With a bold yellow-green body, bright crimson beak and deep blue-black wings, the regent parrot is a striking native bird that is special to many people.
But it's a vulnerable species which has declined in numbers over the past 50 years because of a loss of habitat, an increase in nest competition and more hazards and predators in its flight path.
Key points:
- The regent parrot is a vulnerable native species which has declined in numbers
- The Regent Parrot Recovery Team says planting more native shrubs and trees will attract the bird
- Students have been planting trees to help restore habitats after the River Murray flood
Kevin Smith, the chair of the South Australian Regent Parrot Recovery Team, is one of the many passionate people working to protect the bird within his home region.
He said planting native species that provided shelter and food for the parrot was a sure way to help improve population outlooks.
"I came to the Riverland around 50 years ago; they were very common, flying in large flocks in those days. We took it for granted," he said.
"But now if birdwatchers visit and want to see a regent parrot, we have to point them to specific sites."
Planting for parrots
The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board said regent parrot populations had declined by 66 per cent in South Australia since 2003 and estimated there were only 400 breeding pairs left in the wild.
Education officer Cindy Kakoschke said the drastic drop in numbers prompted her team to call on an army of young green thumbs from Loxton Primary School to help plant dozens of new plants.
"We've been working with the kids to educate them about regent parrots and what sort of species we can plant to help protect them and other native animals too," she said.
"We've now replaced a number of native trees and shrubs that got drowned out during the [2022-23 River Murray] flood ... in an effort to help."
Loxton Primary School year 6 student Amberly said she was excited to help the parrots have a brighter future and encouraged others to plant natives in their backyards.
"We've already got a plant that [attracts] regent parrots at our place," she said.
"We might even plant some more trees [at home] because it's really nice to have them fly in."
Mr Smith said it was inspiring to see the next generation take up the call to help protect native species like the regent parrot.
"Local farmers have also donated land to plant seedlings or direct seeded for the parrots and it's resulted in some tremendous results," he said.
He recommended anyone looking to attract regent parrots to their backyard could try planting a variety of native species including dodonaeas, saltbush, acacias or mallee trees.