Why are blue gums important?
Prior to summer, swift parrots return to Tasmania to breed in old hollow trees. The birds mainly feed on the nectar of blue gum flowers (Eucalyptus globulus). Their breeding range is restricted to the areas in Tasmania where blue gums occur, which is on Tasmania’s east coast. Unfortunately blue gums have been cleared for agriculture and are continuing to be cleared. Also timber harvesting removes old trees so that the age of our blue gum forests is lowered. Old trees produce more flowers and nectar for the swift parrots and other nectar-feeding animals. Loss of old trees means there is less food for the swift parrots to eat during the breeding season and is the major reason for the swift parrot’s decline. Old trees also provide nesting hollows essential for the breeding success of the swift parrot.
