A $2.5 million breeding facility for the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot was on Wednesday officially opened at Seven Mile Beach outside Hobart.

It will host up to 48 breeding pairs - double the old complex's capacity - in a boost for the species' long-term chances of survival.

"These facilities provide a relatively even climate, an environment of very few distractions, like loud noises and sudden movements," state government conservation manager Andrew Crane said.

"It also has the capacity to provide fresh food to the birds, which is critical to breeding success."

The budgie-sized bird migrates across Bass Strait annually, spending winter in Victoria and South Australia before flying to Tasmania's southwest wilderness in summer to breed.

Only 20 parrots returned to the Apple Isle this breeding season, but that was up from 19 the year prior.

Their population has fallen due to habitat loss, climate change and dwindling feeding grounds.

The new facility, which replaced the previous one at Taroona, will increase the captive population with the aim of releasing more birds into the wild.

Specialist keeper Darren Page said birds would soon be put through quarantining and disease screening for a spring release at Melaleuca.

The most-recent release, in February, was of 12 captive-bred juveniles.

Conservationists won't get an update on how the wild population is faring until the birds return from the mainland later in the year.

Mr Page said the birds behaved like a typical parrot and generally sit together once they find a mate.

"They start hanging out together, sitting on the same perch," he said.

"There will be courtship feeding - that's an important step in breeding because the female will sit on the nest and the male will feed the female."

The captive breeding program last year yielded 81 fledglings, a number expected to push past 100 in the new complex.

"This facility is light-years ahead of the previous facility," Environment Minister Peter Gutwein said, adding it has averies for breeding, holding and quarantine, plus a vet facility and kitchen for food preparation.

"We've got a chance to provide this species a strong chance of surviving into the future."

Australian Associated Press