Our Wildlife other wildlife
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Dingo - Canis lupus dingo
Nature's bulldozers
Koala Phascolarctos cinereus
Little Red Flying-fox - Pteropus scapulatus REPTILES Tree lovers These woodland and forest inhabitants are surprisingly agile on trees, giving rise to an alternative common name, the Tree Goanna. Lace Monitors also rely on trees for their hollow shelters, although hollow logs and burrows may also be used. If alarmed they are likely to scurry up the nearest tree using enormously powerful claws. Termite mound incubators Lace Monitor females dig through the walls of inhabited termite mounds to lay their eggs. Termites proceed to repair the holes created by the lizards, enclosing the eggs and providing a safe nesting site. After an incubation period between two and ten months, the female returns and releases her hatchlings. What's on the menu? Lace Monitors are carnivores, preying on birds, mammals, lizards, eggs and insects. These large lizards will even scavenge around picnic and camping grounds in search of the next meal. Large monitors are considered to have high intelligence; almost as high as that of mammals. Freshwater Crocodile Walked with dinosaurs Crocodiles roamed the Earth at the same time as dinosaurs. Their characteristic snouts, armoured scales, sharp teeth and webbed hind feet have remained relatively unchanged for over 200 million years. Amphibious life Found throughout billabongs, rivers and wetlands of Northern Australia, Freshwater Crocodiles are well adapted to an amphibious life. They can hold their breath under water for up to an hour and swim rapidly by means of their powerful tails. On land they move very quickly over short distances and can propel themselves at great speed down sloping river banks into water. Top of the food chain Lone Pine is home to Freshwater Crocodiles which are smaller than their saltwater relatives and are recognised by their long, narrow snout. Although active during the day, Freshwater Crocodiles are ambush predators by night, feeding on insects, fish, frogs, lizards and birds. Despite appearances, turtles and birds are more closely related to crocodiles than lizards. Mertens’ Water Monitor Amphibious life Mertens' Water Monitors are rarely seen far from water and are often found climbing on rocks or trees or basking on branches overhanging rivers, creeks and billabongs. This amphibious lizard can remain under water for several minutes with the help of a special nostril valve that shuts tightly when the monitor submerges. Meat lover Mertens' Water Monitors are carnivores, preferring fish, frogs and small mammals but will also eat insects, lizards and carrion. These monitors have a very good sense of smell and often digs up prey when foraging for food. Vulnerable species The introduced Cane Toad is a major threat to the Mertens' Water Monitor, as they compete for food sources. Monitors also eat Cane Toads and die when they ingest the toxins in the toad's skin. Freshwater Turtle Turtle, terrapin or tortoise? There are many lifestyle differences between turtles and tortoises. At Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, we display Some freshwater turtles, like the Mary River Turtle, can breathe underwater using special air sacs near their bottoms. Most freshwater turtles eat both plants and meat, but some species are entirely herbivorous or entirely carnivorous. Freshwater turtles take advantage of the potential food sources around them and are not fussy about their meals. Depending on the species, turtles feed on a mixture of invertebrates, crustaceans, fish, tadpoles and aquatic plants. Nature's little helpers Seed dispersal and vegetation management, control of insect and snail populations and keeping water clean by scavenging dead animals are just a few of the things turtles do to help their ecosystems. Perentie Australia's largest lizard The Perentie can grow to around 2.5 metres in length, making this arid region species the largest lizard in Australia. Perenties use their size to deter potential threats by rising up, swelling their throat and hissing. Their whip-like tail may also be used as a means of defence. If all else fails, they run away. Meat for carnivores Perenties are carnivores and prey on a variety of food including insects, birds, eggs, small mammals and other reptiles. A large, full mature Perentie may even attack small kangaroos. The Perentie will violently shake the prey until it is dead and then swallow it whole. A tongue for smelling Monitors like the Perentie differ from all other lizards due to their forked tongue. They constantly flick their tongue in and out; picking up scents from the air interpreting them with a structure on the roof of their mouth called the Jacobson’s organ. Research suggests that monitors have the remains of a venom gland, which may explain why bites from these lizards take a long time to heal. BIRDS Australian Wood Duck A duck of out water The Australian Wood Duck is the least aquatic of all Australian ducks, and is commonly seen grazing on grass and herbs. They nest high up in tree hollows, sometimes up to a kilometre from water. The first flight The female duck teaches her newborn ducklings to fly and leave the nest by repeatedly flying to and from the nest and the ground, while calling out to her young along the way. Love ducks The male and female Australian Wood Ducks form a very strong bond. Choosing to stay together and mate for life, if possible. Barking Owl Ninox connivens Superior hunter The large, yellow eyes of the Barking Owl mark this bird as a type of hawk owl. Prey is hunted with keen eyesight and seized in powerful talons from the ground, from trees and even mid-flight. What's on the menu? The Barking Owl hunts at twilight, searching its woodland habitat for mammals, reptiles, insects and even other birds. Prey up to the size of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos can be caught. Any food too big to be swallowed whole is torn up with the sharp, curved beak and eaten piece by piece. Screaming-woman bird These owls are named for their 'barking' call but can also make a much louder, wailing cry, which has given rise to another name, the 'screaming-woman bird'. Some believe the call of the owl to be the source of the Bunyip myth. Blue-winged Kookaburra Kookaburra club Blue-winged Kookaburras are the smaller, shyer relative of the well-known Laughing Kookaburra. Blue-winged Kookaburras prefer wetter habitat, although where living space of the two kookaburra species overlaps, it is not unusual to a few Blue-winged Kookaburras and several Laughing Kookaburras in a row, watching motionlessly for movement of prey below. Family life Blue-winged Kookaburras mate for life and live in family groups consisting of a breeding pair, their current brood and offspring from previous years. Offspring usually live with their parents for several years, perfecting the skills required to find a mate and establish a territory of their own. Meat-lovers Blue-winged Kookaburras are carnivores. They take a wide variety of prey including insects, frogs, crayfish, small birds, spiders, worms, reptiles and small mammals. Large prey items like lizards and snakes are bashed against a tree or a rock, to kill them and soften them up before they are eaten.
Predator of the night Bush Thick-knees (also known as the Bush Stone-curlew) emerge at dusk, walking or flying out to forage either on land or in water. These ground-dwelling birds are omnivores, feeding primarily on insects, molluscs, lizards and seeds. Superior camouflage During the day, Bush Thick-knees roost on the ground, relying on their cryptic plumage to protect them from predators. When disturbed, they freeze motionless, often in odd-looking postures. On the decline Bush Thick-knees are listed internationally as 'Near Threatened' due to widespread population decline in the southern parts of Australia. Habitat destruction as well as fox and cat predation are major threats to this species. Cockatoo Cockatoo communicationRecognisable by their curved beaks and showy crests, cockatoos communicate using vocalisations and body language, often raising their crests in greeting, excitement or alarm. Hello cockie! Cockatoos, along with some parrots, have the most evolved brains in all birds. They became easily habituated among people, and can imitate all sorts of noises, including human words. Listen carefully to see if you can recognise Lone Pine's cockatoo conversations! Faithful lovers Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are highly social and monogamous breeders, with pair bonds lasting many years, sometimes for life. Lone Pine's Eagle Island sustained in the wild. Unfortunately, the eagles never regained flight capabilities and were unsuitable for release. On a positive note, Wedge-tailed Eagles mate for life and Phoenix and Talon are now a bonded pair. Raptors are birds of prey that hunt for food primarily in flight, and catch their food with their feet. They have powerful feet with sharp talons, a hooked beak and excellent eyesight. With a wingspan of up to 2.5 metres, Wedge-tailed Eagles are Australia's largest bird of prey and one of the most powerful raptors in the world. These eagles can lift an impressive 50% of their body weight. Until the 1960s Wedge-tailed Eagles were persecuted as a threat to lambs and sheep. Seeing the birds picking at carcasses led graziers to assume they were responsible for killing the stock. Research