Rare and endangered. Breeds only in Tasmania. Nomadic on the mainland.
Habitat
In Tasmania, mostly associated with Tasmanian Blue Gums, in open, grassy, dry sclerophyll woodlands and forests. On mainland, mainly, dry, open, eucalypt forests and woodlands, usually box - ironbark communities. Often in urban areas, including parks and gardens, golf courses. Incoastal areas, dune woodland, Banksia thickets, open heathland.
Tasmania and possibly Flinders I in Bass Strait. Winters in eastern and south-eastern Australia.
Tasmania, migrating in March - June to south-eastern Australia, west to Mount Lofty Ranges, SA, north to about Bowen, in coastal eastern Qld, inland to Griffith - Warialda, NSW. Returning to Tasmania in August - October.
Population
Estimated population is 1,000 - 2,499 (2010) and decreasing.
Status CR
In Tasmania habitat destruction and fragmentation through clearing is the main threat. On the mainland clearance and degradation of habitat for agriculture, forestry and residential and commercial development are the main threats.
Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) [XC191396]
by Frank Lambert from Gilpin Park, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia (call)
Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) [XC502302]
by id from Quoiba, Devonport City Council, Tasmania, Australia (call)
Breeding Season (Guide)
Late September - early January, only in Tasmania.
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Nest
In a hollow limb or hole high up in a tree, usually a eucalypt.
Eggs (Guide)
3 - 5, usually 4; white; rounded; 24 - 27 x 19 - 22 mm. Incubation: about 20 days; by female.
Young
Fledge in about 6 weeks.
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Lorikeets - but they are a little chunkier and have shorter, wedged tails. Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna) which lacks the red underwing coverts, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus) which which has scaly yellow underbody markings.
References
See References.
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9
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BirdLife International Species Factsheet