In the rainforest

One hundred million years ago, Australia was covered by a rainforest of ferns and gymnosperms. Today, Australia has 3.6 million hectares of rainforest, 2.7% of the total forest area, key to supporting important biodiversity. 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, monsoon rainforests in northern Australia.

Picture: The secretive Russet-tailed Thrush, inhabitant of dense rainforest and woodlands of eastern Australia.

This Pale-yellow Robin was photographed on the Big Scrub Trail, a small remnant of the rainforest that once covered the plains of the Byron hinterland.

The Superb Lyrebird, famous for its mimicry, found in the eastern forests of New South Wales.

A Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, enjoying the fruits of a Northern Territory palm tree.

Logrunners puncuate the sounds of the rainforest with their sharp, metallic call. Photographed at Mount Nardi in the Mount Warning area.

This Rufous Fantail was seen in a revegetated forest in the Northern Rivers area.

The Green Catbird adds a sinister note to the rainforest chorus with its sinister catlike call.

Amongst the “Small Brown Birds”of the rainforest is this Large-billed Scrubwren. Others include the Brown Gerygone and the Brown Thornbill.

King Parrots add a splash of colour, high in the tall trees.

A White-throated Treecreeper feeds on insects hiding in the bark of this tree.

The Brown Cuckoo-Dove is another contributor to the chorus of rainforest birds.

The colourful Little Shrike-thrush.

The Brown-headed Emerald Dove, found down the east coast of Australia and in countries to the north.

Topknot Parrots fly across the rainforest in large flocks, sometimes as many as one hundred birds.

The Superb Parrot, rarely seen despite its spectacular plumage.

The Wonga Pigeon is more often seen walking rather than in a tree.

The female Regent Bowerbird shows a relatively subdued plumage compared to the brightly coloured (black and yellow) male.

The Crested Shrike-tit, another spectacular sight in the rainforest.