established that Wedge-tailed Eagles rarely attack fit lambs, let alone full-grown sheep. These birds usually prey on rabbits, birds, reptiles, mammals and carrion. Today this species is protected throughout Australia. currents for hours at a time, reaching altitudes of two kilometres. Gang-gang Cockatoo Cockatoo communication Recognisable by their curved beaks and showy crests, cockatoos communicate using vocalisations and body language, often raising their crests in greeting, excitement or alarm. Escaping the heat During the hottest part of the day, Gang-gangs will sit still among the branches of a eucalypt for hours, perhaps joining in mutual preening. What's on the menu? Gang-gangs feed mainly on the seeds of native shrubs and trees, including eucalyptus, acacias, cypress pine and introduced hawthorn species. These noisy feeders crack seed capsules open with their strong bills and bite off clusters of berries or seeds, holding them in one foot to eat. Golden-shouldered Parrot A rare beauty One of the main reasons for the decline of this endangered species is the illegal wildlife trafficking trade. The striking colours and slender build of this parrot has made it a popular species of wildlife smugglers, who remove the birds from Australia, devastating their wild populations. There's no place like home! Golden-shouldered Parrots have unique nesting habits. Breeding pairs dig a burrow measuring up to half a metre inside a 35 to 50 year old termite mound. Pairs will rarely nest in the same termite mound twice, making it tough to find suitable nesting sites each year. What's for lunch? Throughout the Golden-shouldered Parrot's grassy woodland habitat, it is often seen on the ground, feeding on grass seeds. During the wet season, food shortages occur and the parrots are forced to adapt their diet. Cattle grazing and farming have also reduced the availability of annual and perennial grass seeds. Laughing Kookaburra Territorial legends The Laughing Kookaburra is the world's largest kingfisher but unlike most of its relatives, it is sedentary and occupies the same territory year round. Their unique call advertises territory throughout their eucalypt woodland and open forest habitats. Perch and pounce hunters To catch its food, the meat-loving kookaburra uses a wait-and-pounce technique. With a good view of its prey, the kookaburra drops straight down from its perch, beak ready to grab its food. Large prey items like lizards and snakes are bashed against a tree or a rock, to kill them and soften them up before they are eaten. Family ties Laughing Kookaburras mate for life and establish a social system in which only the dominant male and female in a family group will breed. Nests are made in tree hollows or termite mounds and the entire family contributes to incubation, feeding, and protection of the young.
According to legend, the kookaburra's morning call is a signal for the sky people to light the great fire that illuminates and warms the earth by day. Little Corella A noisy bunch! Little Corellas are an expressive, social bird with a variety of vocal sounds. The most common is the alarm call, which is a piercing boisterous screech. A variety of contact calls can also be heard from large flocks in flight. Several thousands of corellas have been seen to flock together, mostly at roosting time, midday and night. Home decorating Little Corellas are quiet and secretive in their nesting sites. Breeding pairs prepare their site with fresh litter by chewing the inside a tree hollow. Some pairs develop a permanent bond and inhabit the same nesting site over several years. Little Corella picnic Although the little corellas roost in trees, they mostly feed on the ground, consuming various seeds and legumes. Some corellas in Western Australia have adapted a longer bill to help them dig up and feed on bulbs. Lorikeets Brightly coloured acrobats All six native Australian lorikeet species are brightly coloured and intelligent. Although each species varies in shades of colour and markings, most are outgoing, chatty and dexterous in nature. Strong feet and legs coupled with tapered wings and pointed tails allow them to fly easily and display great agility. Hair-tipped tongue Lorikeets are one of the few parrots that eat mainly nectar and pollen and therefore have a specialised hair-tipped tongue for feeding. They can feed from the flowers of about 5,000 species of plants, including eucalyptus and grevillea. Backyard buddy The best action you can take to attract these amazing birds to your backyard is to grow native plants. Visit our souvenir shop for native seeds to start your own backyard sanctuary. Did you know? The Rainbow Lorikeet was the first Australian bird ever to be illustrated in colour in 1774.
