Some thoughts on Irene's comment - this is not directed at Irene
herself!
On Birdline I always quote parrots in Sydney that are out of their
"natural" range as being feral (or more precisely - "of feral origin"
- because they may be second/third etc generation feral rather than
being escapees themselves). I used to ignore such reports as I hate
feral birds but so many people seem to enjoy phoning in sitings of
ferals.
I would not agree that I get any more reports than when Birdline
started 2 years ago. Just about every Australian parrot species has
been phoned in over the last two years. There have always been
populations of these feral parrots in Sydney. They wax and wane
because they are not self-supporting populations. They are not in
their natural range and should not be regarded as such. They are
pests on par with Starlings - competing for nesting hollows and food
with Sydney's natural parrots.
Sure they should be recorded in annual reports and field guides - so
long as no-one ever gets the impression that they are occurring here
of their own free will. At some stage in their lineage they
escaped/were released.
Chris Gladwin
PS And as for anyone putting them on their "life list" based on a
Sydney specimen!!
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