Found in northern Queensland, Aru Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Often also called a "Snake bird" due to its appearance when swimming, where its long neck protrudes from the water and looks like a snake.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Suliformes > Anhingidae > Anhinga > Anhinga novaehollandiae
Often just referred to as "Figbird", the Australasian Figbird is the only Figbird in Australia.
Previously considered a sub species of the Purple swamp hen but now recognised as its own species.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Gruiformes > Rallidae > Porphyrio > Porphyrio melanotus
Previously considered a subspecies of the Asian koel, Australian koels are also known as Stormbirds or Rainbirds due to there propensity for singing more before rain.
A strikingly coloured kingfisher native to Eastern Australia and New Guinea
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Coraciiformes > Alcedinidae > Ceyx > Ceyx azureus
Bar-shouldered doves are native to Australia and New Guinea and can grow to up to 30cm.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Columbiformes > Columbidae > Geopelia > Geopelia humeralis
Fascinating, amphibious fish, that can skip across the water to avoid predation, and spends most of its life on land.
Large ground dwelling bird that is becoming rare, especially south of Cairns.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Charadriiformes > Burhinidae > Esacus > Esacus magnirostris
Up to 58cm in length, this is a large bittern, found in wetland areas.
More closely related to the Australian magpie, Black Butherbirds are proficient hunters and nest raiders.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Passeriformes > Artamidae > Melloria > Melloria quoyi
A common raptor, often seen between Cairns and Cape Tribulation, occasionally in flocks.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Accipitriformes > Accipitridae > Milvus > Milvus migrans
A small wading plover found throughout much of Australia
Often known as the Jabiru, the Black-necked Stork is a truly impressive bird of wetland habitats.
A medium sized, black and white wader found in fresh and brackish wetlands and mangroves.
Much maligned by swimmers in Australia (especially on the east coast), the Blue Bottle (also called Portugese Man of War) has a very painful sting.
Growing up to 30cm, these starfish are found around often found in the shallow reefs and sea grass beds off Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation.
Striking butterfly that holds the record for most types of vision receptor cells of any insect.
A tropical species of sea urchin often found in shallow fringing reefs.
Slightly smaller than the Laughing kookaburra, the Blue-winged kookaburra is native to the rainforest areas of northern Australia and southern New Guinea.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Coraciiformes > Alcedinidae > Dacelo > Dacelo leachii
A distinctive bird of prey, with white head and breast, and red-brown wings and tail.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Accipitriformes > Accipitridae > Haliastur > Haliastur indus
Also known as the "brown pigeon", or "pheasant pigeon", Brown cuckoo-doves occur along the east coast and up into the tablelands, all the way from Cape York to the Victorian border.
When you hear a scream at night, it is quite possibly just one of these interesting birds.
Large and spectacularly coloured butterfly endemic to north eastern Australia
Found only in far north Queensland and New Guinea, the Southern Cassowary is the second largest bird in the world (after the ostrich).
Often easy to spot, in paddocks with cattle on the side of the road, where they feed on insects.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Pelecaniformes > Ardeidae > Bubulcus > Bubulcus ibis
Mainly orange-yellow, with black markings, cruiser butterflies stand out in the rainforest, and feed. on native passion vines (Passifloraceae)
Eukaryota >Animalia > Arthropoda > Insecta > Lepidoptera > Nymphalidae > Vindula > Vindula arsinoe
The Double-eyed fig parrot is the smallest parrot found in Australia.
Also known as Sea cows, Dugong are the only mammals in the ocean that are strictly herbivorous.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Mammalia > Sirenia > Dugongidae > Dugong > Dugong dugon
A subspecies of the Great Egret found throughout Oceania and Asia.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Pelecaniformes > Ardeidae > Ardea > Ardea alba modesta
A medium sized fish hunting raptor, common along the coast and rivers.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Accipitriformes > Pandionidae > Pandion > Pandion cristatus
Interestingly, this species can either be white, or grey.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Pelecaniformes > Ardeidae > Egretta > Egretta sacra
Also know as the `Australian Water Dragon`, Eastern Water Dragons are excellent swimmers and climbers.
Found in along the coast between Cairns and Cape Tribulation, you will often spot these fishers, near a river close to the coast.
The largest living bivalve mollusk and found on the Great Barrier Reef, the Giant Clam can grow to over 1 metre and over 200kg in weight and live for over 100 years.
Native to north-eastern Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea lowland tropical moist rainforests.
