Red-winged Parrot (Aprosmictus erythropterus)

Conservation status

South Australia, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Rare. This listing covers only Aprosmictus erythropterus erythropterus.

Breeding season

Red-winged Parrots breed once each year from July to January. Local timing and movements can vary with food and water availability, as the species is partly nomadic.

Breeding mode: Egg laying in tree hollows.

Breeding frequency: Once each year.

Breeding season: July to January.

Nest site: A hollow in a tall tree, often near the ground, usually close to water; the entrance is high in the tree.

Clutch size: Not recorded.

Incubation: Only the female incubates; incubation duration is not recorded.

Fledging and maturity: Fledging period and age at maturity are not recorded.

Timing may shift between regions and years, so survey woodland, wooded watercourses and nearby trees with suitable hollows before clearing, retain hollow trees where practicable, avoid disturbance to active nests from July to January, and apply relevant state controls, including Rare listings in South Australia and Tasmania, Priority 4 guidance in Western Australia, and Queensland breeding place requirements where applicable.

• Breeding and nesting: Breeding and nesting are recorded from July to January, with no documented monthly peak.
• Use of tree hollows near water: Suitable hollows in tall trees near water may be occupied during the breeding season.
• Canopy feeding and daytime activity: Birds forage and shelter in trees throughout the year, especially in the canopy and outer branches of flowering trees and shrubs.
• Local movement in response to food and water: Movements may occur in any month and can increase during food or water shortages or drought.
• Highest clearing risk: Clearing is most likely to affect eggs, incubating females or dependent young during the July to January breeding period.

Identification: Appearance and size

The Red-winged Parrot is a stout, medium-sized parrot with a mainly green body and a prominent red shoulder patch. It is usually seen in pairs or flocks, often high in the canopy, and its metallic calls can give away birds that are difficult to see.

Adult males are bright lime green, with a black back, deep blue rump, red bill and eyes, and a green tail tipped yellow. Females are similar, but usually have a smaller wing patch, a darker green back and a paler rump.

The species is about 31 to 33 cm long. It can weigh up to 156 g.

Identification: Calls and flight

The flight is distinctive, with deep, full wing strokes and a light, airy quality. Birds often call while flying.

Listen for the sharp metallic call, described as “crillik, crillik”. Alarm calls may be a harsh, shrieking “chik-chik-chik”.

Identification: Similar species

The large red shoulder patches are a useful identification feature. The Red-winged Parrot is the only mainly green Australian parrot described as having such prominent red shoulder patches.

Check the whole colour pattern, particularly the red shoulder, blue rump and green tail, rather than relying on a brief view of a green bird in flight.

Identification: Field signs

Direct sightings and calls are the most useful field signs during clearing surveys. Birds may be detected in the canopy before they are seen.

Look for parrots moving between flowering trees, watercourses and nearby woodland. Tree hollows are potential breeding signs, but a hollow should not be treated as occupied without suitable observations or targeted inspection by an appropriately qualified person.

• Pairs or small flocks moving through the canopy
• Metallic calls from treetops or birds in flight
• Feeding activity in flowering trees and shrubs
• Birds flying to and from tall trees near water

Distribution: Australian range

The Red-winged Parrot is widespread in northern and eastern Australia, with additional populations outside Australia. Local movements can increase when food or water becomes scarce, so a quiet site may still be used intermittently.

The species is mapped in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. It is most associated with northern and eastern Australia, with records also extending through inland and western areas.

On a project site, check nearby woodland, watercourses, flowering trees and mature hollow-bearing trees, even where recent local records are sparse.

Distribution: Overseas range

The Red-winged Parrot also occurs in southern New Guinea and Irian Jaya.

Distribution: Movement across a site

The species can remain in one area when food and water are reliable. It may move more widely during drought, food shortages or seasonal changes in flowering and water availability.

Survey effort should therefore consider the wider habitat connection around a development footprint, not only the area scheduled for immediate clearing.

• Review recent records for the project area and surrounding landscape
• Check links between woodland, wooded drainage lines and flowering vegetation
• Allow for occasional use of a site by birds moving through the broader landscape

Distribution: Conservation status for approvals

The Red-winged Parrot is not nationally listed as endangered, vulnerable or near threatened in Australia and is generally considered least concern. It is nevertheless profiled as an EVNT species for project assessment because regional equivalent categories apply in some jurisdictions.

