobart airport terminal in Tasmania on our departure day. We were hoping for a late save on Swift Parrot but had to settle for these.
LITTLE LORIKEET (Glossopsitta pusilla) – We had a single fly-over while on the trail at O'Reilly's.
VARIED LORIKEET (Psitteuteles versicolor) – This was a pretty good year for this species in the Darwin area. We saw several tight groups shooting overhead and finally got some perched ones right overheard at Darwin River Dam.
RAINBOW LORIKEET (Trichoglossus haematodus) – These almost over do it with the colors. Still a pretty great bird.
RAINBOW LORIKEET (RED-COLLARED) (Trichoglossus haematodus rubritorquis) – This is the form we saw in the Top End.
SCALY-BREASTED LORIKEET (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus) – We had nice views of several in a flowering tree at the rest stop in Mt. Molloy.
Pittidae (Pittas)
NOISY PITTA (Pitta versicolor) – After going back and forth trying to see this difficult bird, Jun spotted it through a tiny hole in the vegetation and we got the scope on a calling bird that sat still for several minutes.
RAINBOW PITTA (Pitta iris) – We had great looks at a calling bird that Shirley spotted on a limb just off the ground at Howard Springs. This colorful bird is one of the easier ones to see in a very difficult family.
Menuridae (Lyrebirds)
Albert's Lyrebird (Photo by participants Brian & Ginny Murphy)
Ptilonorhynchidae (Bowerbirds)
SPOTTED CATBIRD (Ailuroedus melanotis) – We enjoyed close views of this odd bowerbird on a few occasions on the Atherton Tableland. We saw them well at Chamber's then again at Cassowary House where it came in to the fruit.
GREEN CATBIRD (Ailuroedus crassirostris) – The sweet song of the Green Catbird was a common sound at O'Reilly's. Actually, the call is more reminiscent of a cat being strangled.
TOOTH-BILLED CATBIRD (Scenopoeetes dentirostris) – We had a great experience with the "Stage Maker" just above his bower at Lake Barrine. The male sang from a perch where he could watch his "stage" of silvery bottomed leaves nicely arranged on a cleared patch of forest floor. Who could resist that?
GOLDEN BOWERBIRD (Amblyornis newtoniana) – Another fantastic experience was at the bower of this gorgeous bird. The double maypole structure is much more elaborate than the catbird. We had wonderful views of this forest gem.
REGENT BOWERBIRD (Sericulus chrysocephalus) – One of the most striking birds anywhere, they are quite common around the lodge at O'Reilly's.
SATIN BOWERBIRD (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus) – Males and females appeared near our verandas at O'Reilly's. We saw a couple of intricate bowers that were decorated with blue items.
GREAT BOWERBIRD (Chlamydera nuchalis) – We saw several of these around Georgetown but the best experience was seeing the bower in the dry river bed that was built up above the sand and a tunnel was formed instead of the normal avenue as the sticks came together at the top. The fact that it had completely moved the bower from it original location in less than two weeks was amazing.
Climacteridae (Australasian Treecreepers)
RED-BROWED TREECREEPER (Climacteris erythrops) – We had rather close views of this quite uncommon treecreeper in the drier forest near O'Reilly's.
BROWN TREECREEPER (Climacteris picumnus) – This 'black-backed" race was seen a couple of times near Georgetown.
Maluridae (Fairywrens)
VARIEGATED FAIRYWREN (Malurus lamberti) – We had good views of this colorful bird near O'Reilly's.
LOVELY FAIRYWREN (Malurus amabilis) – We found a family group of about four birds at the roadside park at the north end of the Tableland. This species has one of the most restrictive ranges of the fairywrens.
SUPERB FAIRYWREN (Malurus cyaneus) – Recently named the favorite bird of Australia, this tiny blue wren is commonly seen around parks and gardens in eastern Australia. We saw them well at O'Reilly's but they were even more conspicuous in Tasmania.
RED-BACKED FAIRYWREN (Malurus melanocephalus) – We enjoyed close views of two males and females just out the opening of the bird blind at Hasties Swamp. The males are stunning with the bright red back set against the black background.
Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters)
EASTERN SPINEBILL (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris) – A quite colorful honeyeater we saw a few in southern Queensland and Tasmania.
