About the Swift Parrot
The swift parrot, also known by the palawa kani name swift waylitja, is a species of broad-tailed parrot, found only in southeastern Australia. The species breeds in Tasmania during the summer and migrates north to southeastern mainland Australia from Griffith-Warialda in New South Wales and west to Adelaide in the winter. It is a nomadic migrant, and it settles in an area only when there is food available. The Swift Parrot was voted 2023 Bird of the Year in The Guardian Australia and BirdLife Australia's biennial poll.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The swift parrot is about 25 centimetres (10 in) long and has long pointed wings and long tapering tail feathers. It is mainly green with bluish crown and red on the face above and below the beak. The adult female is slightly duller, and the juvenile has a dark brown iris and a pale orange bill. The forehead to throat is crimson and there is also crimson patch at the top, edge of the wing. They are noisy, always active and showy, and are very fast with their direct flight.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in May · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Red-crowned ParakeetCyanoramphus novaezelandiaeVoice: Red-crowned parakeets can be recognised by their soft, musical, chattering calls.
Moluccan EclectusEclectus roratusThe Moluccan eclectus is unusual in the parrot family for its marked visible light sexual dimorphism in the colours of the plumage.
Red-capped ParrotPurpureicephalus spuriusThe red-capped parrot has a long bill and bright, clear patterned plumage, variously described as magnificent, gaudy, or clownishly coloured.
Learn the Swift Parrot for real
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