It is listed as Rare in South Australia and Tasmania, and as Priority 4 in Western Australia. Priority 4 is a non-statutory Western Australian category for rare and near threatened species that need monitoring. Confirm the current state listing and approval requirements before works begin.

• South Australia, Rare under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972
• Tasmania, Rare under the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995
• Western Australia, Priority 4, a non-statutory DBCA category

Habitat: Vegetation types

Look for the Red-winged Parrot wherever mature trees, canopy food resources and reliable water occur together. It spends most of the day in trees, but may descend to drink or collect fallen seed.

Typical habitat includes open forests, open dry woodlands, scrubland and arid scrub. The species also uses timber-lined watercourses and, sometimes, mangroves.

Retain connected stands of mature trees where possible, particularly where woodland adjoins drainage lines or other wooded watercourses.

• Open dry woodland
• Open forest and scrubland
• Arid scrub with scattered mature trees
• Mangroves and wooded waterways

Habitat: Site features to check

Prioritise mature trees near water, flowering trees and shrubs, and woodland edges that connect different habitat patches. These areas can provide feeding, drinking, nesting and movement opportunities.

Inspect both the development footprint and nearby retained vegetation that could be affected by noise, vibration, dust, lighting or changed access.

• Tall mature trees, including trees with hollows
• Timber-lined creeks, drainage lines and watercourses
• Flowering trees and shrubs
• Woodland links between feeding and nesting areas

Habitat: Survey considerations

The species is conspicuous when flying or calling, but canopy vegetation can make visual detection difficult. Use a combination of quiet observation, call detection and checks of suitable trees.

Because movements are partly nomadic, repeat observations across suitable conditions are more informative than relying on one brief visit.

• Survey during periods when birds are active and calling
• Scan the canopy and outer branches of flowering trees
• Watch flight paths between trees and water
• Record pairs, flocks, feeding birds and repeated use of particular trees

Foraging habitat: Food resources

Red-winged Parrots forage mainly in the canopy, especially on the outer branches of flowering trees and shrubs. Retained food trees can remain important even when the ground layer is disturbed.

The diet includes seeds, berries, fruit, flowers, nectar, pollen, blossoms, insects and larvae. Food availability is linked to local movements, especially when flowering trees and shrubs change across the landscape.

During inspections, identify flowering and fruiting trees within and beside the clearing area. Record whether birds are feeding, rather than only whether suitable vegetation is present.

• Flowering trees and shrubs
• Seed-bearing trees and ground below the canopy
• Fruiting and berry-producing vegetation
• Canopy foliage supporting insects and larvae

Foraging habitat: Foraging behaviour

Birds commonly feed in the canopy and on outer branches. They may occasionally come to the ground to drink or eat fallen seed.

Watch for birds climbing along branches, hanging from outer foliage, dropping to the ground below food trees, or moving between trees and nearby water.

Foraging habitat: Management during works

Retain mature flowering and fruiting trees where practicable, particularly where they form a continuous canopy or occur near water. Avoid unnecessary removal of adjacent trees that provide shelter and alternative feeding sites.

Schedule clearing checks close to the time of works because food resources and bird use can change. If active feeding concentrations are observed, consult the project ecologist before proceeding.

• Mark food trees and nearby habitat for retention where feasible
• Keep access tracks and machinery away from retained canopy
• Avoid removing all flowering or seed-producing trees from a local patch
• Recheck retained vegetation after major changes to the site

Breeding habitat: Nest trees and hollows

The Red-winged Parrot breeds once each year and nests in tree hollows. Suitable breeding trees are usually close to water, and the nest may be deep inside the trunk even when the entrance is high above the ground.

Nests are placed in hollows in the trunks of tall trees. The hollow entrance may be high in the tree, while the nest site can be a long way down inside the trunk. Some nest hollows are near the ground.

Give particular attention to mature hollow-bearing trees near creeks, drainage lines, dams or other reliable water.