GRACEFUL HONEYEATER (Meliphaga gracilis)
YELLOW-SPOTTED HONEYEATER (Meliphaga notata) – A couple of them came to the sugar water at Cassowary House.
LEWIN'S HONEYEATER (Meliphaga lewinii) – This was a rather common sight and sound in the higher elevations of the Tableland and again in southern Queensland.
BRIDLED HONEYEATER (Lichenostomus frenatus) – We had good views at the Crater with perhaps the best view being during the 15 minutes when the tree-kangaroo, Platypus and Chowchilla all appeared.
This exquisite male Pink Robin was seen just outside our cabins at Mountain Valley in Tasmania. (Photo by participants David & Judy Smith)
VARIED HONEYEATER (Lichenostomus versicolor) – We had nice looks in the trees in the parks near the Esplanade in Cairns.
MANGROVE HONEYEATER (Lichenostomus fasciogularis) – This quite local species appeared very quickly for us in the mangroves near Brisbane.
YELLOW HONEYEATER (Lichenostomus flavus)
WHITE-GAPED HONEYEATER (Lichenostomus unicolor) – This honeyeater is quite common in the Top End.
YELLOW-THROATED HONEYEATER (Lichenostomus flavicollis) – Sometimes this is one of the tougher Tasmanian endemics to see well but we had several nice encounters.
YELLOW-TINTED HONEYEATER (Lichenostomus flavescens) – There were several seen as they came to drink at the waterholes in the Georgetown area.
GRAY-FRONTED HONEYEATER (Lichenostomus plumulus) – Another local specialty in the Georgetown area, we enjoyed close views of a pair feeding a fledgling.
BELL MINER (Manorina melanophrys) – We got right in the middle of a colony of these interesting honeyeaters near O'Reilly's. These birds feed on the sugary substance on eucalyptus leaves that is produced by lerps. The Bell Miners are aggressive towards other birds to protect there food source and essentially "farm" their own food.
NOISY MINER (Manorina melanocephala) – We saw many of these argumentative birds at the Daisy Hill Park.
YELLOW-THROATED MINER (Manorina flavigula) – Seen near Darwin and again at Georgetown we also saw a pair at a nest.
LITTLE WATTLEBIRD (Anthochaera chrysoptera) – We only encountered this species in Tasmania where we found them near the ferry landing.
YELLOW WATTLEBIRD (Anthochaera paradoxa) – One of the largest of all the honeyeaters, it took some looking before we got satisfying views of this Tasmanian endemic. The males are appreciably bigger than the females.
BROWN-BACKED HONEYEATER (Ramsayornis modestus) – A pair showed well in Centenary Lakes at Cairns.
BAR-BREASTED HONEYEATER (Ramsayornis fasciatus) – A quite irregular species, we saw several around Darwin River Dam where they were singing up a storm.
RUFOUS-BANDED HONEYEATER (Conopophila albogularis)
RUFOUS-THROATED HONEYEATER (Conopophila rufogularis) – The small rufous throat was difficult to see as these came to drink at the waterholes near Georgetown.
WHITE-FRONTED CHAT (Epthianura albifrons)
DUSKY MYZOMELA (Myzomela obscura) – This is the bird that should have been named "Brown" Honeyeater.
RED-HEADED MYZOMELA (Myzomela erythrocephala) – A mangrove endemic, we saw several of them in the appropriate habitat near Darwin.
SCARLET MYZOMELA (Myzomela sanguinolenta) – This small but bright red honeyeater was in good numbers on the Tableland where we saw a few around Chambers.
BROWN HONEYEATER (Lichmera indistincta) – Quite common in the north this species is actually gray and yellowish.
CRESCENT HONEYEATER (Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus) – Good views of one or two in northern Tasmania.
NEW HOLLAND HONEYEATER (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)
WHITE-NAPED HONEYEATER (Melithreptus lunatus) – Our best views were those coming to drink at Charley's Pond below O'Reilly's.
BLACK-HEADED HONEYEATER (Melithreptus affinis) – Another Tasmanian endemic, we saw these on all of our full days on the island state.
