Birds of North Queensland

01/09/2026

Spotted Dove
(Streptopelia chinensis tigrina)

Photographed at Port Douglas

The vocalizations of the spotted dove include cooing softly with a Krookruk-krukroo... kroo kroo kroo.

More info with next image

01/09/2026

Plumed Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna eytoni)

Photographed Port Douglas

One of three whistling or tree ducks found in Australia. It is a tall, long necked duck, with very prominent long lanceolate off-white plumes edged in black along the flanks. The face and foreneck are light, the crown and hind neck are pale brown and the brown feathers of the upper back are edged buff. The breast is pale chestnut, finely barred in black. The bill is mottled pink and grey and the legs and feet are pink.

More info with next image.

01/09/2026

24/04/2026

White-necked (Pacific) Heron
(Ardea pacifica)

Photographed Lockhart River

Diet consists of freshwater mussels, fish, shrimp, freshwater crayfish, spiders, dragonfly nymphs, damselflies, praying mantis, grasshoppers, water beetles, lizards, young ducklings, young freshwater rat, and amphibians. Young are fed with regurgitated tadpoles and will knock smaller young out of the nest in competition for food.

24/04/2026

Spotted Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna guttata)

Photographed Iron Range

Distribution:
Whistling ducks are found all over the world. The Spotted Whistling Duck is distributed throughout the Philippines, Australia, and New Guinea These ducks live in the southern part of the Philippines and several islands of Indonesia. In Indonesia spotted whistling ducks stretch from the Eastern Lesser Sundas islands to new guinea. Spotted Whistling Ducks are also found in Weipa, Iron Range and Bamaga, Australia, but have also been seen at Wonga Beach, Daintree River, Port Douglas, Cairns and Cattana Wetlands. Scientists hypothesize the Indonesian population was introduced due to a storm blowing the birds off course.

See more with the next image

24/04/2026

Fawn-breasted Bowerbird Bower (Chlamydera cerviniventris)
Photographed Iron Rage

The bower is that of "avenue-type" with two sides of wall of sticks and usually decorated with green-coloured berries.

20/03/2026

Glossy Ibis
(Plegadis falcinellus)

Photographed Port Douglas

Breeding:
The Glossy Ibis builds a platform nest of sticks, usually with a lining of aquatic plants, between the upright branches of trees or shrubs growing in water. Glossy Ibis breed together with other ibises and other water birds in small colonies.

20/03/2026

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
(Calidris acuminata)

Photographed Port Douglas

Description
The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is a medium sized wader with a straight black bill that has an olive-grey base. It has a chestnut crown and nape, a white eyebrow, and reddish brown upperparts, with each feather having a black centre. The rump and tail are black, with white outer margins visible in flight. The wings have an indistinct white bar. The breast and flanks are white, streaked and speckled black, with a reddish brown tinge on the chest, grading into a white belly and undertail. The legs are olive. This species is commonly seen with other waders during its migration from northern breeding grounds.

More info with next image