Local animals

Local animals
Photo of a bird in a tree
Canterbury Bankstown is home to a wide range of animal species and birds, which is amazing for such an urban area. We have it all! Local animals threatened species canterbury bankstown Canterbury Bankstown is home to a wide range of animal species and birds, which is amazing for such an urban area. We have it all!  
Photo of a bird in a tree


The City of Canterbury Bankstown is home to a wide range of animal (otherwise known as fauna) species. The number of different bird species, in particular is amazing considering the largely urban and developed nature of the area. This diversity is largely due to a variety of available habitats such as bushland, creeks and other open areas. 

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service maintain a NSW Wildlife Atlas. This atlas contains recorded sightings of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and endangered invertebrates in New South Wales. From the atlas you can obtain a list of all the animal sightings in the area.  

​Threats to native animals

A number of factors threaten the survival of our native birds and animals, including: 
  • Loss of suitable habitat including removal of dead wood and trees with hollows;
  • Pollution of the natural environment;
  • Invasion of bushland by introduced plant species (weeds);
  • Attack by, or competition with, feral animals;
  • Attack by domestic pets, allowed to roam free (please keep your cats in at night and dogs on a lead when in bushland areas); and ​
  • Loss of appropriate food sources - occurring both through loss of natural bushland and planting of species in gardens that are not native to the area. 

​Protecting our native animals

How to be a 'backyard buddy' 

Many people find nothing more rewarding than having native animals visit or make their home in their backyard. All you have to do to be a backyard buddy is make sure your garden is safe and attractive to native animals. Visit the Backyard Bud​dies website for some easy tips and hints on how to attract animals like Blue-tongue lizards, frogs, tawny frogmouths and fairy wrens to your backyard. 

​Sick, injured or orphaned native animals 

If you find an injured, sick or orphaned native animal, you are not allowed to keep it as a pet. These animals need a trained expert and specialised care if they are to be returned to the wild. WIRES - The NSW Wildlife Information and Rescue Service is the largest wildlife rescue service in Australia. If you find an injured or orphaned native animal, handle it as little as possible, follow WIRES animal first aid​ and call WIRES Sydney Rescue Line on (02) 8977 3333. WIRES will organise rescue, veterinary help, foster care and finally release the animal back into the wild.

​Do not feed our wildlife

Our native animals are beautiful wild creatures. They rely on the environment for all their food, water and shelter. Although you may not realise it, there is natural habitat in Canterbury Bankstown for wildlife to forage in, providing lots of food. Our native animals do not need our help finding food. There are many reasons why we shouldn't feed wildlife. Not only is it bad for their health, but it can also have an impact on our own health and safety.

Contact

For more information, contact Council's Natural Resource Management team on 9707 9000. 
The City of Canterbury Bankstown acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, water and skies of Canterbury-Bankstown, the Darug (Darag, Dharug, Daruk, Dharuk) People. We recognise and respect Darug cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge the First Peoples’ continuing importance to our CBCity community.