Australian Species ThreatenedSuperb swainsonii

CONSERVATION STATUS COMMONWEALTH: Vulnerable (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: Vulnerable (Nature Conservation Act 1980) : Vulnerable (Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995) : Threatened (and listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988)

The Superb Parrot is a striking found in central areas of southern WHERE DOES IT LIVE? New South Wales (NSW), the Australian The are found in the NSW Capital Territory (ACT) and Victoria. southwest slopes as well as northern Already under threat from land clearing, parts of the ACT and north central loss of hollows, and lack of regeneration Victoria. Each spring they retreat towards of woodland habitat, this species may the southwest to breed, mainly in River soon be faced with another challenge and Blakely’s red gums. They then – the common bird. move further north and east, relying on Photo: Katherine Miller woodland habitat for flowers, fruits and seed, particularly in box and Blakely’s red gum. As one of the many Australian WHAT DOES IT bird species that uses tree hollows for breeding, clearing of woodland areas DID YOU KNOW... LOOK LIKE? has had a large impact on the parrot and, • The total population of the Superb The Superb Parrot is a medium-sized with minimal replacement of old trees, Parrot is estimated to be only a few bird with a long slender tail. Both males its numbers may continue to decline in thousand and females have a green body, although the future. • It is the official emblem of NSW’s the plumage on males tends to be more Boorowa Shire brilliant. Males also have a yellow forehead • The species is also known as the and cheeks with a throat trimmed with Barraband Parrot, Parraband Parakeet, scarlet, while females display a more plain Scarlet-breasted Parrot or Green Leek. bluish colouring on the face. THE COMMON MYNA BIRD: A MAJOR THREAT!

WHY ARE COMMON WHY ARE MYNA BIRDS A THREAT TO THE A PROBLEM IN SUPERB PARROT? Recent surveys of common myna ? populations indicate the birds are Common mynas ( tristis), spreading out from established also known as Indian mynas, were populations in towards introduced to Australia in 1862. Brought Superb Parrot habitat to the north. in to control in ’s As the common myna competes with market gardens, they were also native birds for nesting hollows, there is released in other parts of the country concern it may soon pose a threat to the for control. The birds proved to be Superb Parrot. It could also impact on unsuccessful at their intended role, and other hollow-dependent species such instead became an environmental threat as squirrel gliders. In a landscape where at a range of Australian coastal locations hollows are rare and limiting population and in some inland areas. growth for threatened species, competition from common mynas could have a major Photo: Andrew Tatnell impact on native birds and . Populations of introduced common mynas are found in many parts of the world including , , and numerous pacific islands. The HOW YOU CAN HELP • Find out whether a common myna species has pushed native birds towards WHAT’S BEING DONE? reporting scheme has been established extinction in Polynesia, , and Australian National University researcher in your local area . In 2000 the World Conservation Dr Chris Tidemann has worked with • Report any population changes to Union acknowledged their threat on an Environment ACT to trial a trapping local council, your state or territory international scale, listing them in the mechanism for common mynas at feeding conservation agency or local bird club top 100 of the world. areas. Funding from the NSW Department • Help reduce other threats to woodland Common mynas nest in hollows and have of Environment & Conservation, the birds by getting involved in conserving been known to evict native birds such Hermon Slade Foundation and the their woodland habitat. For more as rosellas and even kookaburras. Over Australian Government’s Natural Heritage information contact your Threatened the past 20 years common mynas have Trust has recently been provided to help Species Network Coordinator or local quadrupled their range along Australia’s Dr Tidemann conduct trials of trapping state or territory conservation agency. eastern seaboard. mynas at communal roosts in (tropical) and Canberra (temperate). A medium-sized, chocolate brown bird, the species has a black head and neck Councils and community groups along CONTACT AND REFERENCES and a yellow beak, eye patch, feet and the eastern coast are setting up hotline Alison Colyer legs. Unlike many other birds the myna numbers to track the spread of the bird. NSW & ACT Coordinator walks – rather than hops – when moving In Albury Wodonga, which is currently free Threatened Species Network along the ground. of the pest, a ‘wanted’ poster encourages Ph: (02) 8202 1222 reported sightings. Email: [email protected] Visit: www.wwf.org.au/tsn In addition travellers have been asked not to leave food scraps along roadsides, as You can also find out more information this may help the birds’ travel. The Central about Australia’s threatened species by visiting Coast Indian Myna Action Group is also www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened or raising awareness of the threat and is contacting the Department of the Environment developing eradication programs in the and Heritage Community Information Unit on local area. free-call 1800 803 772.

• Pell, A.S. and Tidemann, C.R. (1997). The ecology of the common myna (Acridotheres tristis) in urban nature reserves in the Australian Capital Territory. EMU 97: 141-149. • Pell, A.S. and Tidemann, C.R. (1997). The impact of two exotic hollow-nesting birds on two native parrots in savannah and woodland in eastern Australia. Biological The Threatened Species Network is a community-based Conservation 79: 145-153. program of the Australian Government & WWF-Australia.