Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii)

Description

The Superb Parrot is a slim grass-green bird with a long tail, growing about 40 cm in length.
The male's feathers are green with yellow-green underparts. Its forehead, throat and cheeks are yellow, with a scarlet band across the foreneck.
Females are green, with a dull bluish-green face.
They usually forage on the ground for seeds and herbs, or feed in the canopy and outer branches of shrubs and trees.
Their population is decreasing in many places, but more have been seen in the ACT. This is because climate change has caused them to move to the southeast of Australia.
They nest in the hollows of trees in groups around clusters of trees.
Females stay at the nest during the incubation period and until the chicks are developed.

Superb Parrots live in open woodlands, especially around riverine forests in the Riverina, and Box–Gum Woodlands.
They move extensively within their range in south-eastern Australia.
They’re commonly seen in the ACT during their breeding season from September to January.
Most sightings have been in the northern districts of Belconnen and Gungahlin, with more recently in Tuggeranong during autumn and winter.

Superb Parrots are migratory birds. Threats outside of the ACT will impact them in the ACT. The main threats to this species include habitat loss, climate change and nest competition.
Superb Parrots compete with other birds to find suitable trees for breeding and nesting. As more trees are removed, there's more competition for nesting sites.
Suitable hollows for breeding are rare, so the loss of trees that have suitable hollows is a significant loss.

National – Vulnerable (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
Australian Capital Territory – Vulnerable and Special Protection Status Species (Nature Conservation Act 2014).

Conservation actions aim to: