Among the discussions of Rainbow Lorikeets roosting on busy streets, I
thought I'd put in my once cent's worth, (just so we don't all forget
Acrobates pygmaeus). I was at Goondiwindi, which is 320km inland in southern
Queensland on 19-3-1997. Being a fair distance from the coast, where such
things are expected, I was quite surprised to see enormous numbers of
Rainbow Lorikeets congregating to roost at dusk in the palms in the middle
of the main street. I got out my video camera to film them for a while and
was rewarded by just capturing on video a Channel-billed Cuckoo as it also
happened to fly over.
-----Original Message-----
From: David James <>
To: @globalserve.net <@globalserve.net>;
<>
Date: Monday, 17 August 1998 18:00
Subject: Re: Lorikeets at McDonalds
>Doug,
>
>Rainbow Lorikeets along the coast of Queensland habitually roost
>gregariously in the centre of towns and cities. Evidently they like the
>twilight conditions created by all the lights and are oblivious to the
>noise and traffic etc. Lorikeets were in the Townsville Mall long before
>the smelly hamburger peddlars rudely barged in, the Council removed trees
>to try and discourage the lorikeets, and the litter levels increased for
>the Commensal Pigeons, Commensal Sparrows and Commensal Mynas to pick over.
> Fortuantley the lorikeets are tollerant and seem determined to stay.
>
>At 23:27 15/08/98 -0400, doug durno wrote:
>> Alexandra Appleman is concerned about the removal of the rainbow lorikeet
>>roost and its replacement with palms at the Flinders Mall McDonalds in
>>Townsville. No worries, Alex. One night about 9 PM I ate there and the
>>lorikeets were chattering the night away. At one point they decided to do
a
>>fly-round. Hundreds of lorikeets emerged into the still night air in wave
>>after wave providing those on the mall with an impressive sight. It might
>>be interesting to know how such a suitable habitat was provided for these
>>birds. Luck? Consultations with experts? Is McDonalds responsible?
>>
>>Doug Durno
>>Toronto, Canada
>>
>>
>>
>David James
>PO BOX 5225
>Townsville Mail Centre 4810
>
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