A tiny, turbocharged burst of green, red, and blue zips through the skies of southeastern Australia. As their name suggests, these parrots are fast — they can fly at incredible speeds and change direction mid-air like feathered fighter jets. They’re sleek, elegant, and only about the size of your hand, but their bright green bodies, red faces, and shimmering blue wing patches make them stand out beautifully against the treetops — if you’re lucky enough to spot one before it vanishes in a blur!

One of the coolest things about swift parrots is their epic travel schedule. Every year, they migrate across the Bass Strait between mainland Australia and Tasmania — a journey of several hundred kilometers over the open ocean. They breed in Tasmania during spring and summer, nesting in tree hollows and feeding on the nectar of flowering eucalypts, especially blue gums. When autumn rolls around, they pack up and head to the mainland, following the blooming patterns of eucalyptus trees up and down the southeastern coast. Basically, they’re nomads on a nonstop flower tour.

Despite their speed and smarts, swift parrots are in serious trouble. Their biggest threats are habitat loss from logging and the spread of sugar gliders (a non-native predator in Tasmania) that raid nests and eat chicks. Conservation groups are working hard to protect their nesting sites and food trees, but time is tight. These little birds are a perfect example of how even the fastest fliers need a safe place to land.

If you ever get a chance to hear or see a swift parrot, it’s unforgettable. Their high-pitched, tinkling calls sound like tiny bells ringing as they dart through the canopy, often traveling in small, noisy flocks.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Australia

500

Official estimate

CR

2018