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The Western Woodlands of NSW are the 'green lungs' of Western NSW. Their protection is critical for many animal and plant species at risk with extinction. The following animals are just examples of the species at risk: koala, malleefowl, black-striped wallaby, glossy black cockatoo, squirrel glider, diamond firetail, barking owl, turquoise parrot, regent honeyeater, pilliga mouse, bush stone-curlew.
For example animals of the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (BBS) in the north west of NSW are facing dramatic declines. It is stated that the extinction rate of grassy woodland and grassland species in this region is the highest in Australia. In this region:
- 11 endangered animal species and 41 vulnerable animal species listed on the
Threatened Species Conservation Act occur
- 17 mammals are believed to be extinct
- More than 35% of all vertebrate
fauna (birds)are recognised as being at risk
NSW's woodland birds are disappearing! Please help!
Koala
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The Koala is endemic to Australia and is one of the most interesting animals on the world. For many years, koala has been thought of as a "bear" species for their appearance; however they are marsupials as the wombat, wallaby or kangaroo, which raise their baby in their pouch. Koala is particular for their diet and slow metabolic rate. They feed on only a few species of Eucalypt. The leaves of the Eucalypt need a long time to be digested as they are highly lignified, toxic and low in nutrients. As the result, the Koala spend most of their time for resting as a mechanism for energy conservation. They are only active for a few hours after sunset and thus, they are very impressive for their 'lazy' look. The Koala is one of the most endangered species as their habitat, the eucalypt forest and woodland are rapidly destructed by agriculture and urban development. In NSW, Koala is declared as a vulnerable species. The Pilliga is the most significant habitat for Koala in NSW as it has the largest Koala population in NSW. The population of Koala is also significant in many other sites of the Brigalow Belt South, such as the Black Jack Group, Kerringale Group and Killarney Group. |
The Pilliga hosts one of the largest |
Malleefowl
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The Malleefowl is distintive bird in mallee woodland for its large size and ground dwelling habit. Malleefowl is also special for its ability to monitor the temperature in its egg-chamber. Unlike other birds, Malleefowls do not sit on their eggs but let the temperature of the mound incubate their eggs. The male builds a large mound and keeps the temperature of the mound at around 330C in order for the eggs to hatch while the female lays eggs. It is believed that the male Malleefowl tests the temperature of the mound with his tongue. Malleefowl is listed as an endangered species in NSW. This is mainly due to the loss of their habitat, hunting and egg colecting as well as predation by foxes. The conservation of the Brigalow Belt South is very crucial in maintaining the habitat for the Malleefowl as Pilliga, Terry Hie Hie, Tuckland and Warialda are very significant habitats in NSW of this species. |
Endangered Malleefowl |
Black-striped Wallaby
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Black-striped
Wallaby is one of the endangered animals in NSW. This macropod species
has distinguishing mid-dorsal dark stripe from neck to rump. They mostly
inhabit in open forest of thick brigalow regrowth and other shrub understorey
woodlands and are faunal composition of the northern tropical region.
The BBS is therefore of crucial importance in the conservation of this
species.
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Black-striped
Wallaby with Joey. |
Glossy Black Cockatoo
| The Glossy Black Cockatoo is a significant bird species in the BBS. Glossy Black Cockatoo is listed as vulnerable in NSW under the TSCA 1995. The inland distribution of this bird species is dependent on the occurrence of various casuarina species as they feed exclusively on seeds extracted from the wooden cones of the casuarina. Glossy Black Cockatoo are facing a severe decline in population as logging and clearing have fragmented their habitat and destroyed their nesting sites and feeding resources. |
Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami) |
Squirrel Glider
| Squirrel Glider can be found at many areas in the BBS, for eg. the Beni Group, The Pilliga Group or the Killarney Group. This beautiful species is a vulnerable species in NSW. This species requires an abundance of hollow bearing trees as nesting site and a mix of acacia, banksia and eucalypts as food source. However, the fragmentation of their habitat through clearing, inappropriate fire regime and the predation of foxes and cats have tremendously affected their population. For this reason, woodlands at the BBS are very valuable habitat for Squirrel Glider. |
Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) |
Diamond Firetail
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The Diamond Firetail is listed as vulnerable species in NSW. This species has disappeared from many parts of its former range and has greatly declined in numbers due to clearance and fragmentation of habitat. Diamond Firetails occupy eucalypt woodlands, forests and mallee which has a grassy understorey as their habitat. However, the population of this bird species requires areas with remnants of native vegetation larger than 200 ha to persist. Leard Group, Pilliga Group and Yallaroi Group are known habitats for Diamond Firetail in BBS.
