Saving swift parrots and threatened woodland species

Riverina Local Land Services offered funding to support landholders within the project area to protect, restore and establish Swift Parrot habitat.

Project background

Swift parrots (Lathamus discolor), are one of Australia’s rare species of parrot and are listed as critically endangered under Australian Government legislation.

It is estimated that less than 2,000 birds live in the wild. This project aims to improve the long-term viability of nationally endangered Swift Parrot through the planting of habitat and protection of mature feed trees.

Swift parrots are only found in south-eastern Australia. They breed in Tasmania and begin migration to the mainland around April each year in search of winter foraging habitat and mature feed trees.

Current records show scattered but significant sightings of Swift Parrots around Wagga Wagga, Temora, Tarcutta and Gundagai.

Tree health and habitat quality in these areas is currently in decline as a result of climatic stresses, clearing for agriculture and peri-urban development

Key feed tree species are:

• Mugga Iron Bark
• White Box Gum
• Grey Box Gum
• Yellow Box Gum. 

Project outcomes

To date, the Swift Parrot Project has funded: 

• The protection of 522 hectares of existing habitat
• The establishment of 124 hectares of new Swift Parrot habitat
• 42.6 km of new fencing.

Funding and partnerships

Key partners:

• NSW Office of Environment & Heritage
• Australian National University
• Birdlife Australia
• Bush Heritage Australia
• Greening Australia
• Landcare NSW.

This project has been funded through the NSW Environmental Trust’s Saving our Species (SoS) Partnership Grant.