WHITE-THROATED HONEYEATER (Melithreptus albogularis)
STRONG-BILLED HONEYEATER (Melithreptus validirostris) – This is often one of the trickier of the endemics of Tasmania. After getting good views of a couple we had some quite close ones right overhead in the forest near Sheffield.
The Forty-spotted Pardalote is the rarest of the twelve endemic birds to Tasmania. We ended up seeing about 200 spots worth of this specialty. (Photo by David & Judy Smith)
LITTLE FRIARBIRD (Philemon citreogularis)
HELMETED FRIARBIRD (HORNBILL) (Philemon buceroides yorki) – We saw a few around Cairns and at Cassowary House. Some taxonomists split this from the form in New Guinea and call this Hornbill Friarbird.
SILVER-CROWNED FRIARBIRD (Philemon argenticeps) – It was hot but we had some nice looks at this local specialty outside of Darwin.
NOISY FRIARBIRD (Philemon corniculatus)
MACLEAY'S HONEYEATER (Xanthotis macleayanus) – An unusual honeyeater, there were a few that made appearances at the sugar water at Cassowary House.
Pardalotidae (Pardalotes)
SPOTTED PARDALOTE (Pardalotus punctatus) – We had nice looks at O'Reilly's and again in Tasmania of this tiny bird.
FORTY-SPOTTED PARDALOTE (Pardalotus quadragintus) – The rarest of Tasmania's endemics we had wonderful close views of a few. I figured we saw a total of about 200 spots.
RED-BROWED PARDALOTE (Pardalotus rubricatus) – We finally caught up with this dry country bird on our last morning at Georgetown.
STRIATED PARDALOTE (Pardalotus striatus) – We had a few good looks with the best views in Tasmania.
Acanthizidae (Thornbills and Allies)
FERNWREN (Oreoscopus gutturalis) – We actually had this tough to see bird in the scope for a few moments but it was the same time we were watching the tree-kangaroo and just after the Platypus so we were distracted. Everything happened at once.
YELLOW-THROATED SCRUBWREN (Sericornis citreogularis) – These were common and conspicuous at O'Reilly's.
One of the prettiest shorebirds in the world, the Hooded Plover is endangered due to its tendency to favor the same beautiful sandy beaches that humans enjoy. Tasmania is still one of the strongholds for this species. (Photo by participants David & Judy Smith)
TASMANIAN SCRUBWREN (Sericornis humilis) – Always a skulker we had a few good views of this endemic to the island.
ATHERTON SCRUBWREN (Sericornis keri) – We enjoyed nice views of singing individuals in the higher elevations of the Atherton Tableland. Another local specialty.
LARGE-BILLED SCRUBWREN (Sericornis magnirostra)
SCRUBTIT (Acanthornis magna) – Great views at what is often the toughest of Tasmania's endemics to find. We had a few singing in the northern part of the island.
STRIATED FIELDWREN (Calamanthus fuliginosus) – Great scope views were had of this intricately marked species near Cradle Mountain as it sang from atop a large stump.
BUFF-RUMPED THORNBILL (Acanthiza reguloides)
MOUNTAIN THORNBILL (Acanthiza katherina)
BROWN THORNBILL (Acanthiza pusilla) – Good numbers in the O'Reilly's area.
TASMANIAN THORNBILL (Acanthiza ewingii) – Another of the endemics to Tasmania we had to sort through the Brown Thornbills to find this similar one.
YELLOW-RUMPED THORNBILL (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa) – David spotted a couple of these at our pit stop in Bothwell in the middle of Tasmania.
YELLOW THORNBILL (Acanthiza nana) – This is a species that likes the tall trees in the mixed rainforest/eucalypt forest near O'Reilly's. We had rather close views of a couple low ones near the waterhole.
STRIATED THORNBILL (Acanthiza lineata) – We had a noisy group of 4-5 birds right overhead along the Duck Creek Road near O'Reilly's.
WEEBILL (Smicrornis brevirostris) – One of the smallest birds in Australia we saw them in Darwin and again in the dry country around Georgetown.
GREEN-BACKED GERYGONE (Gerygone chloronota)
FAIRY GERYGONE (Gerygone palpebrosa) – This cute little guy popped up on cue in the viney tangles on the way to Georgetown.
WHITE-THROATED GERYGONE (Gerygone olivacea) – A beautiful singer, we saw one right overhead in a large tree at Georgetown.
