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Wildlife of the Whitsundays

Crocodiles
		Tourism Whitsundays International Tourism Manager Lachlan Rentell discovers the wild side to the Whitsundays on the Proerpine River Eco Tour Crocodile Safari. The Estuarine (Saltwater) crocodile (Crocodylus Porosus) is found in warm climates. In Australia, they are restricted to northern parts of the continent, from around Rockhampton on the east coast of Queensland to Broome on the west coast of Western Australia. Estuarine crocodiles are the largest of living crocodilians and quite probably the largest living reptiles on earth. They have broader snouts than "freshies" with an uneven "up and down" jaw line with irregular sized teeth. They vary in colour from grey, olive-brown to almost black, with ragged dark mottling. Males can grow to 7 metres (23 feet) but most are less than 5 metres. Females are usually less than 4 metres in length and may begin nesting at about 12 years of age. Maximum lifespan is unknown however it is estimated that they can live for at least 70 to 100 years.
Manta Rays
		Tourism Whitsundays International Tourism Manager Lachlan Rentell was lucky enough to spot a 2-3m manta ray whilst on an Eco Jet Safari Tour near Gloucester Island in the Whitsundays on 18 August 2011. Manta rays are commonly found grazing amongst the fringing reefs of the Whitsunday Islands from May - September. Manta rays are absolutely magnificent to watch as they swim gracefully through the water. They are extremely curious of scuba divers and will often swim around divers in many of the Whitsunday bays. They will also sometimes surface near boats and other water vessels when they are moored or relatively stationary. Manta ray are the only species of ray without a stinging barb, they are totally harmless and feed on plankton (filter feeders) in the water. They are usually black or brown on top and mostly white underneath; they can grow up to 7.6m across. But usually around the Whitsundays will not reach more than 5m across.

Birds

Australian birds are so varied and unique (and loud!). From the laughing kookaburra, to the bright, squawking cockatoo, the eerie call of the curlew and the rainbow lorrikeets that chatter away incessantly, the Whitsundays is a haven for Australian birds and you will see or hear them every day of your stay in Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands. Meet some of the locals here...


Curlew The curlew has a very eerie-sounding call that some liken to the sound of a child wailing. Despite this unusual cry, the curlew is a skitterish bird with big inquisitive eyes, most commonly seen running on it's long spindly legs along the grass or even across roads, seemingly preferring to run than fly.	Brolga The brolga is a long-legged native bird you are most likely to see in the Goorganga wetlands around Proserpine. It is colloquially known as the "native companion" and it's mating dance is particularly impressive. The brolga is the official bird emblem of the state of Queensland.	Rainbow Lorrikeet Rainbow lorrikeets are brightly coloured birds found in most parts of Australia. They have adapted well to urban environments and live happily side by side with humans. They are often spotted en masse at dusk making a real commotion in the trees.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo This loud and rambunctious cockatoo is the largest of Australia's native parrots, and often grows to half a metre in size. They are very social birds and can frequently be heard squabbling in the trees around Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Island resorts as the roost in large groups in the evenings and early mornings.	Kookaburra The famous "laugh" of the kookaburra can be heard in the Whitsundays as the birds feel quite at home in our leafy surrounds. Kookaburras live in small family groups and their "laugh" is actually a warning call to other birds to stay away. They may take small scraps of meat from humans, although feeding them is not encouraged.	White-bellied Sea Eagle Sea eagles tend to pair for life and are quite territorial. It's not uncommon for sailors to see the same sea eagles in the same tree or island area again and again. They are most likely to be seen gliding gracefully down to the water to pluck dinner from the ocean. Keep an eye on your fishing bait or your BBQ!