Very difficult to distinguish from the Yellow-spot honeyeater and the Lewin's Honey Eater, however can be identified by the call.
Also known as the Common eggfly, or Blue moon butterfly, this butterfly is a model mother.
Australias largest heron, it hunts its prey in shallow water.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Pelecaniformes > Ardeidae > Ardea > Ardea sumatrana
Greater Crested Terns can be seen in large colonies along the rocky coast and small islands between Cairns and Cape Tribulation
This small wader can often be spotted along the intertidal areas between Cairn and Cape Tribulation hunting for food.
If you are spending any time in between Cairns and Cape Tribulation, you are bound to meet or possibly eat these angry insects.
A shy and inconspicuous bird found foraging for fruit in dense rainforest.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Passeriformes > Oriolidae > Oriolus > Oriolus flavocinctus
A common, attractive, and harmless snake common in the wet tropics of northern Queensland.
A small insectivorous bird of the "old world" passerine order.
Found along the east coast of Queensland, this varient of the Hemeted friarbird has a large knob on its bill as well as a bare grey facial skin and a red eye.
One of the Monitors often refereed to as "Goanna", they can grow to over 2m and are often seen foraging for food.
An iconic Australian bird with the one of the most distinctive calls of any Australian bird.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Coraciiformes > Alcedinidae > Dacelo > Dacelo novaeguineae
Preferring the wetter areas of eastern Australia, this small bird is often seen in the upper branches of trees, feeding on fruit and insects.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Passeriformes > Meliphagidae > Meliphaga > Meliphaga lewinii
A communal bird that lives on the edges of swamps and rivers where it can feed.
Only occurring in north east Queensland and the Gulf country, the Lovely Fairywren is a lively little bird.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Passeriformes > Maluridae > Malurus > Malurus amabilis
Often also called Humphead Wrasse or Napolean Wrasse, this is the largest fish of the family Labridae, and males can grow up to 2 metres in length.
Often maligned for their bold (and aggressively defensive) nesting habits, Lapwing Plovers are usually shy and harmless.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Charadriiformes > Charadriidae > Vanellus > Vanellus miles
Often seen in large flocks, following fruiting trees, Metallic Starlings are a glossy black with a coloured purple-green "sheen" to the coat which gives them there common name.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Passeriformes > Sturnidae > Aplonis > Aplonis metallica
As its name suggests these active birds feed mainly on the berries of mistletoe plants (although it will catch insects to feed its young).
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Passeriformes > Dicaeidae > Dicaeum > Dicaeum hirundinaceum
You will usually see these by night, where they are attracted to lights, and end up on you verandah.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Arthropoda > Insecta > Coleoptera > Scarabaeidae > Protaetia > Protaetia fusca
Most often seen on dinner plates, this is an impressive crab found in the estuaries between Cairns and Cape Tribulation
Eukaryota >Animalia > Arthropoda > Malacostraca > Decapoda > Portunidae > Scylla > Scylla serrata
Also known as the Rufous Night Heron, this is a medium sized heron that is mostly nocturnal.
If you are outside at night, especially in open grassy areas, you are likely to encounter this critter.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Mammalia > Marsupialia > Peramelidae > Isoodon > Isoodon macrourus
One of the largest spiders in the world, the Giant Golden Orb Spider can reach a total length of 20cm (body size of up to 5cm).
Eukaryota >Animalia > Arthropoda > Arachnida > Araneae > Nephilidae > Nephila > Nephila pilipes
A small, but distinctive, member or the orb weaver family (Araneidae).
Also known as the yellow-bellied sunbird, you will often find the nest of these beautiful birds in public places, like verandas and gazebos.
Common in tropical north Queensland, the Orange bushbrown feeds mainly on rotting fruit, but will also feed on nectar and sap.
Looking around tidal mud banks will often be rewarded with a sighting of these interesting and showy crabs.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Arthropoda > Malacostraca > Decapoda > Brachyura > Ocypodidae > Uca coarctata
Building huge mounds for nests, these chicken sized megapodes are a regular sight between Cairns and Cape Tribulation.
Related to octopus, squid and nautiluses, cuttlefish are considered one of the most intelligent invertebrates.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Mollusca > Cephalopoda > Sepiida > Sepiidae > Sepia > Sepia elliptica
Also known as the Crested hawk, this is a small long-tailed hawk with a distinctive crest on its head.
