Stirling Range National Park

Birds

Stirling Range National Park is a haven for birdwatchers, boasting an incredible array of bird species, from majestic birds of prey to colorful parrots. The park’s varied landscapes provide essential habitat for both endemic and migratory birds.

Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo
A striking and endangered species, Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo is known for its loud calls and strong social bonds. These large, black parrots with white tail patches rely on the park’s eucalypt woodlands for nesting and feeding on seeds from native trees.

Western Rosella
The smallest of Australia’s rosellas, the Western Rosella is a vibrant red and green parrot often seen foraging in the park’s open woodlands. They are typically found in pairs or small groups, feeding on seeds, flowers, and fruits.

Splendid Fairy-wren
One of Australia’s most visually stunning birds, the Splendid Fairy-wren features brilliant blue plumage on males, while females have a more subdued brownish-grey coloration. These tiny, energetic birds are commonly seen flitting through shrubs and low vegetation.

Wedge-tailed Eagle
Australia’s largest bird of prey, the Wedge-tailed Eagle is a formidable predator, often soaring high above the park’s rugged terrain in search of small mammals and carrion. Its impressive wingspan and distinctive wedge-shaped tail make it easy to identify.

Rufous Treecreeper
This small, insectivorous bird is a master climber, often seen hopping along tree trunks in search of insects and larvae. The Rufous Treecreeper’s rusty-brown coloration helps it blend into the bark of trees, providing excellent camouflage.

Elegant Parrot
A small and slender parrot, the Elegant Parrot has a striking mix of green and yellow plumage with a hint of blue on its wings. These birds are often seen in pairs or small flocks, foraging in grasslands and woodlands for seeds.

Australian Owlet-nightjar
A nocturnal bird with excellent camouflage, the Australian Owlet-nightjar is a secretive species that emerges at dusk to hunt insects. It is often heard rather than seen, with its soft, churring calls echoing through the forest at night.

Baudin’s Black Cockatoo
Closely related to Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, Baudin’s Black Cockatoo has a longer, thinner beak, which it uses to extract seeds from hard-shelled nuts. These intelligent birds have a distinct call and form strong family bonds within their flocks.

Brown Falcon
A medium-sized raptor, the Brown Falcon is a highly adaptable hunter that preys on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. It can be seen perched on tree branches or fence posts, scanning the ground for movement before swooping down to catch its prey.

Western Spinebill
A small and agile honeyeater, the Western Spinebill has a distinctive curved beak that allows it to feed on nectar from native flowers. Its rapid, darting movements make it a delight to watch as it flits between blossoms in search of food.

Stirling Range National Park, located in Western Australia, is known for its rugged mountain peaks, diverse ecosystems, and incredible biodiversity. The park is home to a variety of fascinating wildlife, from marsupials to reptiles, making it a prime location for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers.

Western Grey Kangaroo
One of the most common marsupials in the park, the Western Grey Kangaroo is a large, herbivorous species that can be found grazing in open woodlands and grasslands. These kangaroos are social animals, often seen in groups known as “mobs,” and are recognized for their thick, coarse fur and powerful hind legs.

Quokka
A small, nocturnal marsupial, the Quokka is well known for its friendly demeanor and “smiling” expression. While they are more commonly associated with Rottnest Island, small populations exist in the Stirling Range. They inhabit dense undergrowth and shrublands, feeding on leaves, bark, and grasses.

Echidna
The Short-beaked Echidna is a spiny, egg-laying mammal that roams the park’s woodlands and forests in search of ants and termites. Equipped with a long, sticky tongue and strong claws for digging, echidnas are fascinating creatures that play an important role in soil health.

Southern Brown Bandicoot
This small, nocturnal marsupial is often spotted foraging in the undergrowth for insects, seeds, and fungi. The Southern Brown Bandicoot has a distinctive pointed snout and coarse fur, making it well-adapted to digging and searching for food in leaf litter.

Tammar Wallaby
Smaller than the Western Grey Kangaroo, the Tammar Wallaby is a shy and nocturnal marsupial that thrives in dense shrublands. It is known for its incredible leaping ability and can survive in arid environments due to its efficient water retention.

Heath Monitor
A large, carnivorous lizard, the Heath Monitor, or Rosenberg’s Monitor, is an agile predator that preys on insects, small mammals, and even other reptiles. These monitors are strong climbers and burrowers, often seen basking on rocks or tree trunks.

Western Bluetongue Lizard
This slow-moving, ground-dwelling lizard is well-known for its striking blue tongue, which it uses as a defense mechanism to deter predators. Found in grasslands and shrublands, the Western Bluetongue Lizard feeds on insects, snails, and plant matter.

Carpet Python
One of the larger non-venomous snakes in the park, the Carpet Python is an ambush predator that constricts its prey. These pythons have striking patterns that help them blend into their surroundings, making them efficient hunters of small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Western Pygmy Possum
A tiny, nocturnal marsupial, the Western Pygmy Possum is an expert climber that feeds on nectar, pollen, and small insects. This species plays an important role in pollination, especially for native plant species in the Stirling Range.

Bobtail Skink
Recognized by its short, stumpy tail and robust body, the Bobtail Skink is a slow-moving reptile that feeds on fruits, flowers, and insects. It is well adapted to dry environments and is commonly spotted basking in the sun on warm days.