Dr Christina N. Zdenek
@cnzdenek.bsky.social
Ecologist and Herpetologist. Urban Birds Program Coordinator (BirdLife AUS), Ass. Researcher, People For Wildlife. Co-owner, AUS Reptile Academy. Fulbright alumna. Inspiring Australia Ambassador (Qld). #PalmCockatooProject. Ex UofCaliforniaIrvine / ANU
Pinned
🦜✨ The Aussie Bird Count is back 20–26 Oct!
Spend just 20 mins counting birds in your backyard, balcony, schoolyard, workplace or local park.
Last year 57k people counted 4.1M birds – let’s make 2025 bigger! 🐦
Register now! 👉 aussiebirdcount.org.au
#AussieBirdCount #BirdLifeOz
Spend just 20 mins counting birds in your backyard, balcony, schoolyard, workplace or local park.
Last year 57k people counted 4.1M birds – let’s make 2025 bigger! 🐦
Register now! 👉 aussiebirdcount.org.au
#AussieBirdCount #BirdLifeOz
It’s that time of year again, people! 🤠💃😎. Get those binos/nocs on the ready to count birds wherever and often from 20-26Oct on the useful and user-friendly Aussie Birdcount app
Good morning, all, from my #HabitatGarden near #Brisbane
November 16, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Good morning, all, from my #HabitatGarden near #Brisbane
Out today! @theguardian.com writes an important article about the snake catching industry in Aus. A fascinating read. We took the journalist on a snake-education journey at our venomous-snake handling course to guide the article. Expert comment by yours truly 🤓.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Snakes, sheilas and a backblocks shed: the school teaching how to wrangle Australia’s most venomous reptiles
‘If you wouldn’t mind,’ the instructor says, handing out legal documents to all those who enter, ‘signing your life away’
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Out today! @theguardian.com writes an important article about the snake catching industry in Aus. A fascinating read. We took the journalist on a snake-education journey at our venomous-snake handling course to guide the article. Expert comment by yours truly 🤓.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Another cracking snake-handling course on the weekend! This time for 15 students: a large-property owner, zookeeper, future snake-catchers, 3 school grounds persons, and even a journalist from @theguardian.com ! Our next course is 29Nov (near Gatton, Qld). DM if interested. #OzReptileAcademy
November 11, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Another cracking snake-handling course on the weekend! This time for 15 students: a large-property owner, zookeeper, future snake-catchers, 3 school grounds persons, and even a journalist from @theguardian.com ! Our next course is 29Nov (near Gatton, Qld). DM if interested. #OzReptileAcademy
It’s springtime in Australia, aka swooping season. Here I provide expert comment for the ABC about a swooping crow at Noosa:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Cranky crow forces tourists to duck for cover at holiday hotspot
Noosa Council has received multiple reports of the crow swooping walkers, which experts say is unusual for the species.
www.abc.net.au
October 24, 2025 at 9:06 PM
It’s springtime in Australia, aka swooping season. Here I provide expert comment for the ABC about a swooping crow at Noosa:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Yay! It’s that time of the year again. Get ready to keep your eyes peeled and start counting birds! #AussieBirdCount is an important snap-shot for Australia’s birds, common and threatened, plus we can all probably is a mindful 20min peacefully observing nature 🥹💚.
Just ONE WEEK to go until the Aussie Bird Count kicks off! 🐦
From 20–26 Oct, Australians everywhere will spend 20 mins counting the birds!
One in six Aussie birds faces extinction – which means every bird counts!
👉 aussiebirdcount.org.au
#AussieBirdCount #BirdLifeAustralia #BirdLifeOz
From 20–26 Oct, Australians everywhere will spend 20 mins counting the birds!
One in six Aussie birds faces extinction – which means every bird counts!
👉 aussiebirdcount.org.au
#AussieBirdCount #BirdLifeAustralia #BirdLifeOz
October 14, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Yay! It’s that time of the year again. Get ready to keep your eyes peeled and start counting birds! #AussieBirdCount is an important snap-shot for Australia’s birds, common and threatened, plus we can all probably is a mindful 20min peacefully observing nature 🥹💚.
