Scientific name:Polytelis swainsonii Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable National conservation status:Vulnerable
Description
The Superb Parrot is a distinctive large, bright grass-green parrot with a long, narrow tail and sharply back-angled wings in flight. Males have yellow foreheads and throats and a red crescent that separates the throat from the green breast and belly. Females are slightly duller green and have a dull, light blue wash in place of the males' red and yellow markings.
Location and habitat
Distribution The Superb Parrot is found throughout eastern inland NSW. On the South-western Slopes their core breeding area is roughly bounded by Cowra and Yass in the east, and Grenfell, Cootamundra and Coolac in the west. Birds breeding in this region are mainly absent during winter, when they migrate north to the region of the upper Namoi and Gwydir Rivers. The other main breeding sites are in the Riverina along the corridors of the Murray, Edward and Murrumbidgee Rivers where birds are present all year round. It is estimated that there are less than 5000 breeding pairs left in the wild.
Habitat and ecology
Inhabit Box-Gum, Box-Cypress-pine and Boree Woodlands and River Red Gum Forest.
In the Riverina the birds nest in the hollows of large trees (dead or alive) mainly in tall riparian River Red Gum Forest or Woodland. On the South West Slopes nest trees can be in open Box-Gum Woodland or isolated paddock trees. Species known to be used are Blakely’s Red Gum, Yellow Box, Apple Box and Red Box.
Nest in small colonies, often with more than one nest in a single tree.
Breed between September and January.
May forage up to 10 km from nesting sites, primarily in grassy box woodland.
Feed in trees and understorey shrubs and on the ground and their diet consists mainly of grass seeds and herbaceous plants. Also eaten are fruits, berries, nectar, buds, flowers, insects and grain.
Regional information This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.
Poor regeneration of nesting trees and food resources.
Feeding on grain spills and subsequently being struck by vehicles.
Loss of hollows to feral bees and native and exotic hollow-nesting birds.
Illegal trapping which can also result in the destruction of hollows.
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 22 priority actions to help recover the Superb Parrot in New South Wales.
What needs to be done to recover this species?
Retain and protect hollow-bearing trees.
Retain and protect woodland remnants.
Cover grain trucks and check all openings are properly sealed.
Report grain spills to local authorities so they can be removed.
Report suspected illegal bird trapping, egg collection or sales to NPWS.
Remove feral bee colonies from hollows in Superb Parrot habitat, or report them to NPWS officers.
References
Garnett, S. and Crowley, G. M. (2000) The Action Plan for Australian Birds. Published by Environment Australia. Canberra, ACT.
Higgins, P.J. (eds.) (1999) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 4: Parrots to Dollarbird. Oxford University Press.
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. (2003) The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia 7th Edition. Menkhorst, P. (ed). HarperCollins.
Robinson, D. and Traill, B.J. (1996) Conserving woodland birds in the wheat and sheep belts of southern Australia. RAOU Conservation Statement No. 10. Birds Australia, Melbourne.
Webster, R. (1988) The Superb Parrot. A Survey of Breeding Distribution and Habitat Requirements. Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Canberra.
Webster, R. and Ahern, L. (1992) Management for Conservation of the Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) in NSW and Victoria. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Victorian Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources.
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