A dark, dabbling, duck with growing up to 55-60cm in size.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Anseriformes > Anatidae > Anas > Anas superciliosa
The longest of the frogmouths, the Papuan Frogmouth grows to around 53cm.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Podargiformes > Podargidae > Podargus > Podargus papuensis
Agressive little crab that will take on anything that doesn't fight back.
A large (up to 70cm) species of cuckoo that is found in far north Queensland and New Guinea's sub tropical moist lowland rainforest.
A large, attractive, mostly white pigeon that can be seen between Cairns and Cape Tribulation during the wet season.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Columbiformes > Columbidae > Ducula > Ducula bicolor
A commonly seen wading bird along the coast between Cairns and Cape Tribulation
These are a small (less than 4cm) crab that lives in mangrove areas.
Also known as the Black-backed Shelduck or the Burdekin Duck, this is a strikingly coloured black and white duck with green bands on the top of the wings that can be seen from above when in flight.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Anseriformes > Anatidae > Tadorna > Tadorna radjah
An aptly named and striking bird commonly seen around the Daintree Region
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Coraciiformes > Meropidae > Merops > Merops ornatus
An unmistakable, brightly coloured parrot of the rainforest and woodland areas.
This parrot is found in grassland, savannah and woodland of northern and north-eatern Australia as well as New Guinea.
A sub-family of the scarab beetle, "Rhino Beetles" are an impressive (and almost intimidating) insect.
Also aptly named the Assasin fly, these insects are a large, impressive fly with a nasty reputation.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Arthropoda > Insecta > Diptera > Asilidae > Zosteria > Zosteria sp.
Also known as the black-billed spoonbill, it is often encountered wading on intertidal flats using its wide bill to catch small fish, crabs and frogs.
The Polynesians believed this medium sized kingfisher had power over the waves, hence the common name of Sacred kingfisher.
North Queenslands iconic apex predator, this is why you don't swim in the rivers up here.
Have you ever wondered what the tiny balls of sand are on our beaches, well this little crab is responsible.
The male shining flycatcher is a black, and shining, dark blue, whilst the female is brown with a white belly.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Passeriformes > Monarchidae > Myiagra > Myiagra alecto
The only Australian Drongo, it can be easily identified by its forked tale and glossy black plumage.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Passeriformes > Dicruridae > Dicrurus > Dicrurus bracteatus
These cute yet noisy flying mammals are a common sight, in huge numbers along the Daintree River.
A recent arrival to Australia, now with a resident population on the Daintree River.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Anseriformes > Anatidae > Dendrocygna > Dendrocygna guttata
A small, native, stingless bee which plays an important role in pollinating many species.
Named after the river where it was first spotted, near the Caspian Sea, this is a small migratory wader often seen in shallows around the coast.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Charadriiformes > Scolopacidae > Xenus > Xenus cinereus
Ulysses Butterfly (Papilio Ulysses) are one of the iconic species of the Daintree Region, however, did you know these interesting facts about our colourful friends.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Arthropoda > Insecta > Lepidoptera > Papilionidae > Papilio > Papilio ulysses
A member of the cuckoo-shrike family, varied trillers a common in the Daintree Rainfores where they like the warm humid environment.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Passeriformes > Campephagidae > Lalage > Lalage leucomela
The largest bird of prey in Australia, Wedge-tailed eagles are a magnificent sight with an unmistakable "wedge shaped" tail.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Accipitriformes > Accipitridae > Aquila > Aquila audax
Adapting to human habitat well, these small swallows are quite colourful and a common site between Cairns and Cape Tribulation.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Passeriformes > Hirundinidae > Hirundo > Hirundo neoxena
A large, distinctive raptor with a white head, body and wings and grey upperparts.
A small (15-20cm) ground dwelling bird in the Rail (Rallidae) family.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Gruiformes > Rallidae > Amaurornis > Amaurornis cinerea
A medium sized heron common throughout Australia, New Guinea and New Zealand.
An icon of the Daintree Rainforest, the White-lipped tree frog is the largest tree frog in the world.
A large, spectacularly coloured fruit dove found in tropical north Queensland and into New Guinea.
Also known as the Lesser lewin, this olive-brown and grey bird is endemic to north Queensland.
Eukaryota >Animalia > Chordata > Aves > Passeriformes > Meliphagidae > Meliphaga > Meliphaga notata
A thick set dragonfly, found in northern Australia around still, fresh water.