Extinctions serve as important warning signs that something is very wrong in the environment. Will we finally heed these warnings? Our mental wellbeing and over half our economy depends on it. theconversation.com/and-then-the...
And then there were none: Australia’s only shrew declared extinct
Australia’s only known shrew has been declared extinct. Its loss emphasises the need for national protection of Australia’s rare and unique wildlife.
theconversation.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Extinctions serve as important warning signs that something is very wrong in the environment. Will we finally heed these warnings? Our mental wellbeing and over half our economy depends on it. theconversation.com/and-then-the...
Whose terms of reference do we privilege in science? Dr Coen Hird discusses the contested space of contemporary science and Indigenous teachings/understandings. Diving into theory, not just methods, @uq-cbcs.bsky.social’s packed seminar today at UQ St Lucia. What’s your knowledge lens?
September 30, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Whose terms of reference do we privilege in science? Dr Coen Hird discusses the contested space of contemporary science and Indigenous teachings/understandings. Diving into theory, not just methods, @uq-cbcs.bsky.social’s packed seminar today at UQ St Lucia. What’s your knowledge lens?
It’s that time of year again, people! 🤠💃😎. Get those binos/nocs on the ready to count birds wherever and often from 20-26Oct on the useful and user-friendly Aussie Birdcount app
🦜✨ The Aussie Bird Count is back 20–26 Oct!
Spend just 20 mins counting birds in your backyard, balcony, schoolyard, workplace or local park.
Last year 57k people counted 4.1M birds – let’s make 2025 bigger! 🐦
Register now! 👉 aussiebirdcount.org.au
#AussieBirdCount #BirdLifeOz
Spend just 20 mins counting birds in your backyard, balcony, schoolyard, workplace or local park.
Last year 57k people counted 4.1M birds – let’s make 2025 bigger! 🐦
Register now! 👉 aussiebirdcount.org.au
#AussieBirdCount #BirdLifeOz
September 26, 2025 at 3:58 AM
It’s that time of year again, people! 🤠💃😎. Get those binos/nocs on the ready to count birds wherever and often from 20-26Oct on the useful and user-friendly Aussie Birdcount app
1.5 years apart before-after comparison of my made-from-scratch native habitat garden (rainforest plant community section). Supporting #UrbanBirds with @birdlifeoz.bsky.social, #UrbanFrogs, and #UrbanLizards! 🥹 AND household mental well-being, especially on wfh days 💃🤓! Lawns are so boring, agreed?
September 25, 2025 at 9:47 PM
1.5 years apart before-after comparison of my made-from-scratch native habitat garden (rainforest plant community section). Supporting #UrbanBirds with @birdlifeoz.bsky.social, #UrbanFrogs, and #UrbanLizards! 🥹 AND household mental well-being, especially on wfh days 💃🤓! Lawns are so boring, agreed?
And it’s a hit! My #SnakeWheelOfFortune poster game has been played by dozens (possibly 100s) of kids & adults across Qld for #NationalScienceWeek & beyond, & they’ve all left with a far greater appreciation & respect for snakes. Education shapes perceptions, & perceptions shape behaviour 🤓🐍💚!
September 5, 2025 at 2:51 AM
And it’s a hit! My #SnakeWheelOfFortune poster game has been played by dozens (possibly 100s) of kids & adults across Qld for #NationalScienceWeek & beyond, & they’ve all left with a far greater appreciation & respect for snakes. Education shapes perceptions, & perceptions shape behaviour 🤓🐍💚!
Introducing the #SnakeWheelOfFortune poster! In working w/ dozens of snake educators from over 23 countries, I saw a major gap in our education re snakes. We all needed a simple, powerful visual to explain the many benefits of snakes to people. After 1yr of design & peer-review, it is now published!
