Swift Parrot
Critically Endangered
Population
It is believed that there are less than 2000 individuals left in the wild
Size
The Swift Parrot grows to be around 25 centimetres long
Weight
The species weighs around 65 grams
Countries
Australia
Distribution
The Swift Parrot is distributed through the following states of Australia – Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and southern Queensland
Description
The Swift Parrot has long pointed wings and has long pointed feathers which are mostly green in colour, with the crown being more blue in colour. Around the beak, above and below is a red colour which turns to a crimson colour down the beak.
Quick Facts
Key behaviour of the Swift Parrot includes:
- The Swift Parrot is a very noisy and showy parrot.
- The Swift Parrt is very direct with its flight
- The species breeds in Tasmania from September to December
- Nesting sites are usually found in tree hollows 6 to 20 metres above the ground
- Each season will produce 3 to 5 eggs
- The Swift Parrot voice is very high pitched
The Swift Parrot’s diet consists of:
- Seeds and grains
- Green vegetation
- Fruit
- Nectar and pollen
- Insects, grubs and larvae
The species prime inhabits a wide range of areas which include forests, woodlands, agricultural lands and even urban areas.
The main threats to the existence of the Swift Parrot are:
- Habitat destruction of old forest trees with nesting hollows
- Sugar gliders account for 85% of kills as a predator of the species. Populations in Bruny and Maria Islands are protected due to no presence of sugar gliders
Conservation Efforts
Numerous smaller conservation programs exist for the Swift Parrot. These range from monitoring the population, protecting old growth forests and keep protected zones Sugar glider free.
