In the rainforest
One hundred and eighty million years ago, Australia was covered by a rainforest of conifers, cycads and ferns. As the climate warmed, eucalypts became dominant across the now dryer lands. Today, rainforest covers less than one percent of the continent; of high importance for its biodiversity. Monsoon rainforests are found in the far north, tropical and subtropical rainforests in the north and east, warm-temperate rainforests in New South Wales and Victoria, and cool-temperate rainforests in Victoria and Tasmania.
Picture: The secretive Russet-tailed Thrush, found in the dense rainforest and wet eucalpt forests of eastern Australia.
The Pale-yellow Robin favours the dense rainforest undergrowth of Australia’s east coast. This bird was photographed on the Big Scrub Trail, a small remnant of the sub-tropical rainforest that once covered the plains of the Byron Bay New South Wales hinterland.
The Superb Lyrebird, famous for its mimicry, found in the eastern rainforest, wet eucalypt forest and woodlands of eastern New South Wales.
A Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, enjoying the fruits of a Northern Territory palm tree. Pigeons and in particular Fruit-Doves play an important role in spreading the seeds of rainforest trees. The Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove is seen in the monsoon forests, mangroves and swampy woodlands of northern Australia and the east coast.
Logrunners are seen in the subtropical rainforests of east Australia’s high ranges. They puncuate the constant bird calls of the rainforest with their sharp, metallic call. Photographed at Mount Nardi in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.
The Rufous Fantail prefers dense wet eucalypt and monsoon rainforests. This bird was seen in a revegetated forest in the Northern Rivers region.
The Green Catbird adds a sinister note to the rainforest chorus with its catlike call. Green Catbirds prefer subtropical and sub-temperate rainforest, foraging in the high canopy.
Amongst the “Small Brown Birds”of the rainforest is this Large-billed Scrubwren. Other Small Brown Birds seen include the Brown Gerygone and the Brown Thornbill.
King Parrots add a splash of colour, high in the tall trees. King Parrots breed in the heavier coastal and mountain forests.
The Noisy Pitta, photographed in the depths of a Byron Bay rainforest. Pittas are seen in tropical rainforests from Africa to China. Australia has four species of Pitta.
A White-throated Treecreeper feeds on insects hiding in the bark of this tree. The White-throated Treecreeper is at home in the woodlands and river margins as well as the rainforest, extending from South Australia to northern Queensland.
The Brown Cuckoo-Dove is another contributor to the chorus of rainforest birds, with a distinctive loud repetitive rising call. It finds its home in the forests of Australia’s eastern coast.
The colourful Little Shrike-thrush is found from the coastal north of New South Wales to the northern reaches of Queensland and the Northern Territory. An inhabitant of monsoon forests and coastal woodlands.
The Brown-headed Emerald Dove, found down the east coast of Australia and in countries to the north. Another contributor to the strange sounds of the rainforest making a low purring followed by a series of rising calls.
Topknot Pigeons fly across the rainforest in large flocks, sometimes as many as one hundred birds. Easily recognisable by its strange hair-do!
The Superb Fruit-Dove with its spectacular plumage. It is rarely seen along the New South Wales coast with numbers increasing to the top of Queensland’s Cape York.
The Wonga Pigeon is more often seen walking rather than in a tree. It contributes its call, repetitive constant note to the rainforest bird chorus.
The female Regent Bowerbird shows a relatively subdued plumage compared to the brightly coloured (black and yellow) male, a spectacular sight in the darkness of the rainforest.
The Crested Shrike-tit, a spectacular sight in the rainforest, but more usually seen on open forest and woodlands of southern Queensland south to Victoria and South Australia.