September 5, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Introducing the #SnakeWheelOfFortune poster! In working w/ dozens of snake educators from over 23 countries, I saw a major gap in our education re snakes. We all needed a simple, powerful visual to explain the many benefits of snakes to people. After 1yr of design & peer-review, it is now published!
#NationalScienceWeek was a super success! Such a privilege to be able to engage w/ communities in rural/remote/regional Queensland as Inspiring Australia’s ambassador this year. These folks often miss out on #STEMed, but not this year! Thanks to Dr. Anita Milroy for her connections and vision.
September 5, 2025 at 2:09 AM
#NationalScienceWeek was a super success! Such a privilege to be able to engage w/ communities in rural/remote/regional Queensland as Inspiring Australia’s ambassador this year. These folks often miss out on #STEMed, but not this year! Thanks to Dr. Anita Milroy for her connections and vision.
Time to vote for Australia’s most underrated animal!! And the clear choice is the Palm Cockatoo, of course. Vote in the next 24hrs here:
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
August 13, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Time to vote for Australia’s most underrated animal!! And the clear choice is the Palm Cockatoo, of course. Vote in the next 24hrs here:
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
Reposted by Dr Christina N. Zdenek
I'm voting for #TeamMarsupialMole, but palm cockatoos are my second favourite.
Take a listen to this great chat, with @cnzdenek.bsky.social www.abc.net.au/listen/progr... #NationalScienceWeek #AustraliasMostUnderratedAnimal
Take a listen to this great chat, with @cnzdenek.bsky.social www.abc.net.au/listen/progr... #NationalScienceWeek #AustraliasMostUnderratedAnimal
Underrated animals: Palm Cockatoo - ABC listen
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 Islan...
www.abc.net.au
August 9, 2025 at 6:05 AM
I'm voting for #TeamMarsupialMole, but palm cockatoos are my second favourite.
Take a listen to this great chat, with @cnzdenek.bsky.social www.abc.net.au/listen/progr... #NationalScienceWeek #AustraliasMostUnderratedAnimal
Take a listen to this great chat, with @cnzdenek.bsky.social www.abc.net.au/listen/progr... #NationalScienceWeek #AustraliasMostUnderratedAnimal
I have been leading loads of Palm Cockatoo conservation research and management up Cape York way this past month! Doing everything we can (given financial constraints) to save this endangered species. #PalmCockatooProject
August 2, 2025 at 2:50 AM
I have been leading loads of Palm Cockatoo conservation research and management up Cape York way this past month! Doing everything we can (given financial constraints) to save this endangered species. #PalmCockatooProject
New paper! We studied venom coagulation of 🐍 from the understudied pit viper genus Bothrocophias. This genus of pit-vipers, sister genus to the more well-known Bothrops, has 9 recognised species, & are relatively restricted in range, occupying Andean South America & equatorial Brazil…(1/4 posts 👇)
July 9, 2025 at 1:09 PM
New paper! We studied venom coagulation of 🐍 from the understudied pit viper genus Bothrocophias. This genus of pit-vipers, sister genus to the more well-known Bothrops, has 9 recognised species, & are relatively restricted in range, occupying Andean South America & equatorial Brazil…(1/4 posts 👇)
#PalmCockatooProject conservation work is ramping up again this year 🥹🤓.
July 2, 2025 at 10:55 AM
#PalmCockatooProject conservation work is ramping up again this year 🥹🤓.
