The fastest parrot on the planet

It was estimated there were probably once 10,000 breeding pairs of Swift Parrots across Australia. It is estimated that there is now about 500 to 750 individuals left in the wild.

The Swift Parrot breeds in Tasmania, and in the winter, because it is so cold, they move across the Bass Strait and fly between Victoria and Queensland in search of winter flowering blossom and lerps, which are small insects that create little sugar domes on the leaves. Very sugary and sweet and full of energy. BirdLife Australia has been monitoring Swift Parrots on the mainland for the last decade, recording the most important habitat for Swift Parrots along the East Coast, and in those woodlands further inland, where they are going to feed and store up their energy supply before they come back to Tasmania after winter.