There’s something to chirp about at Moonlit Sanctuary.
The Pearcedale wildlife park has welcomed a pair of Swift Parrots in a desperate effort to save the native breed from extinction.
With no more than 1000 breeding pairs left in the wild, experts say their time could be up in less than a decade.
But the park has started a race to increase their numbers. “They are a very special Aussie native that deserves more attention,” the park’s Avian Threatened Species program coordinator Ash Herrod said.
“We are very excited to welcome two young unrelated pairs of Swift Parrots to our Sanctuary to commence a breeding program,” he said.
The Swift Parrot breeds only in Tasmania and migrates to south-east Australia making it the longest migrating bird in the world.
They are described as “noisy, active and showy birds,” reaching speeds of up to 90km per hour.
The birds are currently being exhibited at Moonlit Sanctuary, 550 Tyabb-Tooradin Road, Pearcedale.
