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We continue our exploration of Far North Queensland in Cairns before leaving on our journey northward. We saw juvenile and adult Nankeen Night Heron walking around at night with the Bush-stone Curlew. Click on images to enlarge them.

The most common raptor we saw circling over us most of the time up here was the Black Kite and the occasional Whistling Kite near areas of fresh water.

Near the waterfront at low tide we saw the Sacred Kingfisher darting about looking for insects and small fish in the pools. While on the grass camouflaged among the leaves a small flock of Nutmeg Mannikin were eating grass seed. These birds are from the Finch family.

Leaving Cairns we begin exploring the ancient tropical rainforest of Far North Queensland eventually slowly driving the infamous and extremely rough unsealed Bloomfield Track, with its many steep hills and river crossings which only a good 4 wheel drive could negotiated and only in the dry season. At the end of this track we were rewarded with a view of Bloomfield falls.

The rainforest birds we saw and heard the most were firstly the loud raucous calls of the Orange-footed Scrubfowl which is one of our three Megapodes (mound builders). These birds come out early and scratch around calling to each other. Listen to their call, it is quite loud and alarming if you do not know what it is.

Next the frequent call of the Yellow Oriole .

One very special find in Cooktown Botanic Gardens was this beautiful Wompoo Fruit-Dove. Most of our rainforest birds are mainly fruit eaters since so many native fruits, especially fig species are on offer in our many rainforests. The name Wompoo comes from the call the bird makes sounding like: ‘Wom – Poo’. Listen carefully:

The call of the Black Butcherbird is another common sound in the bush up here.

Lastly our special tiny honeyeater the Olive-backed Sunbird which is our own version of the American Hummingbird. The male has a bright dark iridescent front.

The Sunbird is featured in my first and best selling book “What Birds Teach Us”. This is the ideal time to purchase it for Christmas as many have already. It is the ideal gift for your growing child, not only introducing them to our amazing birds and their unusual lives but the added bonus of each bird sharing a practical life skill or life lesson that will assist them particularly in their Primary School years, into adulthood. The feedback and reviews confirm the benefits and impact that this book has had, adults included. Many of my overseas blog followers and visitors to Australia have purchased this book which can be sent to any country in the world with postage included in the one price. Click on the image below to find out more:

The Sunbird teaches the lesson in my book to position ourselves for success for our life journey. Many people do not realise that similar to us humans, birds, particularly high order birds such as raptors, have to learn skills to live and survive and be successful in life, including finding a partner, building a nest, finding food and in some cases even learning to fly. This is why it is best if we study, train and learn the areas of life we are not yet apt at so we can do our best in life. Even play and sport are all areas of preparation for life. It is our responsibility to invest the skills we are taught by parents and teachers to be of service to others and our community as well as the best person we can be for ourselves. Moreso, to teach this principle to our children and grandchildren.

“My child, you must follow and treasure my teachings and my instructions.
Keep in tune with wisdom and think what it means to have common sense.
Beg as loud as you can for good common sense.
Search for wisdom as you would search for silver or hidden treasure.
Then you will understand what it means to respect and to know the Lord God.

All wisdom comes from the Lord, and so do common sense and understanding.” – Proverbs 2: 1-6 (CEB)

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Adv. Dip. in Counselling and Family Therapy.

Member of Birdlife Australia

To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

And learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed  by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.