The swift parrot (Lathamus discolor) is one of the world's most critically endangered parrots, with a total population of fewer than 300 individuals. It breeds exclusively in Tasmania and migrates to mainland Australia, facing threats across its entire range.
Swift parrots face welfare challenges across their life cycle. Breeding females are trapped and killed by sugar gliders in nest hollows, a stressful and often fatal encounter. Logging of hollow-bearing trees forces pairs to search large areas for nest sites, increasing energy expenditure and exposure to predators. During migration, window strikes cause traumatic injury and death. In captivity for rehabilitation, swift parrots require specific diet formulations rich in flowering nectar plants and careful handling to minimise stress responses.