ExploreBirds

Swift Parrot

Lathamus discolor

The Swift Parrot is a colorful bird that loves to fly fast! It has bright green feathers and a beautiful red forehead. These parrots are known for their playful nature and love to eat nectar from flowers.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Swift Parrot is a slender, medium-sized parrot with brilliant grass-green plumage. It has a striking red face, chin, and forehead, bordered by a blue crown. Its vibrant red underwings and long, pointed tail are distinctive during flight.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPsittaciformesFamilyPsittacidaeGenusLathamus
Swift Parrot
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Swift Parrot

Category

Birds

Rarity

Rare

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Swift Parrot parents are known to chew tree hollows larger for their nests!

Their bright colours help them blend in perfectly with red eucalyptus blossoms.

These parrots are critically endangered, making every one super precious.

They fly non-stop across a large ocean strait every year for winter!

Special abilities

Ability

Nectar Sipper

Swift Parrot has a brush-tipped tongue that helps them lap up sweet nectar from eucalyptus flowers with great efficiency.

Ability

Rapid Flyer

Swift Parrot can fly with incredible speed and agility because of its streamlined body and pointed wings, helping them travel long distances quickly.

Ability

Leaf Peeler

Swift Parrot can use its specialized beak to peel bark and leaves, helping them extract tiny sugary lerps and insects for food.

Ability

Hollow Nester

Swift Parrot has strong claws and a hooked beak that helps them climb trees and find hollows for safe nesting sites.

Measurements & details

Length
24-26 cm
Wingspan
35-40 cm
Weight
0.05-0.08 kg
Lifespan
5-10 years
Top Speed
60 km/h
Clutch Size
3-5
Incubation
20-22 days
Migration Distance
1000 km

Diet & Feeding

These speedy parrots sip sweet nectar and munch on sugary lerps from eucalyptus trees.

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • pollen
  • psyllids
  • lerps
  • honeydew
  • eucalyptus seeds

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Tasmanian Blue Gum

Eucalyptus globulus

major source of nectar and nesting sites for breeding.

depends on

River Red Gum

Eucalyptus camaldulensis

key winter food source on mainland Australia.

eaten by

Brown Goshawk

Accipiter fasciatus

a common raptor that preys on adult Swift Parrots.

eaten by

Pied Currawong

Strepera graculina

known to prey on eggs and nestlings in tree hollows.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Swift Parrot?

24-26 cm

What is Swift Parrot's wingspan?

35-40 cm

How much does Swift Parrot weigh?

0.05-0.08 kg

How long does Swift Parrot live?

5-10 years

How fast can Swift Parrot move?

60 km/h

What does Swift Parrot eat?

These speedy parrots sip sweet nectar and munch on sugary lerps from eucalyptus trees.

Where is Swift Parrot usually found?

Forests

How does Swift Parrot hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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