Which Australian parrot migrates between Tasmania and mainland Australia and is critically endangered?

The orange-bellied parrot is a critically endangered Australian parrot that migrates between Tasmania and mainland Australia.

It breeds in southwestern Tasmania during the warmer months and crosses Bass Strait to spend winter along the coast of southeastern mainland Australia. This makes it one of the few migratory parrots in the world and exposes the species to threats across two regions.

The parrot’s name comes from the vivid orange patch on its lower belly. Habitat loss, predation, disease, small population size and severe weather during migration have all contributed to its decline. Conservation programs use captive breeding, release trials and monitoring of wild birds.

It is often confused with the swift parrot, another endangered species that crosses Bass Strait. The two parrots differ in appearance, breeding habitat and diet, although both depend on habitats threatened by land clearing and forestry.