Aussie Finch Forum

Wire Biters?
Aggressive to Finches?
Destroy plants and such?

I found a Swift Parrot for sale for about $300
I really love Swift Parrots
How could they work in my mixed aviary?
And is feeding them really hard?

Anyone here keep em?

THanks!
~Nathan

I have a feeling you need a Class 2 Licence for a start. And interstate import/export might be a bit different to Class 1 birds

Havent kept them but have been researching for the future ;) .......much the same routine as for Lorikeets, ie dry mix/wet mix, fruit and aviaries which can be kept clean (eg suspendeds).....I'm practicing with Purple Crowns, Varieds and Littles.

Fincho has stated in other posts his experience with them going back a while......they were a big challenge back then, but Fincho and others cracked the code. Every Swift keeper I have spoken to reckons they're no drama, but I havent specifically spoken about keeping them with finches, probably best not, they're a bit big. I keep Purple crowned lorikeets with Blue Face Parroties with no drama.....I know Littles are quite compatible with finches too, Figgies are cool with small birds, but I probably wouldnt do it with anything bigger (eg Varieds, Musks, Swifts etc).........TIP - Wet poohers can make the aviary quite messy, so you need to have gravel/coarse sand floors so you can rake it over regularly.

Now someone elso who has actually kept them can have a go......

Class 2 Licence

I guess I'll try again in 5 years... when I can get a class 2 licence...

I would love Purple-crowned! Are they as aggressive as the other Lorikeets?

I recall reading an article in ABK written by a guy who bred Swifts in a mixed collection of finches. I'll see if I can find the issue back when I get home tonight if you like...
My experience with Purple Crowneds is fairly limited but they seem pretty easy going and are generally considered suited to a mixed collection.

Are there many people breeding the purple crowns / varied or even littlies ? Im curious as to them as well.

we have a pair of swifties at work... beautiful birds.... yeah they're pretty much almost extinct from what I know so I'd say they're gonna stay license-requiring. on the upside I don't think they'd be any more aggro to finches than neophemas but be careful....
purple crowned lorikeets are my favourite parrot after lineolated parakeets they are good with finches but they are squirters so I can't afford their upkeep

I know of a breeder who has Swifts in with smaller softbills, wrens, honeyeaters ect.

As for Deb, there's 1 or 2 of use with em ;)

Very interesting VR1 ;) now to work on other half , he has gone on strike in the aviary building dept however ....................

Not for long deb... just get a pair of superbs in their prime, and tell him they would have been put down otherwise....

Buy first cage latter, he's got no choice then