• Tall mature trees with trunk hollows
• Hollow-bearing trees near water
• Trees with high entrances and substantial internal cavities
• Dead or partly dead trees that remain structurally suitable

Breeding habitat: Breeding period and behaviour

Breeding has been recorded from July to January. Only the female incubates, and she may leave the hollow to feed or be fed by the male.

The male may circle the female and lower his wings during courtship. Pairs may be seen near suitable nest trees during the breeding period.

• Watch for repeated flights to one tree
• Listen for calls from inside or near a hollow
• Look for a male feeding a female near a nest tree
• Treat a suspected nest tree as occupied until checked by a suitably qualified ecologist

Breeding habitat: Clearing and construction controls

Before clearing, map hollow-bearing trees and assess whether they can be retained. Avoid felling suitable trees during the July to January breeding period where practicable, particularly when birds are repeatedly using a hollow.

If a tree with a possible nest hollow must be removed, stop and obtain project-specific ecological advice. Do not block, fill, cut into or relocate a hollow without an approved method and the required permissions.

• Complete a pre-clearance inspection of all hollow-bearing trees
• Use a fauna spotter catcher during removal of suitable trees
• Stage clearing so retained habitat and escape routes remain available
• Recheck felled trees, hollows and surrounding vegetation for displaced birds

Sheltering habitat: Shelter and resting places

The Red-winged Parrot spends most of the day in trees and rests in shaded foliage. Specific communal roost sites are not well defined, so mature canopy and connected tree cover should be treated as potentially useful shelter.

Birds loaf in shade among foliage and climb about on outer branches. Suitable shelter may occur in mature woodland, watercourse vegetation, mangroves and trees retained around a clearing edge.

Protect individual trees as well as wider canopy links. A narrow strip of trees may be used as a movement or refuge route, especially where surrounding vegetation is being removed.

• Dense shaded canopy
• Mature trees along watercourses
• Woodland edges with connected crowns
• Mangrove and scrub vegetation where present

Sheltering habitat: Roosts and daily use

Communal roost sizes and specific roost locations are not established for this profile. Do not assume that a tree is unused because no nest hollow is present.

Early morning and late afternoon observations can help identify repeated use of particular trees, flight lines or retained vegetation, especially before noisy works begin.

• Record repeated arrival or departure from trees
• Map flight paths across the work area
• Check retained vegetation before dawn or near dusk where practical
• Avoid removing all cover around a known feeding or resting area

Sheltering habitat: Disturbance management

Limit unnecessary clearing, night lighting, loud noise and vehicle movement beside retained trees. Keep machinery beneath the canopy where possible and protect root zones from compaction and damage.

Where the species is recorded regularly, use a staged approach that leaves nearby shelter and water access available while works proceed.

• Maintain connected tree cover around the work footprint
• Use low-impact lighting near retained habitat
• Keep workers and machinery away from repeatedly used trees
• Pause works and seek ecological advice if birds are repeatedly flushed from a retained area

Threats: Tree and hollow loss

The main site risks are the loss of mature trees, removal of hollows, damage to watercourse vegetation and disturbance during breeding. Although the species is generally least concern, regional listings mean that project controls should reflect the jurisdiction and the scale of habitat disturbance.

Clearing mature trees can remove feeding, shelter and nesting habitat. Felling a hollow-bearing tree may destroy an active nest or displace birds into less suitable habitat.

Prioritise retention of mature trees, hollow-bearing trees and connected canopy. Mark no-go trees clearly before machinery enters the site.

• Avoid clearing hollow-bearing trees where practicable
• Retain groups of mature trees, not only isolated specimens
• Protect retained trees from accidental impact and canopy damage
• Inspect felled trees for birds and dependent young

Threats: Watercourse and habitat fragmentation

Removal of timber-lined watercourses, riparian trees or mangrove edges can reduce access to water, food and movement routes. Fragmentation may also increase the distance between feeding and nesting trees.

Keep wooded drainage lines and watercourse vegetation intact where possible. Use existing disturbed routes for access and avoid creating unnecessary breaks in canopy.

• Retain vegetation along watercourses
• Maintain links between woodland patches
• Control sediment, dust and runoff near feeding and drinking areas
• Rehabilitate disturbed edges with locally appropriate native vegetation

Threats: Breeding disturbance and fauna handling

Noise, vibration, tree removal and repeated activity near a nest can cause birds to abandon a hollow or expose young to harm. Breeding risk is highest from July to January.

