Flying colours of the Far North

Words by Jamie Jansen
Photography by Joséphine Warnet

The spectacular landscape of our World Heritage Rainforest is breathtaking, but our local birdlife truly brings it to life. This tropical paradise is home to a colourful cast of characters, including rare species found nowhere else. From Port Douglas’s main street to the deep jungle, here are six unforgettable birds to spot during your stay.

Olive-Backed Sunbird

You are highly likely to spot the Olive-Backed Sunbird charming guests around many of our local resorts and holiday rentals. Behaving exactly like a tiny hummingbird, it is a joy to watch this iridescent yellow-and-blue jewel hover mid-air to sip nectar from tropical flowers, or to discover one of their signature hanging dome nests dangling cheekily from a patio ceiling.

Rainbow Lorikeet

To witness one of our town’s most breathtaking natural spectacles, head to Macrossan Street at dusk. The Rainbow Lorikeet puts on a spectacular, free wildlife show right in the heart of town. Watching the sky turn into a chaotic, noisy blur of electric blue, green, and orange during their sunset rush is a quintessential local experience.

Southern Cassowary

Deep in the ancient Daintree Rainforest awaits a bucket-list encounter with a real-life dinosaur. The Southern Cassowary is a massive, flightless giant that people travel across the world to see. There is an incredible thrill in spotting one of these majestic creatures, with its vivid blue neck and bony helmet, stepping quietly out of the rainforest near Cape Tribulation or along the Jindalba boardwalk.

Australasian Figbird

If you hear a lively chatter in the trees around town, look up, you’re likely watching a flock of Australasian Figbirds. While southern visitors might recognise the species, our northern males are true show-stoppers, sporting a brilliant yellow chest and a vivid red eye-ring. Highly social and active, they love to gather in leafy canopies to feast on wild figs, making them an incredibly easy and rewarding spot for anyone.

Buff-Breasted Paradise-Kingfisher

Arguably one of the world's most beautiful birds, the Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher visits us from October to April as they fly from New Guinea to nest inside active termite mounds on the Daintree forest floor. They are the hardest birds on this list to spot, but catching a glimpse is a rare treat. These stunning forest dwellers sport an electric blue back, a bright orange belly, and two long, elegant white tail streamers.

Double-eyed Fig-Parrot

As Australia’s smallest parrot, the Double-eyed Fig-Parrot is a tiny, bright green jewel of the rainforest. Though they are famously hard to spot because of their size and speed, you can often find them by listening for the quiet, rhythmic clicking sound of them chewing on wild figs. If you look closely at the fruit-bearing trees around town or along the forest edge, you might just catch a glimpse of their vibrant red and blue cheeks as they feast.

Tip: To spot these, and other, incredible birds up close in the Daintree, book a guided tour with local photographer Josephine Warnet at Port Douglas Luxe Tours: portdouglasluxetours.com.