Superb Parrot - Nswfmpa.org

Animal Care Studies - Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, RichmondFigure 11. Other common Australian native food trees and shrubs of P. swainsonii.Blakely’s red Gum Eucalyptus blakelyiGrey Box Eucalyptus microcarpaMugga ironbark Eucalyptus sideroxylonEurabbie gum Eucalyptus bicostataSilver wattle Acacia dealbataWestern wreath wattle Acacia salignaEmubush Eremophila longifoliaCootamundra wattle Acacia baileyanaGold dust wattle Acacia acinaceaWyalong wattle Acacia cardiophyllaDeane’s wattle Acacia deaneiWestern silver wattle Acacia decoraGreen wattle Acacia decurrensSilky oak Grevillea robusta3.5 Longevity3.5.1 In the WildLike many parrot species P. swainsonii is probably quite long lived. Anecdotalinformation suggests that the species may live for twenty five years or more. (Websterand Ahern 1992)3.5.2 In CaptivityP. swainsonii has been known to live in excess of twenty years. A prolific breeding pairof P. swainsonii have been reported to have produced young for twenty years. (Forshaw2002) (Sindel and Gill 2003) (Wilson 1990)3.5.3 Techniques Used to Determine Age of AdultsSexingThe young leave the nest with similar plumage to the female then at about eight monthsold the young males commence a slow moult, which identifies their sex as the mottledadult male feathering gradually appears. This moult is not completed until during thesecond year. Juvenile females do not appear to moult as quickly or as extensively asjuvenile males. Generally the whole moulting process into adult plumage is usuallycompleted by about sixteen months old.There is some indication that young P. swainsonii can be sexed with certainty asadvanced nestlings or fledglings by examining the facial mask in sunlight. Young maleshave a yellow suffusion of the facial area while young females have a blue suffusion ofthe facial area.Keith Naylor 28/3/2005 Version 3 22