This has been an interesting
discussion. On the topic of superbs feeding on insects, in captivity superbs are
well known to feed on insects, predominantly mealworms, particularly when
breeding. They do this more than any other large parrot I can think of, except
perhaps cockatoos (check out the walk through aviary if you don’t believe me).
This may be biased by the fact they are more often kept with finches (which tend
to be fed livefood). If it isn’t in HANZAB doesn’t mean it isn’t true. I cant recall if they feed on
crickets/grasshoppers. I suspect they would feed on grasshoppers, but only on
occasion and I don’t think this would be a reason to migrate. In my original
email I wondered about whether food might be a reason for coming to Canberra as
implied below in the Woodland Strategy however I wasn’t convinced by ‘acacia
seed’ and therefore asked for observations of feeding. My gut feeling is that
the influx is a post breeding (nesting) dispersal in search of food. Chris D
suggestion that it has been a good year for wild oats is correct. Although
seeding finished many months ago around most of Belconnen seeding may have been
extended around watered ovals, so this may still be a reason. On Anthonys 'group learning' I recall seeing
something on it for starlings but cant think of others, except of
course insects where it is a common scientific meme.
Benj Whitworth
‘4.6.9 Superb
Parrot
( Polytelis
swainsonii)
(for species description see
Appendix 2.7)
HABITAT
REQUIREMENTS
Critical habitat features for the
Superb Parrot include:
■ clusters of large living and
dead trees for nesting sites.
The Hall area in the northern
part of the ACT forms the southern edge of one of the two main centres for
breeding distribution of the Superb Parrot (Figure 4.1). This area extends north
to Cowra and west to Cootamundra. Martin (1996) and Davey (1997) identified a
number of areas to the north-west of the ACT that are potentially important
breeding habitat areas for the Superb Parrot. Off-reserve habitat retention is
very important for this ‘landscape’ species as its breeding habitat is mainly
located in rural lands where woodlands are highly fragmented. The Superb Parrot
forages mainly on the ground for seeds of grasses and herbs but also feeds in
the canopy and outer branches of shrubs. The species has been recorded in the
breeding season in the ACT utilising seeds of planted Acacia spp. and lerps on
remnant Yellow Box trees (Taws 2002).
THREATS
The Superb Parrot has been
seriously disadvantaged by extensive clearing and disturbance of its prime
habitat, the box woodlands in the ACT, NSW and Victoria. In the past, activities
associated with illegal trade in wildlife, such as poaching and trapping, are
likely to have contributed to the decline of Superb Parrot in the ACT region but
the species is now abundant in captivity. Road kills of birds feeding on spilt
grain remain a problem. However, the overall effects on the species are
insignificant in comparison with habitat loss and its consequential effects.
(See also sections 4.3, 4.4.2 and Table 4.2).’
ACT Government, 2004 Woodlands for Wildlife: ACT Lowland
Woodland Conservation Strategy. Action Plan
No. 27. Pg 52. Environment ACT, Canberra.