LARGE-BILLED GERYGONE (Gerygone magnirostris)
BROWN GERYGONE (Gerygone mouki)
MANGROVE GERYGONE (Gerygone levigaster) – A few of us saw this mangrove denizen in the HOT mangroves at Darwin.
Pomatostomidae (Pseudo-Babblers)
We saw a few of these Red-headed Myzomelas in the Darwin area, where it is a mangrove specialist. (Photo by participants Brian & Ginny Murphy)
Orthonychidae (Logrunners)
AUSTRALIAN LOGRUNNER (Orthonyx temminckii) – We saw several pairs of these odd birds in the forest at O'Reilly's as they scratched through the leaf litter kicking out leaves with a sideways thrust of the feet. This and the following species are the closest living relatives to the lyrebirds.
CHOWCHILLA (Orthonyx spaldingii) – Jun spotted two of these sometimes difficult ground foragers while we were enjoying the Lumholtz's Tree-Kangaroo near the Crater. We had pretty good views of the orange-throated female as it kicked leaves back through the vegetation.
Psophodidae (Whipbirds and Wedgebills)
EASTERN WHIPBIRD (Psophodes olivaceus) – O'Reilly's is certainly the place to see this usual skulker. It is one of the only places where you can see this shy bird in the open. The male's distinctive call and responding female are one of the best known bird sounds of eastern Australia.
Machaerirhynchidae (Boatbills)
YELLOW-BREASTED BOATBILL (Machaerirhynchus flaviventer) – We had great views of this small but distinctive flycatcher at Chambers.
Artamidae (Woodswallows)
BLACK-FACED WOODSWALLOW (Artamus cinereus) – We only had a few on the wires coming out of Fogg Dam.
DUSKY WOODSWALLOW (Artamus cyanopterus) – A mostly southern woodswallow, we saw a couple of these on Bruny Island on our last day.
Cracticidae (Bellmagpies and Allies)
SILVER-BACKED BUTCHERBIRD (Cracticus argenteus argenteus) – A recent split from Gray Butcherbird we saw two of these near Darwin River Dam.
PIED BUTCHERBIRD (Cracticus nigrogularis) – This was the most widespread and most common butcherbird we encountered.
BLACK BUTCHERBIRD (Cracticus quoyi) – We saw one on our first afternoon near the airport in Darwin then again in Cairns.
AUSTRALASIAN MAGPIE (Gymnorhina tibicen)
PIED CURRAWONG (Strepera graculina)
BLACK CURRAWONG (Strepera fuliginosa) – These were seen daily on Tasmania with our best view being the one at the picnic table near Cradle Mountain.
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
BARRED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina lineata) – Near our lunch spot at Julatten we checked out a fruiting fig tree that had several of these sharp birds feeding in it.
BLACK-FACED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina novaehollandiae)
WHITE-BELLIED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina papuensis) – Fairly common around Cairns.
WHITE-WINGED TRILLER (Lalage tricolor)
VARIED TRILLER (Lalage leucomela) – We ran into several in the Darwin area.
COMMON CICADABIRD (Edolisoma tenuirostre)
Pachycephalidae (Whistlers and Allies)
RUFOUS SHRIKE-THRUSH (Colluricincla megarhyncha) – Also known as Little Shrike-Thursh we saw it both near Darwin and again at Kingfisher Park.
GRAY SHRIKE-THRUSH (Colluricincla harmonica) – A quite common voice of the southern Australian forests, we saw and heard them at O'Reilly's and then daily in Tasmania.
One of the characteristic sounds of the Australian bush comes from the kookaburra. This Blue-winged Kookaburra, a close relative of the better known Laughing, inhabits the paperbark forests of northern Australia. (Photo by participants Brian & Ginny Murphy)
OLIVE WHISTLER (Pachycephala olivacea) – We had a pair at Mountain Valley in Tasmania. This is a bird that is mostly associated with the Antarctic Beach forest.
GOLDEN WHISTLER (Pachycephala pectoralis) – Quite obvious at O'Reilly's and again in Tasmania.
BLACK-TAILED WHISTLER (Pachycephala melanura) – Mostly known as Mangrove Golden Whistler we had a nice responsive male along the Adelaide River.
