Amazing Animals: Beakless birds and whale words

About this episode

This episode features an Amazing Animals special discussing unique creatures and their communication methods.

We're eager as a beaver to bring you this week's News Time, because it's another Amazing Animals special! You’ll hear about a giant spiky creature that once roamed Australia; and meet Bruce, a disabled bird from New Zealand. Then we'll dive deep underwater and use our ears to find our Wow of the Week! Quiz Questions 1. What animal did the fossil in the museum belong to? 2. Is Bruce the Kea missing the top or bottom part of his beak? 3. What was the name of the dog helping kids read? 4. What does Kungaka mean in language? 5. The whales communicate in a series of short clicks, what are these called? (Hint: It starts with C) Answers 1. A giant echidna 2. The top 3. Tashi 4. The hidden one 5. Codas

Topics covered

• Amazing Animals
• wildlife
• communication
• fossils
• disabled animals

Keywords

• beakless birds
• whale communication
• echidna
• disabled bird
• New Zealand

Mentioned in this episode

Products: giant echidna, giant spiky creature

Books & works: Kungaka

Places: Australia, New Zealand, Kea

More episodes of News Time

• Silent room and quirky kakapo · September 8, 2026 · 9 min
• Bush school and snapping jaws · September 6, 2026 · 9 min
• Donor doggos and humming Earth · September 3, 2026 · 10 min
• Mushroom kingdom and plastic bikkies · September 1, 2026 · 10 min
• Community cycle and rapid robot · August 30, 2026 · 9 min
• Deep dark skies and meaningful footy games · August 27, 2026 · 9 min