This is bird note.

Northeastern Australia is home to a rainforest unique in the world.

It's known as wet sclerophyll forest and ecologically speaking it's incredibly diverse.

The eastern whip bird hangs out in the dense understory.

It's dark crested 10 inches long and more often heard than

seen. Like its neighbor, the spotted cat bird that's nearly a foot long and emerald green

with white spots.

Easier to lay eyes on is the large pigeon-like wampu fruit dove, perching high in a tree gulping down small fruits.

Feathered in a stunning combination of green, purple, and yellow, this bird is clearly named for its voice.

While pig-like grunting on the forest floor tells us we're in the company of the largest bird on the continent, the southern

Cassowary.

On average, the female weighs 130 pounds and stands around five feet tall,

looking like a giant lush black hair piece on thick legs.

A helmet called a cask makes it look as much like a dinosaur as any living bird.

Check our website for a photo.

For Bird Note, I'm Mary McCann.