THREATENED AND IMPORTANT SPECIES

PRIORITY BS7

 Swift Parrots and other hollow-nesting birds

The Swift Parrot is listed as Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act and endangered under the TSP Act. It is also one of the priority species under the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Strategy. It is a migratory species that over-winters in south-eastern mainland Australia, and flies to Tasmania to breed in spring and summer, foraging on nectar from a limited range of eucalypt species, predominantly Tasmanian Blue Gums and Black Gums. During the breeding season the Swift Parrot breeds in tree hollows of mature eucalypts near foraging resources. As not all suitable food species flower every year, the Swift Parrot’s breeding areas vary annually and although predominately found in Tasmania’s east coast, areas in the Cradle Coast Region, such as Kelcey Tier and the Dial Range, are known nesting sites. Tree hollows are also a significant ecological feature for other birds such as the Masked Owl, Green Rosella and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo.

The main threats to the Swift Parrots are the loss of foraging and nesting habitat, and predation by Sugar Gliders. Other threats include competition from the introduced Rainbow Lorikeet (and other hollow-nesting species), and collision mortality (with structures such as windows and chain-link fences).

outcome

By 2030, in potential nesting forests, regular Swift Parrot surveys are being conducted, an increased number of nesting sites are available, and Sugar Glider populations are being managed.

threats

Local threats that can be addressed by NRM actions:

  • Inappropriate land management practices including vegetation clearing and removal of old, hollow-bearing trees
  • Fragmentation and loss of habitat due to development pressures
  • Feral animals and disease
  • Increasing fire risk due to climate change

Actions

BS7.a

Support citizen science assessment of Swift Parrot habitat, tree hollows and populations.

Support habitat protection and improvement on council reserves and private land including bushfire management, remnant woodland protection and provision of nest boxes.

Establish a Sugar Glider threat mitigation program and assess other threats such as Rainbow Lorikeets

implementation

Investment Opportunity

  • Australian Government
  • Tasmanian Government
  • Regional or Local
  • Private or philanthropic

  • Information gathering activities including assessment and mapping of potential nesting and foraging forest communities.
  • Policy and planning activities such as prioritisation of locations for investment and engagement planning.
  • On-ground work including targeted engagement and establishment of nest boxes and conservation agreements for habitat restoration at known and potential nesting and forage sites.
  • Behaviour-change and capacity-building activities – education, awareness and skill-building
    focused on natural values.

Local Councils; Government agencies including PWS and FPA; Land managers including Sustainable Timbers Tasmania; volunteers; researchers.

Extension, capacity building and land management agreement opportunities for landholders and land managers; volunteer and citizen science monitoring opportunities.