Swift Parrot
Lathamus discolour
Psittacidae
Swift Parrots breed only in Tasmania and then fly across Bass Strait to
forage on the flowering eucalypts in open box–ironbark forests of the
Australian mainland. While on the mainland, they are nomadic, spending
weeks or months at some sites and only a few hours at others, determined
by the supply of nectar. During dry years, when the eucalypts’ flowering
is poor, Swift Parrots are forced to travel far and wide to find
sufficient food, and may congregate into large flocks at sites where it
is available.
The swift parrot isn't as famous as some of its Australian relatives.
Part of the reason could be because it's so rare. In fact, it's one of
Australia's most endangered birds, listed as — critically endangered in
the
IUCN Red List
of endangered species. According to a study conducted in 2014,
the species may face extinction by 2031 due to predation and loss of
habitat.