Swift Parrot
Lathamus discolor
A fast-flying, slender Australian parrot with a bright red face and throat set against green plumage.
- Feather type
- Slender contour feathers and long, pointed flight feathers
- Colours
- Bright green with red face, throat, and underwing patches
- Bird size
- Small, ~25 cm including tail
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Overview
Overview
The Swift Parrot is a small, streamlined Australian parrot known for its exceptionally fast, direct flight and long, pointed wings, more reminiscent of a falcon's silhouette than a typical parrot. It breeds in Tasmania and migrates to the Australian mainland outside the breeding season, a pattern unusual among parrots.
- Long, pointed wings adapted for fast flight
- One of relatively few migratory parrot species
- Closely tied to flowering eucalypts for food
Identifying the Feather
Feather Identification
Swift Parrot feathers are notably slender and pointed, reflecting its fast, direct flight style.
- Face and throat feathers: bright red, extending from the forehead down through the throat
- Body feathers: bright green overall, with a slightly yellow tinge on the underparts
- Underwing feathers: red patches visible in flight, adding to the overall red-and-green contrast
- Flight feathers: long, narrow, and pointed compared to the more rounded flight feathers of many other parrots
- Compared to similar species: the Musk Lorikeet shows a smaller, more restricted red facial patch and lacks the extensively long, pointed wing feathers characteristic of the Swift Parrot's fast-flight adaptation
Plumage & Molt
Plumage Notes
Sexes are similar, both showing the red face and throat with green body plumage, though females may show slightly less extensive red. Juveniles are duller, with reduced red coloring that develops fully after their first molt.
- Limited sexual dimorphism in plumage intensity
- Juvenile plumage is a muted version of the adult pattern
- Molt schedule is tied to its migratory cycle between Tasmania and the mainland
Habitat & Range
Habitat & Range
Breeds in eucalypt forests of Tasmania and migrates to southeastern mainland Australia outside the breeding season.
- Strongly tied to flowering eucalypts, following nectar availability across its range
- One of the few genuinely migratory parrot species, crossing Bass Strait each year
- Occupies forest and woodland habitats on both sides of its migratory route
Behavior & Field Notes
Behavior & Field Notes
Swift Parrots are fast, agile fliers, often detected first by their rapid wingbeats and direct flight path through open forest.
- Diet: primarily nectar and pollen from flowering eucalypts, supplemented with some seeds and insects
- Nesting: nests in tree hollows in Tasmanian forests during the breeding season
- Voice: sharp, chattering calls given in flight, often the first indication of a passing flock
- Field notes: the combination of fast, falcon-like flight and a bright red face makes this species distinctive among Australian parrots, even in brief flight views
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Swift Parrot named for its flight?
It has long, pointed wings and an exceptionally fast, direct flight style, unusual among parrots and resembling that of some falcons.
Is the Swift Parrot migratory?
Yes, it is one of the few migratory parrot species, breeding in Tasmania and moving to the southeastern Australian mainland outside the breeding season.
What feather feature helps identify the Swift Parrot?
A bright red face and throat combined with long, narrow, pointed flight feathers are the clearest identifying features.
What does the Swift Parrot mainly feed on?
It feeds primarily on nectar and pollen from flowering eucalypts, following blossom availability across its range.
Swift Parrot guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Swift Parrot.
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