Saving the Superb Parrot

HCLG has been working with other groups to improve habitat for the vulnerable Superb Parrot

Capacity building - LEP23 - 014_LLC06

The issue

In the south western slopes of New South Wales, over 90 percent of suitable habitat for Superb Parrots has been cleared, with remaining patches mostly along roadsides or in small scattered remnant patches on private land. This has led to a significant decline in population numbers and the species is listed in NSW as vulnerable. The main threats to the survival of the Superb Parrot are loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitat, limited nesting sites as a result of habitat loss, increased competition for hollows with native and non-native species and widespread pervasive factors such as impacts of climate change and disease.

The solution

Under the Saving Our Species program, the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has funded a consortium of eight groups over the last seven years (Upper Lachlan Landcare, Boorowa Community Landcare, Mid Lachlan Landcare, Lachlandcare, Greening Australia, Cowra Woodland Birds, Hovells Creek Landcare and OEH) to support the survival of this species in the South Western Slopes.  Our group has been doing a mix of activities over this time including planting clusters of habitat trees and shrubs, especially along waterways and around old dead River Red Gums, planting paddock trees for connectivity, fencing areas to allow for regrowth, direct seeding of habitat species, putting up Superb Parrot nesting boxes and doing educational activities.

The impact

The achievements across the eight groups have been awe-inspiring. Up to June 2024, these included nearly 40,000 new trees and shrubs planted, 6000 paddock trees planted with stock-proof guards, over 400ha of remnant box gum woodland threatened ecological community fenced and protected and over 160ha of revegetation from direct seeding or tubestock planting. There have been more than 400 Superb Parrot transect counts done and more than 100 additional sightings recorded in the Atlas of Living Australia and Bionet. Farmers have also benefitted greatly from improving habitat on their land and being part of such a dynamic and worthwhile project.

Author: Robin Aitken

Key facts

  • 90% of Superb Parrot habitat cleared in SW slopes
  • Subsequent significant decline in numbers
  • Saving our Species program to improve habitat

Project Partners