Re: Scaly Breasted Lorikeets in Melbourne

[Brian Fleming <>]

Nigel Sterpin wrote:
> 
> Does anyone know the commonality of these birds in Melbourne...I
> thought
> they didn't exist until I saw two feeding with Rainbow's today?
> email: 
Any Scaly-breasted Lorikeets in Melbourne area are supposed to be of
escapee origin.  There used to be a resident population of them breeding
in Yallambie area near Plenty River, Rosanna, for some years, early 80s
from memory.  I suppose it's possible that  a few might get caught up in
Musk Lorikeet movements and come south with them.  Incidentally I find
that inexpert and absolute beginner birdwatchers often misidentify Musk
keets as Scaly-breasted. I have often been taken to see the 'beautiful
Scalybreasteds at our feeder,' only to find Musks.  However I don't
dis-believe your record.  All sorts of things are flying about. There
used to be quite a few Ringnecks (Mallee and Pt.Lincoln) around the
Banyule-Yallambie area too.ANTHEA FLEMING