‘Terrence’ the Swift Parrot is back in the wild after a lucky escape from a window smash.
The critically endangered bird was found dazed and confused on a person’s windowsill by a member of the public earlier in the month.
He was taken to the Bonorong Wildlife Hospital for a check-up, where it was discovered that he had suffered a “nasty concussion” but no fractures.
“After a little over a week in care, Terrence had improved greatly and the team was confident he was ready for release back to the wild,” Bonorong said.
“The kind people who originally rescued him joined our rescuer at a nearby release site and watched as he was reunited with his flock!”
Swift parrots are one of only three migratory parrot species in the world and are classified as critically endangered.
They undertake a perilous annual migration across the Bass Strait from their breeding grounds in Tasmania to New South Wales and Victoria, where they spend the winter.
Bonorong said while the migration is risky, “most of the threats that are driving them towards extinction” are found in Tasmania.
“They are primarily under threat from severe habitat loss caused by deforestation in their Tasmanian breeding grounds,” the organisation said.
“Our team are always honoured to be able to rescue and rehabilitate one of these special birds and return them back to the wild where they belong.”
Researchers at the Australian National University estimate that the remaining swift parrot population is now about 500.
