Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii)
The medium-sized, slender green Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) has captured the hearts of the Canberra population, which has become involved in citizen science projects about the parrot.
The Superb Parrot was declared a vulnerable species in the ACT in 1997 and also has special protection status. It is listed as vulnerable nationally and in NSW and Victoria.
Superb Parrots are an open woodland species relying on riverine forests in the Riverina and Box-Gum woodlands in the tablelands and slopes. They are endemic to inland south-eastern Australia, occurring throughout the inland slopes and plains of New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and northern Victoria. The species is declining across a substantial part of its range, but more are being seen in the ACT region as climate change shifts their range to the south-east.
They are mainly present in the ACT region during their breeding season (September to January), with most sightings in the northern districts of Belconnen and Gungahlin, increasingly in Tuggeranong too over autumn and winter.
They are highly mobile, with recent research revealing a strong link between seasonal movements and plant productivity and, potentially, changes in food supply and drought impacts.
Conservation threats
Due to the migratory habits of Superb Parrots, threats beyond the Territory are likely to be impacting on birds that breed in the ACT. Within the ACT, three key threats to maintaining a viable, stable and breeding population of Superb Parrots are habitat loss, climate change and nest competition.
Superb Parrots have lost significant areas of breeding and foraging habitat due to widespread destruction and degradation of box-dominated woodlands throughout its range in south-eastern Australia.
A recent study suggests Superb Parrots are highly sensitive to climate change. It predicts that the core range of the Superb Parrot will shift south-eastward concentrating the population over the ACT and areas to the immediate north.
Conservation objectives
- Conserve the ACT population of Superb Parrots by protecting landscapes that support confirmed breeding colonies.
- Enhance long-term viability of Superb Parrot populations through management of open woodland to increase breeding and foraging habitat area.
- Enhance long-term viability of Superb Parrot populations through management of urban landscapes to aid connectivity and promote foraging habitat.
- Improve understanding of Superb Parrot ecology, including habitat selection, resource requirements and emerging threats.
- Promote greater awareness of, and strengthen stakeholder and community engagement in, the conservation of Superb Parrots.
Conservation actions
Due to the high mobility of Superb Parrots and the uncertainty associated with future habitat use, conservation actions will focus on protecting areas that support breeding birds and emerging wintering grounds.
Key actions include:
- protect critical breeding habitat, including specific trees that support the parrots
- monitor their abundance
- manage woodland habitat to ensure the parrots can breed and forage
- plant trees to mitigate long-term habitat tree loss in breeding locations
- maintain understory structure and condition to enable the parrots to forage
- manage urban landscapes to help woodland connectivity
- improve understanding of Superb Parrot ecology through research
- promote greater awareness of, and strengthen stakeholder and community engagement in the conservation of Superb Parrots, particularly in Throsby.
More information
Contact
Email environment@act.gov.au or phone Access Canberra on 13 22 81.