Superb Parrot - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Polytelis swainsonii

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 12 Nov 2024

Description

The Superb Parrot is a distinctive medium-sized, bright grass-green parrot with a long, narrow tail and sharply back-angled wings in flight. Males have yellow foreheads and throats and a red crescent that separates the throat from the green breast and belly. Females are slightly duller green and have a dull, light blue wash in place of the males' red and yellow markings.

Distribution

The Superb Parrot is found throughout eastern inland NSW. On the South-western Slopes their core breeding area is roughly bounded by Cowra and Yass in the east, and Grenfell, Cootamundra and Coolac in the west. Birds breeding in this region are mainly absent during winter, when they migrate north to the region of the upper Namoi and Gwydir Rivers. The other main breeding sites are in the Riverina along the corridors of the Murray, Edward and Murrumbidgee Rivers where birds are present all year round. It is estimated that there are less than 5000 breeding pairs left in the wild.

Habitat and ecology

Inhabit Box-Gum, Box-Cypress-pine and Boree woodlands and River Red Gum forest.
In the Riverina superb parrots nest in the hollows of large trees (dead or alive) mainly in tall riparian River Red Gum forest or woodland. On the South West Slopes and Southern Tablelands nest trees can be in open Box-Gum woodland or isolated living or dead paddock trees. Species known to be used are Blakely’s Red Gum, Yellow Box, Apple Box and Red Box.
Superb Parrots nest in tree hollows with an entrance diameter of 6 cm or wider, and that are at least 3.5 m above the ground
Nest in small colonies, often with more than one nest in a single tree.
Breed between September and January, with nesting typically from October to late December.
May forage up to 10 km from nesting sites, primarily in grassy box woodland.
Feed in trees and understorey shrubs and on the ground and their diet consists mainly of grass seeds and herbaceous plants. Also eaten are fruits, berries, nectar, buds, flowers, insects and grain.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Loss of living and dead hollow-bearing trees.
Loss of breeding and foraging habitat.
Loss of breeding and foraging habitat.
Poor regeneration of nesting trees and food resources.
Loss of habitat from private native forestry activities.
Feeding on grain spills and subsequently being struck by vehicles.
Loss of hollows to feral bees and native and exotic hollow-nesting birds.
Illegal trapping which can also result in the destruction of hollows.
Illegal shooting of birds in orchards.
Lack of knowledge of population trends in the Superb Parrot.
Lack of knowledge of key flight paths and corridors of the Superb Parrot.
Loss of habitat trees from fire damage during hazard reduction and stubble burns.
Lack of knowledge about the breeding ecology and breeding success of this species.
Competition with Noisy Miners for breeding and foraging habitat and resources.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Retain and protect hollow-bearing trees.
Retain and protect woodland remnants.
Ensure that impacts to Superb Parrot habitat are avoided and if this is not achievable ensure that loss of habitat is adequately offset
Report grain spills to local authorities so they can be removed.
Report suspected illegal bird trapping, egg collection or sales to NPWS.
Cover grain trucks and check all openings are properly sealed.
Remove feral bee colonies from hollows in Superb Parrot habitat, or report them to relevant land manager (OEH, NPWS, LLS, Crown Lands, Local Government)
Ensure that hazard reduction burns and stubble burns avoid damaging large hollow-bearing trees that provide Superb Parrot breeding habitat

Information sources

Garnett, S.T. and Crowley, G.M. (2000) The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000. Environment Australia, Canberra.
Higgins, P.J. (ed.) (1999) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 4: Parrots to Dollarbird.
Robinson, D. and Traill, B.J. (1996) Conserving woodland birds in the wheat and sheep belts of southern Australia. RAOU Conservation Statement No. 10. (Birds Australia, Melbourne)
Webster, R. (1988) The Superb Parrot. A Survey of Breeding Distribution and Habitat Requirements. Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Canberra.
Webster, R. and Ahern, L. (1992) Management for Conservation of the Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) in NSW and Victoria. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Victorian Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Plains	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Moonie-Barwon Interfluve	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Narrandool	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Northern Outwash	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga Outwash	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Talbragar Valley	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Barnato Downs	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Boorindal Plains	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Canbelego Downs	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Lachlan Plains	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Nymagee	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Bogan-Macquarie	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Castlereagh-Barwon	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Culgoa-Bokhara	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Louth Plains	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Warrambool-Moonie	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Known	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Inland Slopes	Known	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Lower Slopes	Known	None
Ocean	South Pacific Ocean	Predicted	None
Other State	ACT	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Predicted	None
Riverina	Lachlan	Known	None
Riverina	Murray Fans	Known	None
Riverina	Murrumbidgee	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Bathurst	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Bondo	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Crookwell	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Hill End	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Monaro	Known	North of Hoskinstown
South Eastern Highlands	Murrumbateman	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Oberon	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Orange	Known	None

Sounds

Images

Male superb parrots in acacia Image 1 of 5.
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