Totally wild! Living with Australian wildlife in backyards and beyond

These distinctive Aussie birds get a bad rap, but much like the humble ibis, brush turkeys have simply become well-adapted to life around people. They are most at home in rainforest areas and neighbouring eucalyptus forests like those you would find at Nightcap or Lane Cove national parks, but can be drawn to anywhere with enough leaf litter to build their nest mounds. Built by the male brush turkey, this clever incubation method ensures their eggs stay warm as the vegetation decomposes.

When these resourceful avians enter suburbia, they can become difficult neighbours – it’s not unheard of for people to come home from holiday to a large nest mound in their yard. And, as a protected native species, once they’ve settled in they can also be hard to evict. To avoid one moving in at all, keep your home clear of loose leaf litter and dismantle any sign of a nest as soon as it forms. Placing decoys in your garden that look like predators, such as cats or owls, can also be effective at scaring them off.

You can report brush turkey sightings on the Brush Turkeys: Birds in Suburbia app to contribute to a citizen science project that’s helping researchers better track the migration and social habits of this adaptable species.

Australia’s largest possum species, the common brush-tailed possum is one of the most abundant and frequently encountered marsupials. These cute nocturnal critters are a common sight while night-spotting in our national parks, but you’re just as likely to see them tightrope-walking across a powerline outside your house. You might also find them nesting in your warm roof cavity, and if they do, you’ll likely hear them before you see them – loud thudding coming from the ceiling or shrieking in the middle of the night is a sure sign you’ve attracted some marsupial squatters. To prevent this, make sure all entry points to your roof are sealed. If you do end up with a new tenant or two, the best way to rehome them is by setting up a possum house in your backyard or hiring a licensed catch and release possum operator. It is illegal to remove a possum without a license, as they are highly territorial and relocating them far from home can threaten their survival.

Found in NSW national parks across the state, the screech of a sulphur-crested cockatoo or the sight of a flock of yellow-tailed black cockatoos soaring through the treetops is a favourite among birdwatchers. Some of Australia’s largest native parrots, cockatoos are known not only for their vocal, raucous calls, but their high level of intelligence – something that has helped them expertly adapt to urban life. The Audley Dance Hall Cafe at Sydney’s Royal National Park, for instance, is known to be a popular spot for some very cheeky sulphur-crested cockatoos in search of an easy meal. Around homes, cockatoos are also known to chew and pull apart garden trees, decking wood, soft timbers around window frames and outdoor furniture. In some parts of Sydney they’ve even learned to open garbage bins in their search for food, with a tendency to leave a mess as they go.

To deter them from visiting, dispose of all rubbish properly, make sure your bins are properly closed, and don’t feed or encourage them. If you find they’re showing up anyway and damaging your garden or property, try hanging some shiny moving objects – think old CDs, reflective wind spinners – around the areas they visit. Painting outdoor timber areas white can also act as a deterrent. Just remember, they are a protected species under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, and harming them is illegal.

Snakes have greatly contributed to Australia’s ‘deadly’ reputation, but did you know that only 12 of the roughly 172 species of land and sea snakes in this country are likely to inflict a deadly bite? Still, they are not often welcome in our homes.

In the wild, snakes are more commonly encountered in the warmer months when they are more active, but as the weather cools, these cold-blooded reptiles will start to look for a warm, safe place to hide through winter. You may have guessed already that residential spaces offer some enticing spots. Think roof cavities, rock crevices in backyards and cozy nooks among shed clutter.

If you find a snake has taken up residence in your space, don’t panic. Maintain a safe distance and give it a chance to move away. If it’s in your house, try to isolate the snake in the room you found it in by closing surrounding doors. Do not attempt to harm it or remove it yourself and risk being bitten. Instead, contact your local wildlife rehabilitation group or a licensed reptile handler, and make sure people and pets are kept away until the situation is resolved.

Is there an Aussie animal more iconic than our hopping kangaroos? There are plenty of places you may encounter these large marsupials in New South Wales – in bushland, lazing around golf courses, in and around campsites. Take a hike through Murramurrang National Park, near Shoalhaven, and you may even see some on the beach.

If you live in a more rural setting, they might also be regular visitors in your backyard. It can be an exciting sight, but if you do come across a ‘roo, either out and about or at home, please keep your distance and do not approach them. While these large marsupials may look soft and cuddly, they are incredibly strong and have sharp claws – making them dangerous if provoked or startled. Large males tend to be more aggressive during mating season, and females can get very defensive protecting their joeys. Kangaroos can also become aggressive if they’ve been fed by humans (just another great reason to keep wildlife wild).

If you do feel threatened by a kangaroo, move clear and keep your head and arms low. If you need to, carefully retreat in a crouched or crawling position to a safe location or distance away.

One of Australia’s biggest lizards, the lace monitor is a fast-moving carnivore that is most at home in trees along the east coast. In New South Wales, these expert tree-climbers are most often seen in forests and coastal tablelands. They are also scavengers, and can sometimes be found foraging in and around national park campgrounds, rest areas and, rarely, rural or regional homes.

While not generally aggressive if you admire them from a safe distance, they have been known to bite when approached or threatened. And much like their relatives, the infamously fierce komodo dragon, they have a powerful bite which can lead to serious injuries, severe swelling and infections.

Best to steer clear of these reptiles, keep children and pets at a safe distance and let them be on their way. They’re found in national parks across the state including Lane Cove, Booti Booti and Nightcap – check out this list to find out if you’re heading into Lace Monitor territory.