Juvenile vs Adult Swift Parrots

Thanks to Alan for his regular updates on the Swift Parrots on the central coast!  

Here is a challenge for anyone who gets a good look at Swift Parrots this season - can you identify juveniles from adults?  The recovery team would like to get an idea of the number of juvenile birds vs adult birds from as many flocks as possible to try and get a handle on juvenile survival.  If you do get the opportunity, it would be very much appreciated if you send me an brief email with details of the number of birds positively identified as juvenile and adult, and the estimated total flock size.

So how do you tell which ones are juv?  The easiest ways to tell are their dull plumage (sometimes similar to adult female, but usually duller) and dark brown iris (instead of the yellow iris found in adults).  There is a photograph in our 'Swifts Across the Strait' newsletter coming out soon which provides a direct comparison of plumage differences between males, females and juveniles.

Cheers Deb

Debbie Saunders
Swift Parrot Recovery Officer
National Swift Parrot Recovery Team
PO Box 2115 Queanbeyan NSW 2620

02 6298 9733 or 1800 66 57 66
 or 

Please note:  The views expressed in this email may be those of the author and/or the Swift Parrot Recovery Team, and therefore are not necessarily views of the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation.

"Alan Morris" <> 07/06/2004 02:48 PM

To:        <>         cc:        "Karen Douglas" <>, "Tim Morris" <>, <>         Subject:        Swift Parrots on the Central Coast

Hi Birders,
Swift Parrots continue to be present on the Central Coast with numbers still
increasing. However they are still only being reported in the Bateau Bay
area. Between 1-7 June, they were recorded as follows:

20+ Sutton Reserve, cnr Sutton Res & Bateau Bay Rd Bateau Bay
30+ Lakin St, mostly cnr of Lakin St & Point St, Bateau Bay (S33 22 51 E151
28 46)
10+ Murray St Bateau Bay
6+ cnr Bias Ave and Anne Finlay Place, Bateau Bay (S33 22 46  E151 28 43)
2+ Nareen Gardens, Yakalla St Bateau Bay (S33 22 37  E151 28 44) only on
2/6/04

While there is some movement between all the sites, at any one time during
the seven days you could find birds at each of the four sites. All birds
appear to be feeding in flowering Swamp Mahogany, except that the Murray St
birds must also be taking lerps because there are few trees in flower at
this site. My guess is that there are about 60 birds.

Alan Morris





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