Use pre-clearance checks, a fauna spotter catcher and staged clearing. Stop work if a nesting bird, dependent young or injured bird is found, and follow the approved fauna management procedure.

• Avoid removing suitable nest trees during July to January where practicable
• Do not plug, cut into or relocate a hollow without approval
• Provide safe escape routes during staged clearing
• Record and report all captures, injuries and nest observations

Threats: Listing and compliance response

The species is listed as Rare in South Australia and Tasmania, and as Priority 4 in Western Australia. These categories require more careful consideration of records, habitat loss and monitoring than would normally be expected for a species with no regional equivalent listing.

In Queensland, near threatened animals are protected wildlife, and tampering with a breeding place requires a species management program. Confirm whether the project area or relevant population is covered by a current Queensland listing before disturbing a suspected breeding place.

• Check the current state and territory conservation databases before works
• Obtain any required permits, approvals or species management programs
• Scale survey effort to the amount of habitat being cleared and the relevant regional listing
• Retain survey records, photographs, tree maps and mitigation outcomes for audit

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Red-winged Parrots are usually detected by sight and by their sharp, metallic calls in the canopy. They can be locally nomadic, so a single negative survey does not rule out use of a site, particularly where flowering trees, water or suitable hollows are present.

Map woodland, open dry woodland, timber-lined watercourses, arid scrub, mangroves and other wooded waterways. Identify flowering trees, mature trees with hollows, water sources and habitat connections.

Check records for the project area and surrounding landscape. Consider that the species is mapped across New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia, although its distribution and movements are not equally well documented in all regions.

Breeding period: July to January

Typical habitat: Open woodland, wooded waterways, arid scrub and sometimes mangroves

Nest site: A tree hollow, usually in a tall tree near water

• Review recent aerial imagery and vegetation mapping.
• Mark mature trees, hollow-bearing trees, watercourses, flowering vegetation and likely flight paths.
• Check relevant state threatened species databases and local records before finalising the survey design.

Survey methodology: 2. Visual and acoustic searches

Search from the ground and watch the canopy, outer branches and tree-lined watercourses. Look for pairs or flocks, the red shoulder patches, deep full wingbeats and birds moving between flowering trees and water.

Listen for the metallic call, often described as 'crillik, crillik', and the harsher alarm call. Stop regularly and allow time for calls and bird movement to be detected.

• Survey during daylight, with greatest attention to the cooler part of the morning and periods when birds are active.
• Use suitable weather with good visibility and limited wind or heavy rain.
• Survey from several viewpoints where vegetation or terrain blocks the canopy.
• Repeat searches where habitat is suitable, where records are nearby, or where the first visit occurs outside July to January.

Survey methodology: 3. Hollow and breeding-place inspection

Inspect mature trees for hollows and signs of use without disturbing the hollow. The entrance may be high in the tree, while the nest site may be well below the entrance and sometimes near the ground within the trunk.

Treat a hollow as potentially occupied if a bird enters, exits, carries nesting material or food, calls from within, or shows repeated association with the tree.

• Use binoculars or a camera from a safe ground position.
• Do not insert equipment into a hollow or climb a tree solely to confirm use unless this is authorised and safe.
• Record the tree location, species if known, dimensions where safe to obtain, hollow entrance height, entrance direction and nearby water.
• Record whether the tree is proposed for removal, pruning or retention.

Survey methodology: 4. Survey records

Record enough information for another ecologist to relocate the observation and understand how the site was used. Record negative results as well as detections.

• Record date, start and finish time, weather, observers, survey method and area covered.
• Record number of birds, sex where confidently identified, behaviour, direction of travel and whether birds were foraging, drinking, roosting or entering a hollow.
• Map all observations, hollow-bearing trees, likely roost trees, water sources and flowering food plants.
• Photograph habitat and trees where this can be done without disturbance.
• Document limitations such as poor visibility, wind, rain, access constraints or incomplete canopy views.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Confirm approvals and permits

Plan works to retain habitat and avoid occupied hollows wherever practicable. The species is listed as least concern nationally, but it is treated as an EVNT species in this project context, including state equivalents such as Rare in South Australia and Tasmania and Priority 4 in Western Australia.