GRAY WHISTLER (GRAY) (Pachycephala simplex simplex) – Known as the Brown Whistler by most Australians this is the form that is found in the Top End.
RUFOUS WHISTLER (Pachycephala rufiventris)
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
OLIVE-BACKED ORIOLE (Oriolus sagittatus) – There were several seen in the trees around one of the waterholes at Georgetown.
GREEN ORIOLE (Oriolus flavocinctus) – Another common voice in the forests around Darwin and again at Centenary Lakes in Cairns.
AUSTRALASIAN FIGBIRD (Sphecotheres vieilloti)
Dicruridae (Drongos)
SPANGLED DRONGO (Dicrurus bracteatus) – We saw a few of these scattered about in the Top End and in northern Queensland.
Rhipiduridae (Fantails)
NORTHERN FANTAIL (Rhipidura rufiventris)
WILLIE-WAGTAIL (Rhipidura leucophrys) – One of the most widespread birds in Australia we saw them in many habitats.
RUFOUS FANTAIL (Rhipidura rufifrons) – These were rather common and confiding around O'Reilly's.
ARAFURA FANTAIL (Rhipidura dryas) – This mangrove specialist, formerly lumped with Rufous Fantail, popped up for us in the mangroves along the Adelaide River.
GRAY FANTAIL (Rhipidura albiscapa) – We saw many of these including one building its cone shaped nest.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
WHITE-EARED MONARCH (Carterornis leucotis) – We had a singing bird at Lake Barrine that got away from us too quickly.
BLACK-FACED MONARCH (Monarcha melanopsis)
SPECTACLED MONARCH (Symposiachrus trivirgatus) – This is a migrant that recently returned from the North.
PIED MONARCH (Arses kaupi) – We had nice views of this sharply marked bird at the Curtain Fig Tree. We saw it clutching to the trunks of large trees as is its habit.
MAGPIE-LARK (Grallina cyanoleuca) – Another bird we had nearly everyday of the trip
LEADEN FLYCATCHER (Myiagra rubecula)
BROAD-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Myiagra ruficollis) – We saw a couple of these northern specialties at Fogg Dam.
SATIN FLYCATCHER (Myiagra cyanoleuca) – A true southern species we had a nice look at a male in the northwest part of Tasmania.
PAPERBARK FLYCATCHER (Myiagra nana) – We saw these around Fogg Dam and again near Cumberland Dam.
SHINING FLYCATCHER (Myiagra alecto) – The males and females are quite different looking. The male, which we saw at Darwin River Dam, is all shiny black while the female, seen near Darwin and at Darwin River Dam, is cinnamon-backed with white underparts.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
TORRESIAN CROW (Corvus orru) – This was the common corvid we saw through most of the mainland part of Australia.
FOREST RAVEN (Corvus tasmanicus) – Quite common on Tasmania, it is the only corvid on the island.
Corcoracidae (White-winged Chough and Apostlebird)
APOSTLEBIRD (Struthidea cinerea) – We saw several flocks of these near Georgetown and surprisingly, there were always twelve of them!
Paradisaeidae (Birds-of-Paradise)
The Whiptail, or more aptly named Pretty-faced Wallaby, inhabits grassy slopes in eastern Australia. We saw several in the eucalypt forests below O'Reilly's Guest House. (Photo by participants Brian & Ginny Murphy)
VICTORIA'S RIFLEBIRD (Ptiloris victoriae) – These were quite vocal on the Atherton Tableland. Our first were both males and females that we viewed at the car park at Chambers. We also saw them grabbing some fruit at Cassowary House.
Petroicidae (Australasian Robins)
LEMON-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Microeca flavigaster) – This little guy is quite vocal for such a small bird. We had a few in the Darwin area.
SCARLET ROBIN (Petroica boodang) – We had nice looks at a nicely colored male at Mountain Valley Lodge.
FLAME ROBIN (Petroica phoenicea) – We saw both females and males at Mountain Valley. This species seems to be found in heavier forest than Scarlet Robin.
ROSE ROBIN (Petroica rosea) – We had great views of a brilliant male at O'Reilly's.
