Growing Swift Parrot Habitat

Greenfleet restores legally protected habitat for native Australian wildlife, and one species that benefits from our work is the Swift Parrot.  

The Swift Parrot is a critically endangered migratory bird, found only on the east coast of Australia. It migrates from Tasmania through Victoria and NSW up to Queensland annually in the winter months.  

Greenfleet is planting trees to create critical habitat for the Swift Parrot’s migration along the east coast of Australia. 

Why Swift Parrots Are Critically Endangered  

Habitat loss is one of the key reasons for the Swift Parrot’s critically endangered status. This has occurred due to logging, industrial development and agriculture, severely impacting both breeding and wintering grounds. 

Sadly, these unique birds also face natural threats. Sugar gliders in Tasmania pose a significant danger, as the prey on Swift Parrot eggs and adult females tending the nests.   

There is also competition for resources with other birds and introduced species. This includes Rainbow Lorikeets and bees which forage on the same foods. 

Swift Parrot Migration And Breeding   

Swift Parrots breed in summer in Tasmania, primarily along the southeastern coast, and migrate in small flocks of around 30 individuals, flying up to woodlands across southeastern mainland Australia in winter. During extreme droughts, some Victorian populations will travel up to 1,000 km to coastal NSW refuges.  The Swift Parrots nest in old-growth forests to make use of the tree hollows that have formed in established trees. Greenfleet legally protects its forests for up to 100 years, ensuring these native trees have time to grow and provide homes for Swift Parrots and other native species for generations. 

Swift Parrots prefer to breed in Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus), Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua), White Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), and Gum-topped Stringybark (Eucalyptus delegatensis). The loss of these trees means the y are unable to find secure breeding places and sufficient food to survive. The have been observed to not return to a site if the food was scarce the year before.  

Greenfleet is planting these species in regions where these birds are found to encourage Swift Parrots to use these corridors as they migrate up and down the coast. 

Restoring Swift Parrot Food Trees And Habitat 

Swift Parrots feed on nectar and lerp, a sugary substance produced by tiny sap eating insects. The trees that supply this diet includes Yellow gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon), Grey box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) and Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora). Greenfleet has planted these and other crucial species at a number of our forests to provide suitable feeding habitat for Swift parrots and other native animals. 

There are several Greenfleet forests where we have specifically planted Swift Parrot habitat for them to travel through and feed in: 

How Swift Parrots Help Other Species 

While creating habitat for these critically endangered birds, these forests are also providing food and breeding grounds for other species like the Spotted Pardalote and Regent Honeyeater, Wedge-tailed Eagles, Masked Owls and Red-tailed Black Cockatoos. 

Swift Parrots are very effective pollinators, helping propagate it’s favoured home, the Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus), and other native tree species. This is due to their short, thick bill and special brush tongue, which allows them to carry much more pollen than other birds. 

The presence of Swift Parrots is an indicator of ecosystem health, as they prefer old growth forests and areas with greater food availability, as do many other native species. 

The legal protection of Greenfleet's forests is key in creating the old-growth forests of tomorrow. Each Greenfleet forest is protected for up to 100 years to ensure they can grow beyond this century.