Confirm the legal status that applies to the project location, the proposed action and the relevant population or subspecies. Obtain advice from the relevant state agency before clearing or disturbing a suspected breeding place.

The Red-winged Parrot is not listed under the EPBC Act. An EPBC referral for this species alone is therefore not generally expected, but the action may still require referral for other threatened species, ecological communities or protected matters.

National conservation status: Least concern

Queensland control: A species management program may be required where works tamper with a breeding place

South Australia and Tasmania: Listed as Rare, the near threatened equivalent in those states

Western Australia: Priority 4, a non statutory DBCA category for rare and near threatened species needing monitoring

• Check development, vegetation clearing and wildlife authorisations before work starts.
• In Queensland, confirm whether the animal is protected wildlife and whether tampering with a breeding place requires a species management program, or SMP.
• Obtain any required state permits for handling, relocation, temporary possession, rehabilitation or damage to habitat.
• Use the relevant approval conditions as the minimum site controls.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Avoid breeding and habitat impacts

Retain hollow-bearing trees, mature trees near water, flowering food plants and connected woodland wherever possible. Avoid removing a tree that contains an active nest or a tree that is being repeatedly used for breeding.

Breeding occurs once each year and is recorded from July to January. Schedule tree removal and high disturbance outside this period where practicable, while recognising that birds may use hollows outside the documented breeding period.

• Redesign the work area to retain occupied and suitable hollow-bearing trees.
• Keep machinery, spoil, storage areas and access tracks away from retained trees and watercourses.
• Avoid unnecessary pruning of canopy food trees and branches used for access to hollows.
• Do not rely on a seasonal shutdown alone to clear a tree. Complete a current pre-clearance assessment.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Set site controls

Set buffers around occupied trees and other sensitive habitat using the advice of the fauna ecologist, approval conditions and the risk of noise, vibration, falling limbs and machinery access. Use a larger exclusion area where the hollow is low, the nest cannot be fully assessed, or the tree may fail during works.

• Fence or flag retained trees and exclusion areas before machinery arrives.
• Mark no go zones on construction plans and in the field.
• Keep lighting directed away from retained canopy, watercourses and hollows.
• Control dust, noise, vibration and access near retained trees.
• Include stop work, reporting and wildlife handling procedures in the site environmental management plan.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Complete the pre-clearance survey

Have a suitably experienced ecologist or authorised fauna spotter catcher inspect the work area immediately before clearing. Search trees, canopy, ground cover, water points and likely flight paths.

Pay particular attention to trees with hollows and trees close to water. Allow time to observe whether birds enter or leave a hollow before declaring it unused.

• Complete the survey close enough to clearing for the findings to remain current.
• Use binoculars and acoustic observation, and inspect all accessible habitat from safe positions.
• Brief the clearing crew on the appearance, calls and behaviour of the species.
• Mark occupied trees and other exclusion areas clearly.
• Stop and reassess if a bird is detected after the survey or if site conditions change.

Before habitat disturbance: 5. Induct the work crew

Explain that the species may be high in the canopy and may be detected by call before it is seen. Make the spotter catcher or fauna ecologist's stop work direction binding on all operators.

• Show workers the species and its red shoulder patch using site induction material.
• Explain the location of exclusion zones and retained trees.
• Prohibit unauthorised handling, chasing, feeding or keeping of birds.
• Require all sightings, injured animals and suspected nests to be reported immediately.
• Confirm who will contact the project manager, wildlife authority, veterinarian and wildlife carer.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Clear in stages

Use a staged clearing sequence that gives birds a chance to leave and allows the fauna team to inspect each stage. Keep a qualified spotter catcher present for all high risk clearing and retain authority to stop work whenever an animal, nest or unexpected habitat feature is found.

Clear lower risk areas first and work progressively towards retained habitat. Where safe, remove non habitat vegetation before hollow-bearing trees so animals are less likely to be surrounded by machinery.

Use slow, controlled methods around mature trees, hollows and watercourses. Do not fell a hollow-bearing tree until it has been assessed and approved for removal.