Pink Cockatoo or Major Mitchell? Often called a pink cockatoo due to its soft pink body colouring, the Major Mitchell Cockatoo is in fact named after Major Sir Thomas Mitchell, who was a surveyor and explorer of South-east Australia during the 1800s. Faithful Lovers During the mating season, males attract females by strutting along branches bobbing their heads with their crests raised. Like many Australian cockatoos, adult pairs mate for life and return to the same breeding grounds year after year. What's on the menu? At times Major Mitchell Cockatoos will feed on various insects, however their diet primarily consists of over 30 species of plants including wattles,hakeas, grevilleas and pines throughout their shrub and woodland habitat. Pheasant Coucal Pheasant or cuckoo? The Pheasant Coucal is not a pheasant but a longed-tailed relative of the cuckoo, with limited powers of flight. Unlike other Australian cuckoos however, the coucal does not parasitise the nest of other birds. Instead these birds build a roofed nest with both sexes incubating the eggs and sharing the feeding duties. Secretive ground dwellers Usually heard rather than seen, the distinctive, hollow 'oop, oop' call is repeated many times increasing in pitch and speed. When the Pheasant Coucal is spotted, it is most commonly seen running across the ground or perched on fence posts or dead trees. Princess Parrot Elusive nomads This species is nomadic, arriving in small groups to breed and then disappearing, sometimes up to decades at a time. Little is known about the habits of the Princess Parrot as few bird experts have been lucky enough to see it in the wild. Mobbing They are unusual among parrots as they engage in mobbing behaviour against predators such as the Australian Hobby. A royal name Also known as the Alexandra's Parrot and Rose-throated Parakeet, this species was named in honour of Queen Alexandra when she was Princess of Wales. Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Cockatoo communication Recognisable by their curved beaks and showy crests, cockatoos communicate using vocalisations and body language, often raising their crests in greeting, excitement or alarm. Family birds Red-tailed Black Cockatoos are often seen flying in small flocks, although flocks of up to 200 birds have been sighted in the northern range of distribution. These flocks consist of pairs, family groups, or parties of several family groups. What's on the menu? Red-tailed Black Cockatoos primarily feed high in tree tops on eucalyptus seeds, nuts, fruit and occasionally insect larvae. Red-winged Parrot Tree lovers The Red-winged Parrot usually comes to ground only to drink, preferring to groom, feed and breed in their favoured eucalypt woods. As with many Australian parrot species, Red-winged Parrots rely on tree hollows to raise their young. Courtship dance When courting, the male Red-winged Parrot chatters softly while taking short flights around the female. He perches nearby the female and droops his wings, exposing the blue on his lower back. He then draws his body plumage in tightly and takes two or three slow steps towards the female. Private parrots Red-winged Parrots are not as communal as some of their relatives; they are usually seen in pairs or small family groups. This species feeds on seeds, fruits, buds and blossoms, however rarely gather in feeding flocks. Southern Cassowary Rainforest warriors The large, flightless Southern Cassowary is a resident of the north- eastern rainforests of Queensland. Due to the tall, bony helmet (called a casque) and 120mm claw on the inside toe of each foot, cassowaries are also known as 'Rainforest Warriors'. They use their casque to tear a path through thick undergrowth and their claws to defend their young. Did you know? Although the emu is Australia's tallest bird, the cassowary is the heaviest, with females weighing up to 70kg. Cassowaries feed on almost anything, including fallen fruit, fungi, snails and dead or living rats, birds and lizards. Due to its body and territory size, cassowaries make excellent rainforest gardeners. Seeds pass through the bird's body intact, and in this way it disperses the seeds of more than 100 plant species. There are many reasons why the Southern Cassowary is an endangered species, however interference with its habitat is a serious problem for not only the bird but for many plant species. The cassowary may be the only seed-disperser in its habitat and the loss of this species could mean the loss of the only method of seed dispersal for many rainforest plants. Tawny Frogmouth I am not an owl! Though often mistaken for an owl, the Tawny Frogmouth belongs to the Nightjar family.
The Tawny Frogmouth displays excellent camouflage. Helped by the colours of its feathers,these birds stay perfectly still, with their heads tilted upright, making them hard to distinguish from the tree. Tawny Frogmouths remain silent and still while waiting for their prey to come to them, rather than seeking out their food. Once their prey is in sight, Tawny Frogmouths pounce down from their tree branch. Prey include insects, frogs and other small animals.
Brightly coloured acrobats All six native Australian lorikeet species are brightly coloured and intelligent. Although each species varies in shades of colour and markings, most are outgoing, chatty and dexterous in nature. Strong feet and legs coupled with tapered wings and pointed tails allow them to fly easily and display great agility. Hair-tipped tongue Lorikeets are one of the few parrots that eat mainly nectar and pollen and therefore have a specialised brush-tipped tongue for feeding. Favoured nectar sources of the Varied Lorikeet include eucalyptus, paperbarks and grevilleas. Energetic eaters Varied Lorikeets congregate in small or large flocks, dominating feeding sources and scrambling about foliage, clinging in all possible positions to flowering sprays. Sometimes they chase one another from the preferred tree, bowing and hissing in threat.
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