The Atherton Tablelands is a quality bird watching destination with almost 500 bird species recorded within this small area including 13 Wet Tropics endemics.  This region is a must see for bird watching enthusiasts world wide.  With approximately 9,500 bird species on the planet and 726 bird species in Australia keen Birdwatchers have a massive lifes work trying to see all birds.   

As you drive through the Tablelands you will notice the rich diversity as the terrain changes from ancient rainforest in some areas to high micro-climates, dry monsoon eculypt woodland, wetlands and volcanic crater lakes as well as our very large Tinaroo Dam. 

Visiting the Tablelands is a very popular must visit location for birdwatchers and there are many accommodation providers in this region who are passionate about bird watching including Rose Gums and Atherton Blue Gum as well as the Jabiru Safari Lodge. 

The Jabiru Safari Lodge is a community conservation project combining conservation work with environmental education and sustainable, nature based tourism.  They have been breeding and relasing Gouldian Finches to try to re establish a population in the area.  The programme is working with sightings of the Gouldian Finches now being reported in the region.  There are over 200 birds in the nature refuge at the Jabiru Safari Mareeba Wetlands.

Expect to see: 

• Black throated finch
• Gouldian Finch
• Squatter Pidgeon
• Apostle Birds
• Emus
• Owlet Nightjar
• Jabiru
• Great Bower Bird

The 13 endemic Wet Tropics birds are:

• Lesser Sooty Owl
• Chowchilla
• Fernwren
• Bower's Shrike-Thrush
• Atherton Scrubwren
• Pied Monarch
• Mountain Thornbill
• Victoria's Riflebird
• Macleay's Honeyeater
• Tooth-billed Bowerbird
• Bridled Honeyeater
• Golden Bowerbird
• Grey-headed Robin

When to come?  Between October and early january is a good time for birding in Queensland. Due to the wet season January to April can be a little tricky.   

Between May and December you may see the Sarus Crane at the Jabiru Safari Lodge wetlands. 

Between May and December you may see the Golden Bowerbird in the rainforest.

Between late October and April you may see the Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher.

Between August and April the Metallic Starling visit. 

Between November and April you may see the Channel-billed Cuckoo, Common Koel, Dallarbird, Black-faced Monarch and Cicadabird.

The Ravenshoe Visitor Information Centre has comprehensive birding guides for the region. 

We hope you have a great bird watching experience on the famous Tropical Atherton Tablelands!