What do Superb Parrots look like?
The Superb Parrot, Polytelis swainsonii, is a small and graceful parrot with brightly coloured red, green, yellow and blue feathers.
Superb Parrots are around 37-42 cm long, which is a medium size for a parrot. Male and females share similar features, including their brownish red beak and red eyes. The males are brighter in colour, with a yellow forehead and cheeks, scarlet chest, and green body. The females are mainly green with a gold tinge and red thighs with splashes of pink.
Where are Superb Parrots found?
Superb Parrots live in different parts of south-east Australia throughout the year. In summer, they live in the Riverina areas of NSW and Victoria, and in winter Superb Parrots migrate to north-central NSW near the Namoi and Macquarie rivers.
In the wild, Superb Parrots prefer open forests and woodlands near rivers. They especially love forests with plenty of mature River Red Gum trees to breed in. Other trees they are fond of include Blakely’s Red Gum, White Box, Red Box, Apple Box and Green Box trees.
Fast facts:
- The Superb Parrot is listed as a vulnerable species in the ACT and NSW and is protected nationally and internationally. Land clearing has destroyed much of the habitat they need to nest in.
- Superb Parrots have a number of nicknames, including Barraband’s Parrot, the Green Leek, and the Scarlet-Breasted Parrot. They communicate with a strong, sharp ‘krak-karrark‘ sound.
Superb Parrot
The Superb Parrot, Polytelis swainsonii, is a small and graceful parrot with brightly coloured red, green, yellow and blue feathers. It lives in south-eastern Australia in the Riverina area of New South Wales and Victoria, and in winter it migrates to northern New South Wales.
The Superb Parrot is listed as a vulnerable species in the ACT and NSW and is protected nationally and internationally. Land clearing has destroyed much of the habitat they need to nest in.
Superb Parrots feed mainly on the ground during early mornings and late afternoons. They forage for food with family members or in small flocks of up to thirty birds. Superb Parrots enjoy eating the seeds of grasses and plants, fruits, berries, nectar, flowers and some insects.
Superb Parrots also search for food in shrubs and trees, and build their nests using wood dust in the hollows of mature or dead trees.
Try to plant native trees in your backyard for Superb Parrots to munch on. Also leave any mature or dead trees standing, especially large, tall gum trees and eucalypts. These are Superb Parrots favourite nesting trees, and it takes about 100 years for a gum tree to develop the deep hollows that Superb Parrots need.
Superb Parrots usually build their nests very close to water. Many pairs choose a tree with branches that overhang a river.
Although this may be difficult to achieve in your backyard, you can still help Superb Parrots by placing some clean, fresh water in a dish in your backyard.
Superb Parrots love:
- Munching on psyllids and their lerps, which are the insects’ crystallised honeydew covering.
- Having their nest tree quite close to their feed trees, which are usually not more than 10 km away.
- Eating grain spilled from passing trucks onto roads, especially during harvest seasons.
But they don’t like:
- Eating seeds contaminated by pesticides, which poison them.
- Common Starlings, Common Mynas and honey bees. These all compete with Superb Parrots for nest trees. This competition is especially difficult because Superb Parrots are not very territorial.
- Being trapped, or having their eggs or babies taken away to be sold as pets. This is illegal under Australian law.
Try to:
- Plant native trees and shrubs in your backyard for Superb Parrots to eat. They particularly enjoy eucalypt flowers and native Common Wallaby Grass.
- Be watchful when driving near any crop-growing farms. There may be a flock of Superb Parrots feeding on seeds spilled onto the road by passing trucks.
- Call the National Parks and Wildlife Service of your state to if you see any Superb Parrots being trapped, or having their eggs or babies taken away.
Avoid:
- Using pesticides in your garden. Superb Parrots munch on bugs such as psyllids. Over time, a bird can get sick from eating too many bugs poisoned by pesticides and chemicals.
- Cutting down trees in your backyard, even if they are old or dead. The main threat to Superb Parrots is the clearing of trees, so any trees you have will provide a welcome refuge.
Don’t be surprised if Superb Parrots:
- Are just as swift and graceful as they are beautiful. Their wing beats are quick and effortless, making them soar through the sky with ease.
- Are difficult to spot. Although they are brightly coloured and distinctive, the numbers of Superb Parrots left in Australia are dwindling.
A few more Superb Parrots facts
- Superb Parrots are around 37-42 cm long, which is a medium size for a parrot. Male and females share similar features, including their brownish red beak and red eyes. The males are brighter in colour, with a yellow forehead and cheeks, scarlet chest, and green body. The females are mainly green with a gold tinge and red thighs with splashes of pink.
- Superb Parrots live in different parts of south-east Australia throughout the year. In summer, they live in the Riverina areas of NSW and Victoria, and in winter Superb Parrots migrate to north-central NSW near the Namoi and Macquarie rivers.
- In the wild, Superb Parrots prefer open forests and woodlands near rivers. They especially love forests with plenty of mature River Red Gum trees to breed in. Other trees they are fond of include Blakely’s Red Gum, White Box, Red Box, Apple Box and Green Box trees.
- Superb Parrots have a number of nicknames, including Barraband’s Parrot, the Green Leek, and the Scarlet-Breasted Parrot. They communicate with a strong, sharp ‘krak-karrark‘ sound.
