Rainbow Lorikeet breeding

[Philip Veerman <>]

We don’t actually know that they have come from the coast. We don’t know much about it.

 

I explored some of the issues 30 (!) years ago in: (1991) ‘The changing status of the Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus in South-east Australia: the role of wild and escaped birds’, Australian Bird Watcher 14: 3–9. The trends I described then, have continued and increased.

 

Philip

 

 

From: Canberrabirds [ On Behalf Of Dr David Rosalky
Sent: Friday, 20 August, 2021 3:18 PM
To: 'Maryanne Gates'
Cc: 'COG bird list'
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Rainbow Lorikeet breeding

 

They’re so gorgeous.  Well done Maryanne.

But perhaps you should parcel them up and post them back to the coast!

 

From: Maryanne Gates <>
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2021 3:01 PM
To: Dr David Rosalky <>
Cc: COG bird list <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Rainbow Lorikeet breeding

 

Between Wildcare Queanbeyan and ACT Wildlife we have had 7 juvenile rainbow lorikeets come into care this winter, most of them had just fledged and one apparently came out of a hollow.  Two came from the ACT, two from Queanbeyan and three from Jerrabomberra.  Four are still with me and ready for release as soon as spring arrives.

 

Maryanne

Wildcare Queanbeyan

 

On Fri, 20 Aug 2021 at 10:06, Dr David Rosalky <> wrote:

I have seen RLs breeding at Newline Quarry during the blitz.

This season, I have had regular – almost daily – visits from at least a pair of RLs feeding on a flowering Banksia in my front garden.

 

Yesterday I saw a pair on top of an Atlantic Cedar next door.  One (I presume the male)  was bobbing and fluttering wings.  (At that point I couldn’t see the female but assumed that she was around.)

The male approached the female, now visible.  Initially, she hopped onto a nearby branch.  The male followed and kept approaching her.  There was some contact of heads and necks.  Then he mounted her, upon her back for a while but then positioned himself properly, tails entwined and he thrusted several times and then dismounted.  There were no theatrics and no screeching or calling of any kind that I could hear.

 

So, local suburban breeding.  I cannot see where they may be nesting.  A Eucalypt near my house with a good hollow is occupied by nesting Galahs.  I will continue to explore the neighbourhood for the RLs’ nest.

 

David

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