• Maintain a clear escape route towards retained trees and natural habitat.
• Check the canopy, trunk, hollows, branches and ground before each tree is removed.
• Pause between stages to allow birds to move away and to allow a repeat inspection.
• Do not use smoke, loud noise, machinery or other methods to flush a bird from a hollow.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Apply stop work authority

The fauna spotter catcher must be able to stop work without delay. Work must stop if a Red-winged Parrot enters a tree proposed for removal, a suspected nest is found, a bird is injured, or the approved clearing conditions cannot be met.

• Stop machinery and make the area safe.
• Keep workers and vehicles clear of the tree or animal.
• Notify the project manager and fauna ecologist.
• Reassess the tree, exclusion area and approval conditions before work resumes.
• Record the reason for the stop and the decision that followed.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Respond to an active breeding place

Do not disturb, block, fill or remove an active hollow. Do not handle eggs or nestlings unless this is directed by an appropriately authorised wildlife professional and permitted under the relevant approval.

Retain the tree and establish a suitable exclusion area. If retention is not practicable, obtain regulator and ecologist advice before any further action.

• Watch from a safe distance to confirm repeated use without approaching the hollow.
• Do not cut branches, fell the tree, use a cherry picker at the entrance or operate machinery against the trunk.
• If a nestling falls, keep people and pets away and contact the authorised wildlife responder.
• Document the tree, evidence of use, actions taken and all approvals.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Handle and relocate animals safely

Only authorised and trained people may capture, handle, transport or temporarily hold a Red-winged Parrot. Avoid capture where the bird can leave safely without entering the work area.

Use species appropriate equipment and minimise handling time, noise, heat and visual stress. Release or transfer the bird only as directed by the wildlife authority, veterinarian or approved wildlife carer.

• Do not chase a healthy bird through the canopy or attempt unplanned capture.
• Keep any captured bird in a quiet, secure, suitably ventilated container.
• Do not offer food or water unless directed by a veterinarian or authorised carer.
• Record the capture location, condition, identification, handler, destination and release or transfer outcome.

During habitat disturbance: 5. Manage injury and incidents

Treat collision, crush, electrocution, entanglement, heat stress and suspected poisoning as wildlife incidents. Protect the animal from further harm and obtain professional assistance promptly.

• Stop the immediate source of harm and make the area safe.
• Contact the project fauna ecologist, wildlife authority, veterinarian or licensed wildlife carer.
• Do not release an injured bird or provide treatment outside your authority.
• Report any nest disturbance, tree damage, unauthorised handling or mortality under the project approval and incident procedure.
• Photograph the location and preserve relevant evidence where safe to do so.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Complete post clearance checks

Close out clearing with a documented inspection and follow up any animal, nest or habitat incident. Post clearance checks should confirm that retained trees and exclusion zones remain intact and that no birds have been trapped in the work area.

Inspect the cleared area, retained vegetation, tree bases, machinery routes and exclusion zones after each clearing stage and at the end of the clearing period.

Look for injured or displaced birds, fallen nest contents, damaged hollows, entanglement hazards and birds trapped behind fencing or in structures.

• Check retained trees for trunk, root and branch damage.
• Remove or make safe temporary hazards such as open pipes, pits, netting and unsecured containers.
• Record the date, observers, area checked, findings and corrective actions.
• Repeat checks after storms, major vibration or changes to the work area.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Track relocated or treated animals

Maintain a chain of records for every bird captured, treated, transferred or released. Follow the advice of the authorised carer or veterinarian about monitoring and release.

Do not move a bird to an arbitrary location. Release sites should provide suitable trees, cover, food and water and should be approved by the relevant authority where required.

• Record the animal's condition at each handover.
• Record the release or transfer location and date.
• Check that release does not place the bird near active machinery, domestic animals, roads or other immediate hazards.
• Report mortality, failed release or repeat capture to the project ecologist and relevant authority.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Report outcomes

Prepare a clearing completion report that can be audited against the approval conditions and site management plan. Include both detections and non detections, with survey limitations clearly described.