Woogaroo Forest in SE Qld a case study by Margaret Castles of UniAdelaide for: “Native veg never intrinsically valued in Australia. It’s been viewed as a resource to be exploited & used to progress human interests, regardless of the real cost. Our legislation ❌ make net ➕ve 4nature. #ICCB2025
June 18, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Woogaroo Forest in SE Qld a case study by Margaret Castles of UniAdelaide for: “Native veg never intrinsically valued in Australia. It’s been viewed as a resource to be exploited & used to progress human interests, regardless of the real cost. Our legislation ❌ make net ➕ve 4nature. #ICCB2025
A new sustainability standard has been set for conference lanyards! This #ICCB2025 one is compostable & plantable! Native seeds r embedded into the name tag so local delegates encouraged to plant it for habitat. How good?! As paying delegates, we can and should ask for sustainability like this 😎💃
June 17, 2025 at 2:16 PM
A new sustainability standard has been set for conference lanyards! This #ICCB2025 one is compostable & plantable! Native seeds r embedded into the name tag so local delegates encouraged to plant it for habitat. How good?! As paying delegates, we can and should ask for sustainability like this 😎💃
Wow. In USA, 1.5 Billion birds are killed by cats 😳😡. Up to 2 Billion birds r killed by building strike 😭 (there are window solutions to this). Of 92,000 records of building strikes: 56% die by Low Rises; 44% Residential; High Rises <1%. Presented by Nicholas Liadis @iccb2025.bsky.social #ICCB2025
June 17, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Wow. In USA, 1.5 Billion birds are killed by cats 😳😡. Up to 2 Billion birds r killed by building strike 😭 (there are window solutions to this). Of 92,000 records of building strikes: 56% die by Low Rises; 44% Residential; High Rises <1%. Presented by Nicholas Liadis @iccb2025.bsky.social #ICCB2025
Liz Gould of Connect4Conservation and Birdlife demonstrates the power of community engagement, intel, and private properties for the conservation of a threatened (and adorable), legless lizard in SEQueensland: Delma torquata 🥹. @iccb2025.bsky.social #ICCB2025
June 17, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Liz Gould of Connect4Conservation and Birdlife demonstrates the power of community engagement, intel, and private properties for the conservation of a threatened (and adorable), legless lizard in SEQueensland: Delma torquata 🥹. @iccb2025.bsky.social #ICCB2025
A/Prof Dominique Potvin presented her work on Greater Glider diet today @iccb2025.bsky.social via analysing their 💩. They ate 18 species of eucalyptus and casuarina! ‘It’s 2025 and we still don’t know basic biology of large, charismatic Australian species’. #ICCB2025
June 16, 2025 at 6:23 AM
A/Prof Dominique Potvin presented her work on Greater Glider diet today @iccb2025.bsky.social via analysing their 💩. They ate 18 species of eucalyptus and casuarina! ‘It’s 2025 and we still don’t know basic biology of large, charismatic Australian species’. #ICCB2025
Dr April Reside convinces us at #ICCB2025 that microbats are the best crop-pest eaters! Eating their body weight in insects every night 😳. They indeed forage in veggie crop farms, but can we do better to lure more microbat species to do more crop-protecting help? @iccb2025.bsky.social
June 16, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Dr April Reside convinces us at #ICCB2025 that microbats are the best crop-pest eaters! Eating their body weight in insects every night 😳. They indeed forage in veggie crop farms, but can we do better to lure more microbat species to do more crop-protecting help? @iccb2025.bsky.social
Plenary III @iccb2025.bsky.social today: Deborah Tabart of Aus Koala Foundation: “This planet is in trouble, and if we can’t save the koala, you can’t save anything.” We need to be better than great scientists; we need to be great communicators.“
June 16, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Plenary III @iccb2025.bsky.social today: Deborah Tabart of Aus Koala Foundation: “This planet is in trouble, and if we can’t save the koala, you can’t save anything.” We need to be better than great scientists; we need to be great communicators.“
Plenary II today @iccb2025.bsky.social : A/Prof Binbin Li. “Are protected areas prohibiting local progress?” ‘No’ b/c of co-benefits (eg reduced landslides & more flavourful tea). For effective conservation, enter community via the community, not via the elite. & ensure a return on time investment.
June 15, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Plenary II today @iccb2025.bsky.social : A/Prof Binbin Li. “Are protected areas prohibiting local progress?” ‘No’ b/c of co-benefits (eg reduced landslides & more flavourful tea). For effective conservation, enter community via the community, not via the elite. & ensure a return on time investment.