Scaly-breasted Lorikeet
Rainbow Lorikeet
Musk Lorikeet
Eastern Rosella
Flowering trees brought out the nectar and pollen feeders, and the banksias and eucalypts were filled with colour and noise.
Lorikeets are brightly coloured parrots of the family. Six species are found in Australia. They travel in small, swift flocks which attract attention with their piercing calls. The birds locate the blossom by sight and by the calls of other birds already feeding. When food is abundant, large numbers gather in the blossoms and foliage, clamouring noisily.
They are attracted to home feeders however well meant treats based on sugar, honey or jam are leading to the birds’ early deaths from necrotizing enteritis, a disease associated with an inadequate diet, and psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) which is spread through poor hygiene at feeders.
The only feeding method recommended by the National Parks and Wildlife Service is to plant a variety of flowering native shrubs, such as grevilleas, callistemon (bottlebrushes) and banksias, in the garden.
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