Two superb parrots held by the hands of researchers.

Superb Parrot Project
Together with the Difficult Bird Research Group, this superb parrot project aims to address these knowledge gaps by examining the species’ habitat use, population dynamics, and migratory movements.

Above photo by Dion Geogopoulos.

An imperiled species

There are several challenges facing the conservation of threatened superb parrots (Polytelis swainsonii).

Their high mobility and unpredictable movements have necessitated multi-scale research, ranging from regional (e.g., bioclimatic domain) to local (e.g., nest tree selection). Most of these suggest an uncertain future for the species.

Despite their mobility, their requirements for old, hollow-bearing trees makes them particularly susceptible to the ongoing loss and destruction of crucial breeding and foraging habitat due to land clearing and climate change.

How many are left?

Superb parrots are listed as Vulnerable. However, agreement on population estimates and conservation status is lacking among experts.

This lack of consensus is largely due to important knowledge gaps in superb parrot ecology. A poor understanding of the species’ seasonal movements and breeding ecology, as well as extreme variation in local abundances across large spatial and temporal scales, has impeded robust assessment.

Two researchers hold superb parrots in their hands, sitting in a grass woodland environment.

Photo by Dion Geogopoulos.

Difficult, but crucial, research

Together with the Difficult Bird Research Group, this superb parrot project aims to address these knowledge gaps by examining the species’ habitat use, population dynamics, and migratory movements.

The knowledge will inform up-to-date conservation assessments and allow for greater protections of critical breeding, foraging, and wintering sites.

A researcher abseils a tree.

Photo by Dion Geogopoulos.

Team Members

  • McLean Cobden