Fauna
Photos are for illustration purposes only. While all these species are found in Fred Caterson Reserve and most photos were taken on-site, some may have been taken in other locations.
Here is a small selection of fauna species that call Fred Caterson Reserve home.
This wildlife relies on the reserve for feeding, breeding, and roosting. Many animals are territorial or face habitat shortages, so cannot be relocated successfully. Even if they are relocated and survive, they will often displace other animals already living in their new locations. These situations do not often end well, resulting in animals dying or failing to reproduce, which can ultimately lead to more extinctions.
In Fred Caterson Reserve, every piece of habitat is important for supporting these species.
AUSTRALIAN BOOBOOK
Our smallest and most common owl, the Australian Boobook catches prey mid-air, or by pouncing. They require tree hollows in which to nest during the breeding season.
Photo: John Porter
AUSTRALIAN OWLET-NIGHTJAR
The Australian Owlet-Nightjar is our smallest nocturnal bird. Birds form permanent bonds, occupying the same territory throughout the year, requiring suitable hollows, as well as hollow tree tree trunks and branches in which to roost.
Photo: Ákos Lumnitzer
BRUSHTAIL POSSUM
In our bushland settings, Brushtail Possums eat leaves, buds, flowers and fruits, often using their front paws to hold their food while they eat. Brushtail Possums have a 'home-range' to which they stick to, avoiding conflict with other possums. Younger possums are more at risk of being attacked if they are to attempt to take over the range of an established adult.
COMMON RINGTAIL POSSUM
Ringtail Possums live in a variety of habitats, including our very own suburban yards! They can often be found sleeping in dreys (which looks like nests) during the day.
Photo: Warren Wilson
DOLLARBIRD
A native migratory bird, the Dollarbird visits Australia each year to breed from September to April, before returning to New Guinea and the surrounding islands. The female uses tree hollows in which to lay the eggs, often returning to the same site year after year.
Photo: Warren Wilson
EASTERN SPINEBILL
Energetic in flight, the Eastern Spinebill feeds on insects and nectar while either perched or hovering. Their long, fine beak is perfect for collecting nectar from native flowers, as well as giving them their distinctive look.
Photo: David Tuck
EASTERN WATER DRAGON
The Eastern Water Dragon lives along the east coast of Australia, and can stay submerged under water for up to 30 minutes! Different from other Australian lizards, Eastern Water Dragons catch their prey using their tongues.
Photo: Lisa Suykens
EASTERN WHIPBIRD
Learn more about the Eastern Whipbirds in Fred Caterson Reserve here.
Photo: Ákos Lumnitzer
EASTERN YELLOW ROBIN
Learn more about the Eastern Yellow Robins in Fred Caterson Reserve here.
Photo: Ákos Lumnitzer
ECHIDNA
This shy and well-camouflaged egg-laying mammal is always a welcome sight in Fred Caterson Reserve. Learn more about this remarkable species here.
Photo: John Porter
GLOSSY BLACK COCKATOO
GOLDEN WHISTLER
Learn more about the Golden Whistlers in Fred Caterson Reserve here.
Photo: Ákos Lumnitzer
LACE MONITOR
Also known as the 'goanna', the Lace Monitor is the second largest monitor in Australia. They forage for up to 3km and lay their eggs in termite nests in trees.
Photo: Lisa Suykens
LEWIN'S HONEYEATER
Known for their loud call which can be heard over great distances, the Lewin's Honeyeater is a more sedentary bird, staying in the same area year-round. They feed on mostly fruits, but also eat nectar and some insects.
Photo: Elizabeth Tuck
MICROBATS
Reliant on large trees for both their support of insects (food), and their hollows (roosting), Microbats use echolocation when flying at night. Destruction of hollow-bearing trees reduces their places to roost, including for their hibernation over the cooler months. The Sydney Region supports at least 19 species of Microbats.
Photo: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren via Wikimedia Commons
MUSK LORIKEET
A vibrant and captivating bird. They are social and highly active and are often found in flocks showing off their playful nature and acrobatic flight patterns. Learn more about the Musk Lorikeets in Fred Caterson Reserve here.
Photo: Ákos Lumnitzer
PERON'S TREE FROG
Mottled grey or brown frog with yellow thighs and what's described as a jackhammer-like call.
Photo: Friends of Fred Caterson Reserve
PLATYPUS
Platypus eDNA was detected in Cattai Creek at Fred Caterson Reserve in 2022, and a research program has now commenced to learn more about the individual platypuses living in The Hills. More here.
Photo: Sandy Gillis
POWERFUL OWL
Listed as threatened, the Powerful Owl is the largest owl species in Australia. A major threat to their survival is the loss of large, hollow-bearing trees, which they use to nest.
Photo: Elizabeth Tuck
RAINBOW LORIKEET
We can't have a list of native flora and fauna without the ubiquitous Rainbow Lorikeet! These sassy birds nest in hollow-bearing trees, which take at least one hundred years to develop the hollows big enough to breed in.
Photo: John Porter
RED-BROWED FINCH
Red-browed Finches are often observed in small flocks of around 10 birds, yet are also often seen foraging alongside other seed-eating birds. They require dense understorey vegetation to shelter from predators.
Photo: David Tuck
SACRED KINGFISHER
A medium sized kingfisher, the Sacred Kingfisher swoops from a low perch to catch its prey. During the winter, Sacred Kingfishers spend their time in the north of their range, returning to the southern regions to breed in spring.
Photo: David Tuck
SPOTTED PARDALOTE
These tiny birds are known for their melodious and high-pitched calls. Often found in eucalypt woodlands and forests, the Spotted Pardalote builds intricate nests in tree hollows or embarkments. Learn more about the Spotted Pardalotes in Fred Caterson Reserve here.
Photo: Ákos Lumnitzer
SUGAR GLIDER
Sugar Gliders form clans, nesting in tree hollows during the daylight hours. They are highly territorial, with males defending their territory from other Sugar Gliders not from their clan. Using the membrane which connects between the fifth finger and the ankle, they can glide up to 50 metres!
SULPHUR-CRESTED COCKATOO
An extremely intelligent bird, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo feeds in large groups, with a watcher looking out for, and alerting the others to dangers. They feed on seeds, nuts, berries and roots. They use tree hollows to nest in, and can live for 20-40 years in the wild.
Photo: Warren Wilson
SUPERB FAIRY WREN
One of Australia's favourite birds, the Superb Fairywren requires dense understorey to survive - which is in decline due to habitat destruction. The bright blue breeding plumage of the male is highly distinctive.
Photo: David Tuck
SWAMP WALLABY
The Swamp Wallaby has a varied diet which includes shrubs and native plants. Increases in vehicular movement within its habitat leads to increased risk of car strike. More info. on Swamp Wallabies here.
Photo: Ákos Lumnitzer
TAWNY FROGMOUTH
The Tawny Frogmouth AKA 'the most Instragrammable bird' is often mistaken for an owl, or even a nightjar. They are in fact a member of the order Podargiformes which includes Hummingbirds!
Photo: Ákos Lumnitzer
VARIEGATED FAIRYWREN
Also requiring the safe shelter of shrubs is the Variegated Fairywren, where they feed on small insects and some seed. They live in communal, territorial groups.
Photo: John Porter
WHITE-THROATED TREECREEPER
Learn more about White-throated Treecreepers in Fred Caterson Reserve here.
YELLOW-FACED HONEYEATER
Learn more about Yellow-faced Honeyeaters in Fred Caterson Reserve here.
Photo: Ákos Lumnitzer
