Ann finds out that birds are not really blue. Not even bluebirds. If they're not blue, then what the duck are they?Featuring:Richard McClure, Stems Flower Market, Ballarat.Nate Byrne, ABC News Breakfast Meteorologist and science nerd.Prof Andrew Lowe, University of Adelaide.Dr Kate Umbers, University of Western Sydney.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Joel Werner, Script Editing.This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.
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Australia's most underrated animal: Winner!
Listen back to the What the Duck?! special broadcast with Dr Ann Jones and Cassie McCullagh.After 65,000 votes, Australia has spoken — the rakali has been crowned Australia's most underrated native animal!Raking in a whopping 20 per cent of the votes cast, the water rat was well out in front.Here are the results:1.Rakali2.Palm cockatoo3.Giant cuttlefish4.Dugong5.Marsupial mole6.Turtle frog7.Velvet worm8.Great desert skink9.Ghost bat10.Short-finned eelYou can also read more on the ABC News blog from the countdown:https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-15/wildlife-blog-15-august-2025/105651126Featuring:Professor Euan Ritchie, Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at Deakin UniversityJacinta Bowler, ABC Science ReporterDr Kirsti Abbott, head of science at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern TerritoryProfessor Nicki Mitchell, UWAJonathan Webb, ABC Science EditorDr Mark Norman, Chief Scientist Parks VictoriaDr Christina N Zdenek, ecologist with People for WildlifeProfessor Peter Banks, University of SydneyProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerJames Bullen, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer
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Underrated animals: Dugong
They live off seagrass, and sound like a teeny bird, but can weigh in at more than 400 kilograms and will cut you with their tusks.Dugongs (Dugong dugon) were once confused for mermaids.Yanyuwa people in the Golf of Carpentaria have observed their roles in family groups and identified 16 different types of dugongs.Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here.https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104Featuring:Dr Rachel Groom, Charles Darwin UniversityProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerJacinta Bowler, ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerStream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.
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Underrated animals: Palm Cockatoo
It's a bold claim, but the palm cockatoo might be the most punk-rock bird of all.The black and scarlet parrot lives in the rainforests and woodlands of Far North Queensland, as well as the Aru Islands and New Guinea.With a wingspan of 1.5 metres, the palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) is an impressive bird, with a black mohawk and a powerful beak.Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here.https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104Featuring:Dr Christina N Zdenek, ecologist with People for WildlifeProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerJacinta Bowler, ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerStream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.
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Underrated animals: Great desert skink
This little orange lizard lives with his mum and poos outside. What's not to love?The great desert skink (Liopholis kintorei) can be found in the deserts of the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia.They live in large burrows in family groups, which is extremely unusual for reptiles.Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here.https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104Featuring:Christine Ellis Michaels, Warlpiri rangerDr Rachel Paltridge, Indigenous Desert AllianceProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerJacinta Bowler, ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerStream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.
South Africa