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further musing on the occurrence of Rainbow
Lorikeets in Canberra...
I would have expected that the natural incidence
of Rainbow Lorikeets in the Canberra region would be at about the same level as
the natural incidence of Musk Lorikeets. As Canberra is marginal to the main
(coastal) distribution of both species, birds occurring here naturally would
likely be birds moving about (ie west, as Tonya inferred) due to either
local/regional seasonal flowering or population pressure movements. These birds
are likely, for the most part, to occur in small numbers and stay for only brief
periods of time.
Musk Lorikeets are quite
scarce in Canberra, so to my mind, the most likely explanation for the
recent establishment of the small local population of Rainbow
Lorikeets is that it evolved from a small nucleus of non-naturally occurring
birds, either released (eg Tidbinbilla releases) or aviary escaped birds, or
both, which with the assistance of artificial feeding managed to survive
Canberra winters. From there the population is slowly increasing, and slowly
spreading, perhaps with the occasional incorporation of further escaped birds
and possibly wild nomadic birds originating from outside the
region.
If this is the case I would anticipate the
population would continue to grow, albeit slowly. Increased availability of food
from cultivated year-round flowering garden plants and artificial feeding, and
the impacts of climate change, would assist this
growth.
Harvey
Harvey Perkins
CRC Selection Rounds
Section
_______________________________________
Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and
Research
Hi Tonya,
I have been recording Rainbow Lorikeets on my
Garden Bird Survey chart in Aranda for several years now. The maximum
number I have seen in the area (outside my GBS site is 7). I often hear or
see them on the Aranda Ridge between Walu St and the Aranda Bushland reserve at
the top of the hill. I think they are naturally occurring wild
birds.
There is another pair on The Pinnacle behind the
houses from Hawker.
I was over in Yass a few months ago and heard some
RBLs there. I didn't have bins with me but saw 5. It is very unlikely these are
all escapees
Cheers
Peter
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