Australian Fauna

Ibis - a bird that was introduced to Australia. It origins from China, and turned to be a pest here. They have easily adapted to the urban life and they live on garbage cans and eating left over or anything else. They are not very welcomed by the Australians.

Kookaburra - This bird is easy found in any part of Australia, including inside the big cities. It made a very strong and characteristic sound that can be heard from very far away. Normally it is not too afraid of humans, allowing to get as close as 1 meter before flying away. This animal is very symbolic of Australia. It is a big bird, about the size of a duck. 

Lorikeets - These birds with spectacular colours inhabit any tropical part of Australia. They are seen in large quantities, free and happy in the forests and often in the urban cities. The sounds they make before the sunset is very loud (especially when in a large group) and sometimes annoying. It is so loud that is impossible to make a conversation when really close to them.

Fishing Martin - it is a type of gull that inhabits Australian beaches. It lives exclusively of fish and it has a small yellow beak. In our last 6 years travelling in different places, we have never seen another  one, therefore we think maybe this species is fairly rare.

Seagull – the opposite of the bird above, this one is very common, with large numbers in any remote Australian beach and cities close to thee beach. They spend the whole day fighting for food because males are very dominants. In the end of the day, you can see them getting together in big groups and finally calming down. To feed seagulls with bread or any other food may cause fines.

Cassuary - it was almost extinct, but after the effort of the Australian department of conservation, is recovering in numbers. They have also established a special reserve for them close to Cairns. The animal is very similar to  a small ostrich or emu, having the head a fluorescent blue. They do not have fear of humans and may even following you in a hike. The male are the one who looks after the babies. 

Pelicans - The species inhabiting Australia are considered the biggest in the world. They are big, in reality enormous, covering all sea side regions, including beaches and city canals. Feeding Pelicans is also prohibited and you could get a fine. They are friendly and happy, even may even come inside your house if the door is left opened. 

Ducks – Found in large numbers in most cities of Australia. They always mainly live as a couple or in threes and mostly by themselves instead of forming groups. This happens only when they belong to the same family. The male and the female pair do not allow approach of other birds of the same species. 

Tasman Devil, next to extinction, but has lately grown in population. It is found in the wild in the state of Tasmania, and has the fame of being bad mainly because the size of their two front tooth which are large and very sharp, giving the animal a vampire look, the inspiration for its name. 

Kangaroo, There are more than  50 different species, from the small ones such as the Wallabies, up to the Red, that reaches 2 meters in height. They are classified as Marsupial and they spend the day eating sleeping and having sex. The government of Australia liberated the extermination of 15.000 Kangaroos in 2003 as they were in excess numbers. Kangaroos can with only one jump cover a distance of up to 10 meters. 

Dingo - The Australian wild dog.  They live in certain areas, and can easily be found in Fraser Island in Queensland. They run free in beaches and around the Island, staying together sometimes in packs. Although they have a very friendly dog face, attacks to tourist specially kids have occurred many times before. They are wild animals so keep your distance from Dingo and never feed them.

Echidna and Hedgehog– It’s like a little pig with spikes and is widely found in Tasmania. When attacked it get shaped into a ball. These animals are predominantly nocturnal. 

Koala - Another symbolic Australian animal is the Koala and looks like a cuddly teddy bear. IT can most commonly be found where the vegetation is composed of Eucalyptus, the koalas main food source. They spend the day sleeping, waking  up after 3 pm to eat, poo and than later returning to sleep. They stay awaked for only around 5 hours per day. The reason is Eucalypts leaves provoke a sleeping mood. They are completely harmless, but be careful with the sharp claws. 

Blue Dragonfly – This insect is found in the forests of Queensland, such as the Carnavon National Park. It has a blue body, turning fluorescent blue when feel in danger.

Iguanas – Some of these reptiles can reach up to 2 meters in length, and are found abundantly in Australia national parks, deserts and also in places which are not very populated at the sea side. They are quiet and harmless, but they can become aggressive, so don’t get too close. They are herbivores and carnivores. 

Mud Crab – existing in large quantities in the canals, mangroves and estuaries in all of Australia. By law forbids capturing all females, and males sizing less than 20 cm of length of the carapace. The maximum amount per person is also regulated and numbers varies from state to state. 

Dugong -  Is in some Australian waters, with the Aborigines being the only ones authorized to capture them. They have a tradition of hunting these mammals as food source for more than 40,000 years.