The Wildlife of Bruny Island

White Wallabies

The White Wallabies found on Bruny Island are a population of Bennetts Wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus), one of the most commonly seen mammals in Tasmania.

The population on Bruny exhibits a rare and distinct colouration, for which the animals are named.

Forty Spotted Pardalote

The Forty-Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus quadragintus) is one of Australia’s smallest bird species. They are currently endangered, and are only found in seven locations along Tasmania’s southeast coast.

These birds require the White Gum Trees (Eucalyptus viminalis) found on Bruny as a habitat and feeding location.

Fairy Penguins

Fairy Penguins (Eudyptula minor), or Little Penguins, are the smallest species of penguin in the world.

Tasmanian population estimates range from 110,000 to 190,000, though less than 5% of these individuals are found on mainland Tasmania.

Sightings are common on Bruny Island from September – February.

Swift Parrot

The Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolour) are a migratory species, found as far north in Australia as southeast Queensland, and as far south as Bruny Island.

Swift Parrots breed in Tasmania from September to December, before migrating to mainland Australia for the rest of the year.

Short Tail Shearwaters – Mutton Birds

Short-Tail Shearwaters (Ardenna tenuirostris), Mutton Birds, are migratory birds with strong swimming ability.

Roughly eighteen million individuals come to Tasmania from September to April each year to breed in around 170 colonies across the state, including Bruny Island.