Lathamus discolor

A rare and colourful visitor to Pittwater

What does it look like?

This brightly colored parrot is about 25 centimetres long.  Its body and wings are bright grass green, with red patches around its bill and forehead.  On its throat, there is a vivid red patch edged with yellow. As it darts swiftly through the trees, you will also see bright red patches under its wings. Its head is topped with a blue-purple crown.

One of the Swift Parrot’s most distinctive features is a long, thin, dark reddish-brown tail.  This may help you distinguish it from lorikeets, with whom it often flies and feeds.

These lively, bright parrots can be seen hanging upside-down from trees as they feed in small groups. They “chatter” quietly amongst themselves, but if alarmed, they give a metallic “kik-kik-kik” call.

Photo: Geoffrey Dabb

 Where does it live?

You may think that the Swift Parrot only flies short distances – but in fact, it can make one of the longest migrations of any parrot in the world!

In spring and summer, the Swift Parrot breeds in eastern and northern Tasmania. When autumn comes, it migrates to south-eastern Australia. Here it overwinters from March to November, covering areas from Victoria to the eastern parts of South Australia.

In New South Wales, the Swift Parrot is found mostly on the coast and on the south-west slopes.  Records have shown that the Swift Parrot is even a regular visitor to Queensland, where it has been seen as far north as Toowoomba and Noosa. A remarkable journey!

In Pittwater, the Swift Parrot was once commonplace: 

• 1938 – In April and May, large flocks were present in Mona Vale, where they fed on nectar from the blossoms of the Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta) trees. A few were also seen at Bayview in June of the same year, again feeding in Swamp Mahogany.
• 1986 – Small flocks were reported at Ingleside in July and August.
• 1998 – Just outside the Pittwater area, 4-5 birds were seen on the southern side of Deep Creek. 

Sadly, there have been few records of Swift Parrots in Pittwater in recent times.  It is believed that over the past twenty years, they have sporadically visited the Warriewood/Irrawong wetlands, where they feed on flowering Swamp Mahoganies.

Other remnant stands of Swamp Mahogany that are known – or likely – to attract this colorful visitor include:

• Around Bayview Golf Course
• Toongari Reserve, Avalon

What does it eat?

The Swift Parrot is adept at drinking nectar. Its tongue is specially adapted with small nodules on its surface.  It buries its beak into the flowers and scoops up nectar with its tongue, which it curves into the shape of a small cup.

This strong preference for nectar means that the Swift Parrot depends on trees that flower profusely in autumn and winter. In the search for suitable nectar sources, it will wander widely, searching out flowering eucalypts that are found in forests and woodland. 

Remnant patches of eucalypts in built-up areas are also very important – especially on cleared agricultural land and urban areas. Even individual trees in streets, parks, schools, golf courses and private gardens can be an important food source, particularly where the trees are large, mature specimens.
Photo: Geoffrey Dabb

The Swift Parrot feeds on eucalypt nectar and pollen from the following trees:

• Swamp Mahogany
• Spotted Gum
• Red Bloodwood
• Mugga Ironbark
• White Box

In Pittwater, the Swamp Mahogany and Spotted Gum are two very important food trees for the Swift Parrot. 

The Swift Parrot will also feed on:

• Lerps, a protective covering secreted by some insects. (The Swift Parrot favours the infestations on Blackbutt and Grey Box trees.)
• Honeydew
• Banksia nectar
• Fruits
• Seeds and other plant material
• Insects and their larvae

The Swift Parrot will return each year to favorite foraging sites, if the food sources are available.

What is its life cycle?

After passing the autumn and winter on the mainland, the Swift Parrot flies south to Tasmania and its nearby islands.  Between September and January, birds form pairs.  In forests of blue gum eucalypts on Tasmania’s east coast, they mate and nest. 

Usually, nest sites are located near the coast in dry forests. Here on the upper slopes and ridge tops, the female bird makes her nest in an old, hollow eucalypt tree. Suitable trees may be hundreds of years old.  The female Swift Parrot lays 4-5 white eggs; after 20-25 days, the eggs hatch.

You may find more than one pair of birds nesting close to each other. Birds may return to old nesting sites, if there is sufficient food in the area.

Unfortunately, the logging of blue gum forests has had a major impact on the Swift Parrot.  These forests are often on unprotected land and are being steadily logged for commercial woodchipping and to clear land for agriculture. Once there were around 10,000 pairs of breeding Swift Parrots; now there are around 1,000 pairs. It is believed that this number is decreasing by around 1% each year.

Photo: Geoffrey Dabb

What are the threats?

The major threat to the Swift Parrot is land clearing. Not only has its breeding habitat in Tasmania been greatly reduced; but on mainland Australia, its overwintering habitat is also under severe threat.

Over 85% of its preferred winter habitat on the Australian mainland has been cleared for agriculture, housing and industry. 
Other dangers to the Swift Parrot include injuries or death from collisions with:

• Cars
• Windows
• Tennis court fences and other netting fences
• Other urban structures

These collisions are especially likely to take place during the winter migration, when these obstacles may be very close to the Swift Parrot’s preferred habitat.

What can we do to protect it?

There are many things we can do to encourage this beautiful bird to return to our area. These include:

• Conserving remnant bushland, especially stands of Swamp Mahoganies and Spotted Gums.
• Preserving suitable food trees in urban areas
• Enhancing habitat by planting food trees
• Providing wildlife corridors
• Improve the quality of remaining bushland habitat
• Study and learn the patterns of occurrence and habitat requirements of the Swift Parrot in Pittwater
• Educate the community about this rare and endangered bird

Updated: 06 Dec 2011