Native flora and fauna

There are many different ecosystems in Murray, each home to significant plants, mammals, birds, insects and reptiles. A number of them are rare or threatened, with some protected under state and federal legislation.

We are committed to retaining them in line with our Local Biodiversity Strategy.

Significant plants and animals in Murray

The below table lists significant plants and animals in Murray, with the brackets after showing its conservation status. The conservation codes link explains these.

Flora Fauna Birds
  • Tall Donkey Orchid - Diuris drummondii (VU)
  • Synaphea stenoloba (CR)
  • Synaphea sp. Pinjarra (CR)
  • Synaphea sp. Pinjarra Plain (EN)
  • Synaphea sp. Fairbridge Farm (CR)
  • Glossy-leaved Hammer Orchid - Drakaea elastica (CR)
  • Grand Spider Orchid - Caladenia huegelii (CR)
  • Blenospora doliiformis (P3),
  • Hemigeina microphylla (P3)
  • Purdie’s Donkey Orchid – Diuris purdiei (EN)
  • Jumping Jacks - Stylidium longitubum (P3)
  • Graceful Sun Moth - Synemon gratiosa (P4)
  • Western Ringtail Possum - Pseudocheirus occidentalis (CR)
  • Chuditch - Dasyurus geoffroii (VU)
  • Red-tailed Phascogale - Phascogale calura (CD)
  • Mainland Quokka - Setonix brachyurus (VU)
  • Brushtail Phascogale - Phascogale tapoatafa wambenger (CD)
  • Quenda - Isoodon fusciventer (P4)
  • Rakali - Hydromys chrysogaster (P4)
  • Gould’s Sand Monitor – Varanus gouldii (T)
  • Western Brush Wallaby – Macropus Irma (P4)
  • Wood Sandpiper - Tringa glareola (MI)
  • Common Greenshank - Tringa nebularia (MI)
  • Osprey - Pandion haliaetus (MI)
  • Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica (MI)
  • Red-necked Stint - Calidris ruficollis (MI)
  • Eastern Curlew - Numenius madagascariensis (CR)
  • Australasian Little Bittern - Ixobrychus dubius (P4)
  • Baudin’s Black Cockatoo - Calyptorhynchus baudinii (EN)
  • Forest Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo - Calyptorhynchus banksii naso (VU)
  • Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo -Calyptorhynchus latirostris (EN)

Threatened ecological communities

There are a number of threatened ecological communities (TEC) in Murray that are protected under state and federal legislation. They are:

  • Marri – Grasstree: Woodlands and shrublands dominated by Corymbia calophylla(Marri) and Xanthorrhoea preissii (Balga).
  • Claypans of the Swan Coastal Plain: Occur where clay forms and impermeable layer close to the surface. They are the most diverse of the Swan Coastal Plain wetlands and contain many endemic local species.
  • Banksia Woodlands: Woodland community with species rich dense shrubland dominated by Banksia attenuata, Banksia menziessi or Banksia illicifolia.
  • Marri – Kingia: Woodland community with common native taxa including: Corymbia calophylla(Marri), Kingia australis (Kingia), Banksia nivea (Honeypot Dryandra), Philotheca spicata (Pepper and Salt), and Xanthorrhoea preissii (Balga).
  • Tuart: Woodland or forest community comprised of Eucalyptus gomphocephala(Tuart) trees as the primary defining feature. Often found with Agonis flexuosa (Peppermint), Banksia grandis (Bull Banksia), Banksia attenuata (Candlestick Banksia) or Eucalyptus marginata (Jarrah).
  • Temperate and Subtropical Coastal Saltmarsh: Community consists of saltmarsh and associated organisms in areas under regular or intermittent tidal influence. Coastal Plain wetlands and contain many endemic local species.

Threatened animals 

There are a number of threatened animals in Murray, this includes: 

Rakali

    Very few Rakali have been spotted over recent years, so sightings within Murray are important to record and are a good indicator of waterway health. If you see a Rakali please contact the Peel Harvey Catchment Council.

    More information

    Black Cockatoos

    Murray is home to three species of Black Cockatoos – the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso), Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) and the Baudin’s Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii), which are listed as vulnerable and endangered under state and federal legislation.

    In the last 50 years, the population of Carnaby Cockatoos has declined by approximately 50 per cent in the Perth and Peel regions. All three Cockatoo species have seen a reduction of their range by approximately one third.

    How you can help:

    • Leave fresh water in your yard
    • Consider planting Cockatoo fodder on your property
    • Drive slowly and carefully 
    • Avoid clearing large native trees with hollows.

    Black Cockatoo Friendly Gardens