• Report all Red-winged Parrot observations, breeding places, injuries, mortalities and relocations.
• Map retained hollow-bearing trees, active or suspected nests and habitat removed or restored.
• Include photographs, permits, fauna spotter catcher details, dates, weather and clearing stages.
• Submit reports to the project manager, approval holder and relevant regulator where required.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Review incidents and controls

Review any stop work event, injury, mortality, nest disturbance or unexpected detection before the next clearing stage. Update the method if the original controls did not prevent the impact.

• Identify the immediate and underlying cause.
• Check whether the survey timing, observer coverage, buffers and crew induction were adequate.
• Amend exclusion zones, work sequencing or supervision where needed.
• Brief all crews on the revised controls before work resumes.
• Keep an incident register through the life of the project.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore habitat structure

Restore habitat that supports canopy feeding, movement and breeding near water. Because local movements can respond to food and water availability, rehabilitation should provide connected vegetation and reliable habitat rather than isolated plantings alone.

Retain and regenerate mature woodland, timber-lined waterways, flowering trees and shrubs, and natural ground cover. Use locally appropriate native species that provide seeds, fruit, flowers or nectar.

Protect retained trees during earthworks and establish future hollow-bearing trees where mature trees have been removed.

• Reconnect cleared patches with native vegetation where this is consistent with the landscape plan.
• Protect riparian vegetation and water quality.
• Stage planting so that canopy, midstorey and ground layers develop over time.
• Control grazing, browsing, fire, erosion and vehicle access where these threaten regeneration.
• Use weed control methods that do not harm feeding birds or retained trees.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Provide suitable breeding structures

The species nests in tree hollows, often in tall trees near water. Retain natural hollows as the first option. Nest boxes or artificial nest sites may be considered where natural hollows have been lost and a qualified ecologist confirms that the design, placement and maintenance suit the species and the site.

• Use nest boxes only where they are permitted by the approval and supported by a site specific design.
• Place artificial nest structures in suitable trees or structures near retained habitat and water, with safe access for inspection.
• Do not install bat boxes as a substitute for parrot nest boxes. Bat roost structures serve different animals and requirements.
• Do not seal, remove or inspect a box during likely breeding use without ecological advice.
• Record installation location, design, height, orientation, inspection dates and evidence of use.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Manage water, weeds and lighting

Maintain clean, accessible water sources and vegetation along waterways. Avoid creating hazards that attract birds into construction areas or expose them to poor water quality, traffic or domestic animals.

• Prevent sediment, chemicals and contaminated runoff from entering watercourses or drinking sites.
• Control invasive weeds while retaining flowering and fruiting native plants.
• Direct lights away from canopy, watercourses and nest structures.
• Use the lowest practical light intensity and duration near retained habitat.
• Remove temporary lighting and fencing when they are no longer needed.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Monitor restored habitat

Monitor whether restored areas are developing into usable woodland and whether Red-winged Parrots return to forage, drink or breed. Monitoring effort should reflect the project's risk, approval conditions and the scale of habitat loss.

• Inspect plant survival, weed cover, hollow trees, nest structures and water condition.
• Use repeat visual and acoustic searches during daylight, including the July to January breeding period where breeding habitat has been affected.
• Record birds using restored areas, including behaviour and any use of nest structures.
• Replace failed plants and repair damaged nest structures or exclusion fencing.
• Continue monitoring long enough to identify whether management actions are working, rather than relying only on completion photos.

Rehabilitation actions: 5. Maintain long term controls

Assign responsibility for retained trees, nest structures, weeds, water quality and monitoring after construction. Keep management actions linked to the project's approval and environmental management plan.

• Inspect retained hollow-bearing trees after storms and major construction activity.
• Maintain habitat connections and prevent future unauthorised clearing.
• Review monitoring results with the project ecologist and adjust planting, weed control or nest structure management.
• Keep all fauna records, maps, photographs and maintenance actions in the project environmental register.

Sources

• Red-winged Parrot, BirdLife Australia: https://birdlife.org.au/bird-profiles/red-winged-parrot/
• Aprosmictus erythropterus, Red-winged Parrot, Museums Victoria: https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/species/17501
• Red-winged Parrot - The Australian Museum, Australian Museum: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/red-winged-parrot-aprosmictus-erythropterus/
• Occurrence records for the distribution map, Atlas of Living Australia: https://biocache.ala.org.au/