SAVE THE SWIFT PARROT

The Australian Swift Parrot is arguably the fastest parrot in the world, and one of only three parrots that are migratory. They travel from a small forest habitat in Tasmania where it nests to Eucalypt forests in south-eastern Australia. Both of these areas are being systematically logged, due to a ‘loophole’ in the weak environmental legislation by a company called “Sustainable Timber Tasmania”. Current estimations are that the Swift Parrot will be extinct within 10 years. Its numbers have dropped to no more than 750 birds, of which only around 300 breed. To see a flock of Swift Parrots, coloured brilliant green and red, flying through Eucalypt forest, is one of the great sights in nature. Unlike most parrots that are seed eaters, the Swift Parrot has a brush tongue and feeds on nectar as well as lerps

The beautiful Paradice parrot became extinct early in European settlement. The Swift Parrot must not join it. Government, bot Federal and Tasmanian State are aware of this threat, but few seem to care. Seeing a flock of galahs fly past seems to satisfy their conscience where conservation is concerned.  You don’t need to be an Ornithologist, birder or bird-lover to be alarmed by this threat. An extinction of any species, no matter how insignificant, is another nail in the coffin of the worlds’ environment, already under major strain.

The government is about to rewrite environmental laws, after 20 years. Now is an opportunity to help. Write to Federal and State Ministers of Conservation in your state. Every letter helps.

Most Politician’s chief concern is their re-election. “People Power” saved the Franklin Dam and other Australian icons. Usually, a bit of glamour needs to be associated with a vulnerable item. Well, this Parrot certainly qualities in that area.

Australia has the worst record for species extinction in the world. Don’t let the Swift Parrot be added to that list.