PINK ROBIN (Petroica rodinogaster) – One of the prettiest birds in Tasmania, we saw a couple of males in the Mountain Valley area.
DUSKY ROBIN (Melanodryas vittata) – Not one of the most colorful birds in Tasmania, we saw a few of these Tasmania endemics including an adult feeding a young.
PALE-YELLOW ROBIN (Tregellasia capito) – This is another bird that tends to always perch sideways on thin vertical tree trunks.
EASTERN YELLOW ROBIN (Eopsaltria australis)
MANGROVE ROBIN (Eopsaltria pulverulenta) – We saw two that started singing in the mangroves near Darwin.
GRAY-HEADED ROBIN (Heteromyias cinereifrons) – A species that is endemic to the Atherton Tableland they were conspicuous outside the rooms at Chamber's Wildlife Lodge.
Alaudidae (Larks)
AUSTRALASIAN BUSHLARK (Mirafra javanica)
SKY LARK (Alauda arvensis) – We saw a few in display flight in the open areas of Tasmania. [I]
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
WELCOME SWALLOW (Hirundo neoxena) – Except for the Darwin area where this species does not occur, we saw them just about everywhere else.
FAIRY MARTIN (Petrochelidon ariel) – Our best views were flying about the waterholes in the Georgetown area.
TREE MARTIN (Petrochelidon nigricans) – These were seen spotily around our route.
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
AUSTRALIAN REED-WARBLER (Acrocephalus australis) – We saw a few in the reeds at Fogg Dam. The song and habits of this bird is reminiscent of our Marsh Wren.
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
TAWNY GRASSBIRD (Megalurus timoriensis) – Our only one was perched up in the grass at Fogg Dam.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
GOLDEN-HEADED CISTICOLA (Cisticola exilis) – A number of these were seen at Fogg Dam.
Zosteropidae (White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies)
The colorful Rainbow Bee-eater is a migrant, but the species had returned in good numbers during our trip. (Photo by participants Brian & Ginny Murphy)
SILVER-EYE (Zosterops lateralis)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
OLIVE-TAILED THRUSH (Zoothera lunulata) – This and the following species tend to separate out by elevation but O'Reilly's is a site where both can occur in the same area. We had this one singing quietly along the trails.
RUSSET-TAILED THRUSH (Zoothera heinei) – We convinced ourselves the one we saw at O'Reilly's had less scaling on the back and rump.
EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula) [I]
Sturnidae (Starlings)
METALLIC STARLING (Aplonis metallica) – Nice views of many at the nesting colony near the Cairns airport.
COMMON MYNA (Acridotheres tristis) [I]
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]
Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers)
MISTLETOEBIRD (Dicaeum hirundinaceum) – We saw a few of these colorful birds calling from the treetops.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
OLIVE-BACKED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris jugularis) – We finally connected with this nectar eater at Kingfisher Park.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
AUSTRALASIAN PIPIT (AUSTRALIAN) (Anthus novaeseelandiae australis) – There were a couple on the ground in the clearing at Mountain Valley.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
EUROPEAN GREENFINCH (Chloris chloris) – One was seen by some of us in the town of Wilmot in Tasmania. [I]
EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis) – These were seen each day in Tasmania. [I]
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
BEAUTIFUL FIRETAIL (Stagonopleura bella) – A quite uncommon bird that is easy to miss, we had good views of one or two along the forested river on our first full day in Tasmania.
RED-BROWED FIRETAIL (Neochmia temporalis) – These were commonly seen on the lawn at O'Reilly's in the morning as well as on the Atherton Tableland.
CRIMSON FINCH (Neochmia phaeton) – A good number were seen at Fogg Dam.
ZEBRA FINCH (Taeniopygia guttata) – This familiar bird was seen around Georgetown. Much better to see it in the wild than in a pet shop.
DOUBLE-BARRED FINCH (Taeniopygia bichenovii) – A very sharply marked species with those intricate wing markings, we saw them well in the Georgetown area.
MASKED FINCH (Poephila personata) – Our first was on the fence with the following species, then we saw a couple more in the Georgetown area.
Blue-faced Honeyeater (Photo by participants Brian & Ginny Murphy)
BLACK-THROATED FINCH (Poephila cincta) – A specialty of the Georgetown area we saw a few coming to drink at one of the dams.
SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA (Lonchura punctulata) – This was formerly known as Nutmeg Mannikin. [I]
MAMMALS
SHORT-BEAKED ECHIDNA (Tachyglossus aculeatus) – This odd monotreme never gave us a good view. We saw a couple along the roads where we could not stop and another got into the thick vegetation too soon.
PLATYPUS (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) – We had wonderful looks in the late afternoon along the Barron River of this legendary creature. Then David spotted another in the small creek under our bridge at the Crater. One of the great animals of the world, it is always a treat to see one.
SPOTTED-TAILED QUOLL (Dasyurus maculatus) – A few of us had one visit their porches at Mountain Valley during our nighttime vigil.
TASMANIAN DEVIL (Sarcophilus harrisii) – Another legendary species, we all enjoyed close views of one to five of these bizarre beasts in Tasmania. Let's hope a cure can be found for the devastating tumor that is causing a drastic decline in this animal.
COMMON WOMBAT (Vombatus ursinus) – A few of us saw one during the day time near Cradle Mountain just before it ducked into a hole.
COMMON BRUSHTAIL POSSUM (Trichosurus vulpecula) – Several folks saw them at night when watching for the Tasmanian Devils. Brian and Ginny photographed one with a small baby on its back.
SHORT-EARED POSSUM (Trichosurus caninus) – Also know as Mountain Brushtail Possum, we saw one at the dinner time feeder at O'Reilly's.
SUGAR GLIDER (Petaurus breviceps) – We had great close views of these very cute big-eyed marsupials as they came to lick honey at Chamber's.
COMMON RINGTAIL POSSUM (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) – We saw part of one in a tree hollow at the Botanic Gardens in Darwin.
STRIPED POSSUM (Dactylopsila trivirgata) – Another beautiful tree dweller. We saw two of them at Chamber's where they came to feed on the honey.
MUSKY RAT-KANGAROO (Hypsiprymnodon moschatus) – We saw this well at Cassowary House where this smallest of the kangaroos are quite confiding.
TASMANIAN PADEMELON (Thylogale billardierii) – These were quite common around the Mountain Valley Lodge. This is one of the smallest of the pademelons.
RED-NECKED PADEMELON (Thylogale thetis) – These were commonly seen around the lodge at O'Reilly's.
RED-LEGGED PADEMELON (Thylogale stigmatica) – These secretive marsupials were seen by a few of us in the forest at Chambers's Lodge.
LUMHOLTZ'S TREE KANGAROO (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) – It was fantastic to see this rarely encountered odd kangaroo so well. The rustling in the bushes in front of us turned out to be a tree-kangaroo climbing a tree. We watched it go out on a limb and grab leaves of the twigs. It really didn't look like it was made for climbing and maneuvering in trees but it must work. When it descended it slid down the trunk like a fireman sliding down a pole.
AGILE WALLABY (Macropus agilis) – We saw a fair number of these in the Darwin area.
We had wonderful views of the iconic Tasmanian Devil. This species is in dire straits because of a cancerous tumor that is spreading through the entire population. (Photo by participants Brian & Ginny Murphy)
WHIPTAIL WALLABY (Macropus parryi) – Also known as Pretty-faced Wallaby, we had some close looks at a few in the tall grass habitat along the road below O'Reilly's.
EASTERN GRAY KANGAROO (Macropus giganteus) – A few were seen around Cumberland Dam at Georgetown. This is a true kangaroo, one of the big boys.
COMMON WALLAROO (Macropus robustus) – We saw a few around Georgetown. This is usually a dry country species.
RED KANGAROO (Macropus rufus) – We saw at least one in the distance near Georgetown.
BLACK FLYING-FOX (Pteropus alecto) – A fair number were flying about Fogg Dam early in the morning and we saw many roosting in trees in the forest at Howard Spring.
SPECTACLED FLYING-FOX (Pteropus conspicillatus) – There were a lot of them in the trees right in the center of Cairns. Not the street where you wanted to park your car.
OLD WORLD RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
FALLOW DEER (Dama dama) – We saw a herd of about fifty in the plain in central Tasmania. These were brought to the area for hunting many years back.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 343 bird taxa and 25 mammal taxa