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Richmond Birdwing
Ornithoptera richmondia
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumArthropoda (Arthropods)
- ClassInsecta (Insects)
- OrderLepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- FamilyPapilionidae (Swallowtails and Parnassians)
- GenusOrnithoptera (Birdwings)
- SpeciesOrnithoptera richmondia (Richmond Birdwing)
In 3 days ~60% in a week ~90%
71 Verified sightings at Lamington National Park From 2019 to 2026
104 In all 2 parks
December Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted
About the Richmond Birdwing
Ornithoptera richmondia, the Richmond birdwing, is a species of birdwing butterfly that is endemic to Australia. It is the second smallest of the birdwing species, the smallest being Ornithoptera meridionalis. Historically, O. richmondia is recorded from rainforests southwards from Maryborough to the Clarence River in New South Wales. Due to widespread habitat loss throughout its range, its distribution is much more restricted, especially in Queensland. Its present-day range is from Kin Kin and Pomona, North Arm, Yandina, Coolum (although this population is now extinct due to drought), Parklands and Nambour, Diddillibah, Buderim, Eudlo, Palmwoods, the Mooloolah and Diamond Valleys, the entire Blackall Range southeast from Kenilworth to the state forest near the Caloundra Turnoff and west to Peachester and the Stanley River, and the Conondale Range southwards to Mount Mee.
South of Brisbane, the species is recorded along the Nerang River and the Tallebudgera valleys and has an important stronghold in the national parks adjacent to the Queensland-New South Wales border. In New South Wales, the species is widespread in rainforest southwards to the Blackwall Range near... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Richmond Birdwing in Lamington National Park
LIVEiNaturalistGlobal Distribution
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamington National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Springbrook National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Closest Relatives at Lamington National Park
Before you go
What are the chances of seeing a Richmond Birdwing in Lamington National Park?
Possible
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Richmond Birdwing sighting in Lamington National Park on a given day, based on 71 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 13th most-seen of the 430 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 60%, and over a week to about 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.
When is the best time to see a Richmond Birdwing in Lamington National Park?
December
In that month about 50% of wildlife watchers report a Richmond Birdwing in Lamington National Park on a given day, against under 5% in April and June–September, the lowest months. That is one of Lamington National Park's wettest months, with about 140 mm of rain against 40 mm in August.
What time of day is best to see a Richmond Birdwing?
Between 10 am and 1 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Richmond Birdwing sightings with a recorded time, and nearly all of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Is Lamington National Park the best place to see a Richmond Birdwing?
Yes
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Richmond Birdwing sightings, Lamington National Park has the highest daily chance: about 30%. Next come Springbrook National Park (Australia, about 20%).
Which relatives of the Richmond Birdwing live in Lamington National Park?
Same family: Papilionidae
The closest relatives of the Richmond Birdwing that you can see in Lamington National Park (family Papilionidae, Swallowtails and Parnassians) are Orchard Swallowtail (about 30%), Macleay's Swallowtail (about 20%) and Four-Barred Swordtail (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
Where does the Richmond Birdwing sighting chance come from?
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Richmond Birdwing is recorded against all the insects logged in Lamington National Park (71 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
