rainbow lorikeets.

["Shaun Bagley" <>]

I was in Perth in February when a Rainbow Lorikeet control program was being
proposed in the metropolitan area.

They are now ubiquitous, from what was a very small beginning at the
University of WA where half a dozen first became evident in 1969 on campus.
In those days the most common parrot was the 28 (Ringneck) Parrot which I
saw a few of but nowhere near the numbers I used to see around King's Park
and the Cottesloe area where I lived. Interestingly the Purple-Crowned
Lorikeet which I would have expected to see at that time was nowhere to be
seen, or more likely, heard (as kids we called them zit parrots after their
call). Given that they would be direct competitors for nectar, as opposed to
nest holes for most other birds, I wonder if they have not suffered most
from this introduction.

I will be back in Perth in October so will be interested to see what, if
any, action has been taken. And am also interested in knowing where the
White-winged Wrens are, given that I had to go far into the bush to see them
in days of yore.

Cheers

Shaun