Biodiversity of Wielangta Forest - Wild Wielangta - Edublogs

Swift parrot (Lathamus discolor)
33
Biodiversity of Wielangta Forest
This is one of only two migratory parrots found throughout the world, the other being the orange
bellied parrot, another summer breeding visitor to Tasmania. The swift parrot is listed under State
and Commonwealth legislation as endangered. It has also been nominated for uplisting under the
EPBC Act to the highest level of risk of ‘critically endangered’. The Commonwealth are due to
complete an assessment by September 2011. Population numbers and trends are extremely difficult
to measure due to the sporadic breeding behaviour responding to the nectar resource. The most cited
number is an estimated 1000 breeding pairs 5 .
Swift parrot feeding on blue gum
photo Chris Tzaros
The swift parrot nests in tree hollows in Tasmania, usually in association with areas supporting
flowering blue gums (Eucalyptus globulus), the largest native nectar producing eucalypt. The
distribution of E. globulus influences the core breeding range of the swift parrot along the Tasmanian
east coast. Wielangta is placed centrally within this range and is recognised as the heart of the largest
‘swift parrot important breeding area’ (SPIBA) 6 . SPIBAs are defined as “zones containing areas of
nesting-habitat and foraging-habitat in close proximity, assumed to be necessary for breeding in
years when local conditions are suitable” 7 . The Wielangta SPIBA supports the “greatest area of
nesting-habitat in close proximity to foraging-habitat of all the SPIBAs” with 35% of the SPIBA
estimated to support high/medium density nesting habitat. Currently only 15 % of the SPIBA is
reserved.
5 Swift Parrot Recovery Team (2001)
6 Forest Practices Authority (2010)
7 Forest Practices Authority (2010)
Wild Wielangta