Daintree Rainforest Birdwatching
The Daintree is internationally recognised as one of Australia's premier birdwatching locations.
Over 430 species of birds have been recorded in the area encompassing the Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef region of Australia. This is more than half the bird species for the entire continent. By combining visits to Daintree on the coastal lowlands, the upland rainforest of the Atherton Tablelands, the drier country of Mareeba and beyond, plus the off-shore islands, birders can appreciate the great diversity and number of the region’s birds within only 1 ˝ hours drive from Cairns.
The Wet Tropics has 12 endemic species and of these, Macleay's Honeyeater, Pied Monarch, and Victoria's Riflebird can be seen in the Daintree. Also of enormous interest to birdwatchers are the Great-billed Heron, Black Bittern, Mangrove Robin, Lovely Fairy-Wren, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Red-necked Crake and of course, the Southern Cassowary which may be seen on the northern side of the Daintree river.
There are 8 out of 10 of Australia’s Kingfisher species, including the Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher and the Little Kingfisher, also to be seen in the Daintree. The Daintree area has a variety of habitats with coastal lowland rainforest, riverine wetlands, mangroves, open farmland and the Daintree River.
The Daintree River is well known for early morning birdwatching, with several specialist cruises available.
Principal Target species For The Daintree Area
- Great-billed Heron
- Little Kingfisher
- Azure Kingfisher
- Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher
- Southern Cassowary
- Red-necked Crake
- Pale-vented Bush Hen
- Spotted Catbird
- Wompoo Fruit-Dove
- Black Bittern
- Papuan Frogmouth
- Double-eyed Fig-Parrot
- Lovely Fairy-Wren
- Mangrove Robin
- Pied Monarch (endemic)
- Victoria’s Riflebird (endemic)
- Macleay’s Honeyeater (endemic)
Summer migrants including Black Bittern, Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Pied Imperial Pigeon and Metallic Starling are seen from October/November until March/April, making it the best time of year, despite the chance of rain.
The Daintree is an ideal location as a base for a birding holiday in Far North Queensland or can be an important addition to a birding itinerary which may include Cairns, Julatten, Mareeba and the Atherton Tablelands.
Further information
Written by Trish Forsyth, Red Mill House, Daintree Village.
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