Amazing encounter with a flock of Swifties

Bruny Island
I was working up in Newcastle, in the Newcastle area, which is a really important habitat for Swift Parrots and also another critically endangered bird, the Regent Honey-Eater.

Both species have very similar habitats in that wintering period. One day, I went for a drive down to Sydney, and on my way back, I'd heard there were some Swift Parrots in the area.

Now, I'd never seen them before. I've lived in Tasmania for a number of years. I bought a conservation block just outside of Hobart, that is, with Swift Parrot habitat, but I'd never seen one. And I stopped into this site, just south of Newcastle, and I saw my first Swift Parrot. But it wasn't one, it was 200! This was about 2017 or 18, and it's probably one of the largest flocks that's been seen for that species in a number of years.

They were very low, they were feeding on Swamp Mahogany, and just chattering away and roosting for the night. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've seen for a long time.

Then on a morning in 2023, I came to Bruny Island, and I saw 16 or so Swift Parrots looking around in search for hollows just on the northern side of Bruny, and that's the first time I've seen Swift Parrots here in Tasmania. And that's one my special experiences with nature, but I've got plenty more. I do love Parrots, and I have to say, they are amazing, amazing birds.

Swift parrot2 Kim Murray
The Swift Parrot, an amazing amazing bird. Image: Kim Murray

Lyndel Wilson
Lyndel Wilson
Lyndel is the terrestrial birds program leader at BirdLife Australia


Share

You might like...

Mosman Bushcare

From Bulldozers to Bush Regeneration

The Mosman Parks and Bushland Association was formed in the 1964 by residents protesting against a road being bulldozed through natural bushland in Mosman. This group became the birthplace for Australia's bush regeneration movement.

Read more
Kuno Desktop

How to use Kuno

Kuno is your platform to share a love of Earth. Here is a simple guide for how to use it.

Read more
Child camping

Camping on Bruny Island

Bruny Island is a wonderful place to relax, forget about the worries of the world, and to reconnect with nature. There are a number of great spots to camp, perfect for kids and families, and nestled close to great walks and magic parts of the Bruny coastline.

Read more
Mouth of Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour – a river valley flooded in the last ice age

What is now Sydney Harbour, 12,000 years ago was a river valley that was drowned. Water flooded in and the sea level rose 120 metres

Read more

Newsletter

Sign up to keep in touch with articles, updates, events or news from Kuno, your platform for nature