>Whilst wandering through the South parklands in Adelaide yesterday, I
>noticed a couple of Galahs having a wonderful time eating the olives that
>had fallen on the ground. What drew my attention to them was their shiny
>black beaks!
>Seems like we humans are not the only Australian's coming around to olive
>eating.
Part of the reason why a an olive plantation in WA has done poorly in past
years has been due to raids by Port Lincoln parrots. Oil-rich olives are
high in energy and are probably equivalent to McDonalds Hamburgers to the
birds. Most parrots (like humans?) seem to have an innate desire to seek
food-stuffs rich in oils. Captive arid-zone parrots invariably prefer
sunflower seeds to other food and hence often become obese and suffer from
lipomas, atherosclerosis, arthritis, fatty livers etc.
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Dr Shane Raidal BVSc PhD MACVSc (Avian Health)
Lecturer in Veterinary Pathology
School of Veterinary Studies
Murdoch University phone: +61 9360 2418
Perth,WA, 6150 fax: +61 9310 4144
Australia email:
http://numbat.murdoch.edu.au/vetbiol/images/srraidal.htm
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