Birds

• 229bird species recorded
• 55%of Victoria’s bird diversity
• 65threatened bird species

Gippsland’s range of habitats is reflected in the diversity of birdlife, with 229 species recorded, representing around 55% of Victoria’s diversity. The most frequently sighted birds include the Australian magpie, superb fairy-wren, grey fantail and the grey shrike-thrush. South Gippsland is also home to 65 threatened bird species, including the blue-winged parrot, migratory shorebirds, hooded plover, and powerful and barking owls. There are 15 introduced bird species recorded for the region.

Candidate species for project focus

The plan suggests these threatened species as candidates for continued or new project focus:

• Nationally threatened (EPBC-listed): gang-gang cockatoo, blue-winged parrot, migratory shorebirds
• State threatened (FFG-listed): powerful owl, hooded plover

Ideas in the plan for projects that build on past efforts include:

Forest Wildlife – focus on a group of forest specialists including threatened species like the southern greater glider (nationally vulnerable), gang-gang cockatoo (nationally vulnerable), lace monitor (state vulnerable), powerful and barking owls, and the genetically significant Strzelecki koala to protect habitat that will collectively benefit these important species.

Source: South Gippsland Biodiversity Protection Plan (October 2024), section 3.3 Fauna and section 3.4 Threatened species; species figures from Victorian Biodiversity Atlas records cited in the plan.