Swift Parrots are one of Australia’s rare species of parrot and are listed as critically endangered under Australian Government legislation. It is estimated that less than 2,000 birds live in the wild. Without conservation efforts, this iconic species could be extinct in as little as 16 years.
Swift Parrots are only found in south-eastern Australia. They breed in Tasmania and begin migration to the mainland around April each year in search of winter foraging habitat and mature feed trees.
This means that Swift Parrots are moving into our region now! Sightings of Swift Parrots have been recorded in previous years within the mid and eastern Riverina region, where they return to feed in the same foraging areas each year.
Find out more about Swift Parrots in this brochure, with tips on identification, habitat and ecology.
What can you do to help?
- Protect and enhance critical Swift Parrot habitat, to help provide reliable and accessible food sources. Key feed tree species include Mugga Iron Bark, White Box, Grey Box and Yellow Box
- Report a sighting. BirdLife Australia are super keen to hear of ANY sightings of these birds, as all information on their location and numbers helps to contribute to knowledge which can ultimately help us to protect them. If you see a Swift Parrot, please report the details to: woodlandbirds@birdlife.org.au as soon as possible. There are also annual Swift Parrot surveys, held in May and August each year, although the May 2020 surveys had to be cancelled due to Covid. More information on surveys and reporting sightings is available here.
- Join BirdLife Australia’s online campaign to protect the future of Swift Parrots, by sending a copy of their email to your local MP. The campaign aims to urge our federal politicians to strengthen Australia’s nature laws. Full details available here.