Birdwatching Cape York - Iron Range - Georgetown     

The Cape York Peninsula is a vast wilderness area that contains a variety of habitats from floodplain and mangrove swamp to heathland and monsoon forest.

The Iron Range is a must for the serious birdwatcher and is particularly noted for its spectacular species.

These include Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus and Red-cheeked Parrots, Magnificent Riflebird, Trumpet Manucode, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Red-bellied Pitta, Northern Scrub-robin, Fawn-breasted Bowerbird and many other species.

 Marbled and Papuan Frogmouths, nightjars and Rufous Owls are frequently seen at night while spotlighting.

Magnificent Riflebird
Electus Parrot, female The Lakefield and Musgrave area also provide excellent birdwatching opportunities. Species of note include Golden-shouldered Parrot, Star Finch, White-streaked Honeyeater, Black-backed Butcherbird, Black-breasted Buzzard, Red Goshawk, Grass, Barn, Boobook and Barking Owls, Pratincoles and occasionally Oriental Plover.

Georgetown and the Gulf country, 450 kilometres west of Cairns, is another region of particular interest to the keen birdwatcher. Habitats include savannah woodland and freshwater lagoons. 

Black-throated Finch

Species often seen include Pictorella Mannikin, Masked, Black-throated, Plum-headed, Double-barred, Zebra, and occasionally Gouldian Finches, Red-browed Pardalote, Varied Lorikeet, Cockatiel, Budgerigar, Banded, Rufous-throated and Grey-fronted Honeyeaters, Spinifex Pigeon, Bustard and Emu. In addition, we have seen some interesting waterfowl on the lagoons, including Pink-eared and Shoveler Duck and the rare Freckled Duck.

Sarus Cranes