Wildlife

Swift Parrot Welfare and Extinction Risk in Tasmania

The swift parrot is critically endangered with fewer than 300 individuals remaining, threatened by habitat loss, predation by introduced sugar gliders and climate-driven changes to its eucalyptus food trees.

Key Facts

The swift parrot is critically endangered with an estimated population of fewer than 300 birds
It breeds only in Tasmania and migrates to mainland Australia in winter
Sugar glider predation of nesting females has dramatically increased as forest edge increases
Climate change is affecting the flowering phenology of blue gum, the primary nectar source

Welfare Considerations

Swift parrot welfare is acutely compromised by the multiple intersecting threats of habitat loss, sugar glider predation and climate change. Individual birds face predation risk at every nest attempt. The extreme rarity of the species means individual welfare is inseparable from population viability. Emergency interventions including predator management and nest box provision are being trialled.

What You Can Do

Support BirdLife Australia swift parrot conservation programme through donation
Advocate against logging of swift parrot breeding habitat in Tasmania
Support research into sugar glider management to reduce predation of nesting females
Raise awareness of the critical status of this species through sharing conservation information