Is a regular occurrence, at least at my place in recent years, though none this year. From The GBS Report: Recent ABR shows breeding i.e. DY records have increased
substantially in the years since then.
Australian King-Parrot
Alisterus scapularis
The largest of the brightly coloured local parrots, it is common in the ranges to the west of Canberra. Large
numbers could be observed flying to and from the Stromlo forest roost sites (these are now burned down).
This species has a very obvious seasonal pattern with a low in numbers in December, rising dramatically to a
Canberra Birds: The first 21 years of COG’s GBS Page 59
high in June, then declining. The fact that June abundance is higher than that of July (eleven months earlier),
is most likely due to the steady population increase of the species. Its numbers have increased dramatically,
with a greater than ten-fold increase from Year 1 to 21, in a very smooth progression. The amplitude of the
monthly pattern appears to have increased basically in proportion to the overall increase in numbers. It is
hard to suggest why the increase in this species was so dramatic. There is little room for observer bias or
over or under recording it. Maybe more people are providing food for parrots over this period. Average group
size (3 to 5) has stayed similar over the years. In Year 1 it was only recorded on only 42 weeks, every year
since it has been recorded on 52 weeks, except one year of 51. In early years most records were from inner
suburban suburbs only. Since then, it has been recorded at increasing proportion of sites and more outer
suburban locations. It still shows a preference for the inner suburbs and is not often recorded from the outer,
newer sites that have little vegetation.
Breeding records have increased (none in Years 1, 3, 4, 7, ten in Years 17, 19, 20 & 21). The species
probably breeds in forest, there are no GBS nest records. All breeding records are of dependent young and
the time span is narrow. First few observations are in mid October with the great majority in January and
February, with the last isolated one in mid April.
Graphs on page: 94, Rank: 24, Breeding Rank: 16, Breeding graph on page: 106, A = 1.38662, F = 73.82%,
W = 51.5, R = 34.967%, G = 3.97.
From: calyptorhynchus . [
Sent: Friday, 21 February, 2020 8:25 PM
To: Canberra Birds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Juvenile King Parrots
There were two juvenile KPs in our yard in Hughes this afternoon around 4.30pm. They were begging and being fed. I haven’t ever seen juvenile KPs in the suburbs before.
--
John Leonard
Canberra
Australia
www.jleonard.net
‘There is kinship between people and all animals. Such is the Law.’ Kimberley lawmen (from Yorro Yorro)
