Australia Reference Libraries
The Australian Tree Fern (Cyathea cooperi), also known as the lacy tree fern, scaly tree fern, or Cooper's tree fern, is one of the most commonly grown tree ferns used in gardens and commercial landscaping. It is hardy and easy to grow. Heavy frosts may kill the fronds, but plants recover quickly. They prefer protected, shady moist conditions but can be grown in sunny areas. It does not do well...
The Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium microphyllum), is a climbing fern originating in tropical Africa, South East Asia, Melanesia and Australia. It is an invasive weed in the US States of Florida and Alabama where it invades open forest and wetland areas. It is also commonly known as the Small Leaf Climbing Fern, climbing Maidenhair, Snake Fern and Gribbly Wib after the Old English.
The Red-necked Pademelon (Thylogale thetis), is a forest-dwelling marsupial living in the eastern coastal region of Australia. Mainly nocturnal, the Red-necked Pademelon is very shy and generally inhabits temperate forests near grassland, hiding in the forests by day and emerging into the grasslands to graze in the dusk. The Red-necked Pademelon is brown-gray with a cream underbelly and a...
The Woylie (Bettongia penicillata), also known as the Brush-tailed Bettong, is a member of the Potoridae family. Its habitat includes temperate forests and scrubs as well as arid shrublands and grasslands. It formerly ranged over all of southwest Western Australia, most of South Australia, the northwest corner of Victoria and across the central portion of New South Wales. It was abundant in the...
The Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida), is a pigeon native to Australia and New Guinea. They can be found all over Australia except Tasmania, southern Victoria and south western Australia (from the Pilbara, Western Australia to the Nullarbor, South Australia). Unfortunately, the doves' range is reducing due to competition with the introduced Spotted Turtle Dove. In New Guinea they are mainly...
The Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera), is a species of pigeon in the bird family Columbidae. It is native to Australia and is one of the most common pigeons in the country. It is capable of living in almost any habitat, with the possible exception of very barren areas and dense rainforests. Males of the species have pale-yellow to yellow-white foreheads, and pink breasts. Both males and...
The Brush Bronze wing (Phaps elegans), is a species of bird in the Columbidae family. It is endemic to Australia. Its habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. Photo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bronze_wing444.jpg
The Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus), also known as the Brown Bittern, is found in south-western and south-eastern Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Ouvea. Numbers have declined this past century in Australia and New Zealand. It is a large bittern, streaked and patterned brown, buff and black, with a pale throat. It is a cryptic and partly nocturnal species...
The Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis), is a bird of Old World origins. It breeds in tropical Asia from India and Sri Lanka east to China, Indonesia and Australia. It is mainly resident, but some northern birds may migrate short distances. The Black Bittern is a fairly large species at nearly 23 inches in length, with a longish neck and long yellow bill. The adult is uniformly black...
The Cairns Birdwing (Ornithoptera euphorion), is Australia's largest native butterfly species. Cairns Birdwings are found southwards from Mount Webb and Cooktown to Mackay in Queensland. Favored habitat is primary rainforest, although the species will breed readily in a home garden if the correct larval host plants are grown. Males have a predominately black upper wing with emerald green...
