Critically endangered parrot narrowly pips the tawny frogmouth, runner-up for the third time in the biennial Guardian/BirdLife Australia poll
In a dazzling turn of events during the biennial Guardian/BirdLife Australia poll, the critically endangered swift parrot has emerged triumphant, capturing the hearts of voters and sending a resounding message about the urgent need to protect its habitat—making it more than just a competition, but a call to action.
Despite starting in the shadows, the swift parrot, fueled by a groundswell of grassroots support, catapulted from around 10th place to claim the coveted title this week. In a nail-biting final 24 hours of polling, an astonishing 11,171 votes rallied behind the swift parrot, creating a 442-point lead over its competitor, the Tawny Frogmouth, which received 10,729 votes.
BirdLife Australia’s National Public Affairs Manager, Sean Dooley, expressed, “This was more than a mere vote; it was a collective effort from individuals captivated not just by the birds themselves but by their compelling story of survival.”
In a competition where every feather tells a tale, both the swift parrot and the tawny frogmouth took center stage, weaving a narrative of conservation and celebration of these remarkable avian species.”
Before the poll even took flight, the swift parrot was thrust into the limelight when Guardian Australia unearthed a startling revelation: the recently announced recovery plan by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek had not been shared with the very experts who played a crucial role in its development. Furthermore, the plan failed to adequately address the alarming issues of logging in the parrot’s breeding grounds in Tasmania and habitat clearing on the mainland.
As the poll unfolded, new population projections for the swift parrot added a sobering note to the proceedings. Researchers at the Australian National University reported that the species was experiencing an accelerated decline. Even without factoring in the looming threat of logging, the projections painted a dire picture—fewer than 100 individuals in the population by 2031, with a mean population of a mere 58 birds, unless urgent and drastic conservation measures were implemented.
According to Sean Dooley, BirdLife Australia’s National Public Affairs Manager, while the Bird of the Year poll is a heartening showcase of people’s love for Australia’s birds, this year’s outcome highlights a deeper commitment to their protection.
“The real tragedy here – and it is tragic – is that swift parrots represent a glaring example of how our nature laws are failing us,” Dooley emphasized. “The situation couldn’t be more stark or obvious.”
He underscored that the clear and imminent threat to the swift parrot’s survival lies in the destruction of its forest home, particularly through native forest logging.
Dooley highlighted that while Australia has environmental laws in place to address the threats faced by species like the swift parrot, the exemptions granted to forestry operations under regional forest agreements hinder the protective measures. This exemption, he stressed, has led to a distressing scenario where “we are watching this bird go extinct,” despite the country grappling with a broader biodiversity crisis.
He emphasized that the swift parrot’s plight is among the worst examples of this crisis, as the solution lies within the nation’s grasp, yet action is not being taken. “In a field of abject despair, it’s the most distressing case of all because it’s within our powers to fix it and we refuse to,” Dooley lamented. He expressed hope that the government would heed the message from the people who genuinely care about the well-being of these beautiful birds.
Acknowledging the supporters of the tawny frogmouth, which secured second place for the third consecutive poll, Dooley reassured them, saying, “To all the tawny lovers, hang in there. It will have its day. They’re extraordinary birds. The fact they’re still common and can be seen in every city in Australia is something to celebrate.”
Reflecting on the impressive engagement in the poll, Dooley noted that people appeared more passionate than ever, with a total of 321,000 votes cast throughout the 2023 bird of the year poll, and 55,384 votes in the final round. He highlighted the positive shift in conversations about birds, extending beyond the commonly adored magpies and kookaburras, a change that wouldn’t have occurred a decade ago.
The discussion prompted by the competition, according to Dooley, delves into the serious consideration of what is needed to ensure the survival of many featured bird species.
Notably, four of the birds in this year’s Top 10 are threatened species. He underscored that habitat destruction and degradation are common denominators in the threats faced by each species, emphasizing the need for nature laws that squarely address this issue to give Australia’s birds a brighter future.