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Diamond Firetail |
Barking Owl
The Barking Owls are among the vulnerable species in NSW. Recent surveys of NPWS have verified that Pilliga woodlands and support the highest density population of Barking Owl in NSW. There are about 30 pairs of Barking Owl present at Pilliga forests. It is thought that this population persists because of high food availability as the forest habitats at Pilliga have not been cleared and the soils are relatively fertile. Barking Owl can also be found at other areas in BBS, such as the Kelvin Group, Kerringale Group, Killarney Group and Warialda Group.
Turquoise Parrot
The Turquoise Parrot or the Beautiful
Grass Parakeet is an amazing bird, which is endemic to Australia. Turquoise
Parrot is listed as vulnerable species in NSW and was once thought to be extinct
in Sydney. This parrot is dependent on the eucalyptus woodlands and open forests,
which have a ground cover of grasses and low understorey shrubs. Therefore,
protecting the BBS is very important in providing the shelters and food for
this bird species.
Regent Honeyeater
Regent Honeyeater was once very common
in woodlands of Eastern Australia. However, the loss and fragmentation of their
habitat has greatly reduced the population of this species to less than 1,500
birds and made them disappear in some parts of their previous habitat. Regent
Honeyeater is now listed as one of the endangered species in NSW. There is only
a small number of known breeding sites of this species in NSW, including the
Pilliga forests.
Pilliga mouse
This tiny mouse species, which only weighs 10grams, is a particular species for it is endemic in NSW and can only be found in Pilliga; however this species is facing dramatic decline in abundance and is listed as a vulnerable species in NSW. The creature's life is shaped by seasonal ebbs and flows. In the Pilliga state forests, it seeks the shrubby habitats dominated by Melaleuca and other heathy plants. Pilliga Mice live communally in simple burrow systems, comprised of two entrances and nest chamber, lined with leaves, some 20-30 cm below the surface. They may stay in these same burrows for up to six months of the year, particularly during the cooler months.
Habitat fragmentation by mining exploration and the removal of understorey plants have a detrimental effect on the survival of this species.
Bush Stone-curlew
The Bush Stone-curlew is one of the most notable woodland bird species of the state for its gangly legs and distinctive vocal calls. This species is one of the endangered species in NSW and experts worry that in 10 or 20 years, it would be too late to prevent them from being extinct. As the species is dependent on woodlands for their habitat, clearing, logging and firewood collection have extensively threatened their survival.
Common Ringtail Possum
| The Common Ringtail
Possum is the smallest of the 8 Ringtail Possum species in Australia. This
is a very common species in the woodlands. Ringtail Possum is nocturnal
and feed primarily on leaves. They also eat a variety of flowers and fruits.
They require dense understorey of banksias, wattles and tea-trees for habitat.
The Common Ringtail Possums are thought to be in decline or threatened with
extinction in the Pilliga due to increased human activity in their natural
habitats. |
Common Ringtail Possum(Pseudocheirus peregrinus) |
For more information:
To find out more about the campaign, and how you can help - contact the National Parks Association of NSW Head Office.
Email Tom and Bev at or ring 02 9299 0000
View NPA's integrated tourism concept "the Orana Loop Initiative" for Brigalow and the Orana region
National Parks Association of NSW |
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| Office location: | Level 9, 91 York Street, Sydney |
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| Postal address: | PO BOX A96, Sydney South, NSW 1235 |
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| Phone: | (02) 9299 0000 | |
| Fax: | (02) 9290 2525 | |
| Email: | ||
| Web Site: | www.npansw.org.au | |
Last update: 04/02/04
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