Swift Parrots

Critically endangered migrants with fewer than 1,000 left in the wild

Meet the Swift Parrot

The Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) is a small, bright green parrot with distinctive red markings on its face and throat. They're Australia's fastest flying parrot — and one of its most threatened.

These vibrant parrots undertake a remarkable annual migration, flying from their breeding grounds here in Tasmania across the Bass Strait to the Australian mainland during winter months, where they feed on flowering eucalyptus forests in Victoria, New South Wales, and southern Queensland.

With fewer than 1,000 of them estimated to remain in the wild, the Swift Parrot is listed as critically endangered.

Why They're Endangered

Habitat loss and predation are pushing them toward extinction.

In the past, Swift Parrots bred across much of Tasmania's eastern forests, particularly on the southeast and northeast coasts.

Today, the species primarily breeds in fragmented patches of forest in the southeast of Tasmania, heavily relying on blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) and black gum (Eucalyptus ovata) trees for both nesting and foraging.

Major threats include:

Loss of breeding habitat through logging and land clearing
Introduced sugar gliders, which prey on nesting females and chicks
Loss of winter feeding habitat on the mainland
Competition for nesting hollows

The combination of these threats has driven Swift Parrot numbers to critically low levels.

Conservation at Lobster Ponds Haven

We've had Swift Parrots here since 2024 providing a safe breeding environment as part of broader conservation efforts.

But this aviary was initially built for Orange-bellied Parrots, not swift parrots. The government even funded it — $30,000 to construct what you see here.

Then... bureaucracy. Paperwork delays. Years passed.

Meanwhile, Swift Parrots became critically endangered. Kevin saw an opportunity on Facebook (yes, really), grabbed seven of them, and they've been here since 2024.

Parks and Wildlife Tasmania are working on a recovery plan for the species, but funding and resources remain limited. That's where facilities like ours come in. We provide additional breeding sites and help maintain genetic diversity in captivity.

What You Can See

Look for:

Their distinctive red facial markings and throat patch
Bright green plumage with blue on the wings and tail
Fast, direct flight patterns within the aviary
Feeding on blue gum blossoms

Swift Parrots are more active and vocal than orange-bellied parrots. You'll often hear their distinctive chattering calls before you spot them (they sound similar to a lorikeet).