Birdwatching

Birdwatching is the activity of observing and studying birds, whether through binoculars or direct sight.  Although ‘birdwatching’ implies mainly watching birds, a significant component is actually listening for bird calls. This is because many bird species are more readily found and identified by ear rather than by sight. Birdwatching is a recreational past-time for many, however it is also undertaken for the purposes of scientific study by ornithologists.

Birdwatching usually involves taking trips to observe birds in their natural habitats. The most common periods for birdwatching in temperate zones are during the spring or autumn migrations, which is when a great variety of birds may be spotted. The best time of day is usually early in the morning when the birds are most active, therefore easier to spot.

Although birdwatching is mainly a hobby, there are also competitive events organised around the world. These competitions usually consist of individuals or teams trying to accumulate a list of bird species spotted within a specified time limit.

Common equipment for birdwatching may include binoculars, a spotting scope and tripod, a notepad and a field guide. For the auditory aspect of birdwatching, special recording devices have been developed that allow birdwatchers to record bird calls for later retrieval and comparison.

If you want to learn more about the wildlife that abounds in the Daintree Rainforest of Far North Queensland, birdwatching is an excellent activity.

Daintree Rainforest

There are both land based and water based tour operators that can take you to the best places to find amazing Australian birdlife in the Daintree Area. Some of the Australian birds you might be able to spot or hear include:

• the Sacred Kingfisher
• the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher
• the Yellow Oriole
• the Great-billed Heron
• the Papuan Frogmouth
• the Royal Spoonbill
• the Wompoo Fruit-dove
• the Black Bittern
• the Brahminy Kite
• the Azure Kingfisher
• and the Cassowaries.