Rosella progress and photos

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Quite true:

 

The intro paragraph of the GBS Report (2006 edition) says (extract follows):

 

"PARROTS

Parrots comprise a major and increasing part of Canberra?s avifauna. The species that are almost constantly around most suburbs are the Galah, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Crimson Rosella and Eastern Rosella and in the cooler months in some suburbs the Gang-gang Cockatoo and Australian King-Parrot. All are seed-eaters, though the lorikeets are mainly nectar-feeders. Many will be attracted to the fruit of foreign trees such as apples, plums, etc. and many will readily come to seed provided for them. This supplementary feeding may be a major factor in the increase in the population of several species. Most resident species have average group size in the 2 to 10 range, as parrots generally are fairly sociable. As well as several naturally occurring common species, there are native species that are locally rare or out of their typical range. Also many exotic or native species of escaped or released pet birds or their progeny, are observed. It is common for escaped native parrots to associate with similar sized common native species and they may survive for extended periods. Lesser recorded parrots include: Major Mitchell?s Cockatoo Cacatua leadbeateri Rank: 166; Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus Rank: 183; Musk Lorikeet Glossopsitta concinna Rank: 162; Purple-crowned Lorikeet G. porphyrocephala Rank: 219; Regent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplus Rank: 192; Princess Parrot P. alexandrae Rank 201; Yellow Rosella Platycercus elegans flaveolus Rank: 179; Mallee Ringneck Barnardius barnardi Rank: 188; Port Lincoln Ringneck B. zonarius Rank: 138; Red-capped Parrot Purpureicephalus spurius Rank: 196; Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor Rank: 184; Turquoise Parrot Neophema pulchella Rank: 202; Fischer?s Lovebird Agapornis fischeri Rank: 208; Peachface Lovebird A. roseicollis Rank: 116; Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Rank: 164. As well as these, there are several records of hybrids of the Eastern and Crimson Rosella but these are not monitored separately in the GBS. Note that the Yellow Rosella is counted as separate from the conspecific Crimson Rosella, because the presence of that sub-species is entirely separate from the naturally occurring Crimson Rosella."

Then follows species texts on 16 parrot species for which there are sufficient data in the GBS to include comment. We are a lucky lot.

 

Philip