Summary

In this "from the field" episode of The Science of Birds, Ivan Phillipsen takes you on a journey through some iconic landscapes in Australia. Fulfilling a childhood fascination with the Outback, Ivan splits his two-week adventure between the arid, rust-red deserts of the Northern Territory's Red Centre and the lush, ancient tropical rainforests of Queensland.

Along the way, he shares the excitement of racking up some "lifers" while encountering some of Australia’s unique avian families. From colorful, charismatic parrots and adorable finches to highly sought-after, elusive rainforest dwellers, Ivan details the thrill of tracking down endemic species and observing fascinating bird behaviors in the wild. Beyond the incredible birding, he also sets out to find a few of Australia's most iconic and unusual mammals.

Tune in to hear all about the rewarding highs of birding in the land down under, and get a sneak peek at an exciting future birding expedition he is scouting for 2028!

Photos

Attributions

Laughing Kookaburra sounds (Xeno Canto recording XC528786: https://xeno-canto.org/528786)

Eastern Whipbird sounds (Xeno Canto recording XC201977: https://xeno-canto.org/201977)

Wompoo Fruit-Dove sounds (Xeno Canto recording XC98953: https://xeno-canto.org/98953)