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Swift Parrot

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Habitat: Woodland, Forest, Grassland, Urban

Habitat

Swift Parrots are found in dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands, suburban parks and gardens, and flowering fruit trees. In Tasmania, they are often among Tasmanian Blue Gum, Eucalyptus globulus.

Behaviour

Swift Parrots breed only in Tasmania and then fly across Bass Strait to forage on the flowering eucalypts in open box–ironbark forests of the Australian mainland. While on the mainland, they are nomadic, spending weeks or months at some sites and only a few hours at others, determined by the supply of nectar. They roost communally, often in the same tree each night. They are almost always in trees, coming to the ground only to drink.

Feeding

Swift Parrots feed in the outer canopy of flowering eucalypts, eating mainly nectar, as well as some psyllids and lerps, seeds, and flowers. They are active and agile when feeding, often hanging upside down.

At sites where food is abundant, Swift Parrots can congregate in large flocks and associate with smaller lorikeets and honeyeaters.

In dry years, when the eucalypts’ flowering is poor, Swift Parrots are forced to travel far and wide to find enough food. Some birds fly as far as coastal south-east Queensland, making the world’s longest known parrot migration.

Breeding

Swift Parrots breed only in eastern Tasmania – around October to December – to coincide with the flowering of the Tasmanian Blue Gum. They nest in tree hollows or the trunk, branch or spout of a living or dead gum. Many pairs breed close together and may return to the same nest site each year.

Breeding season is from September to April.