Hi Daniel and all
Scalys are breeding residents at Ricketts Point, Beaumaris with the highest
count being 9: I reckon your count of 15 was very high for Melbourne.
They have bred for at least 27 years with records of one paired with a Little
Lorikeet in 1976. Subsequently there has been lots of hybridization with
Rainbow Lorikeets.
I've seen Scalys recently around Frankston and have been told they are recent
arrivals. However the only Victorian location for the species in Roy Wheeler's
'The Birds of Victoria and Where to Find Them' (1979) was the Mornington
Peninsula (where they were described as 'accidental').
Some people have said there are occasional sightings in eastern Vic. and argued
that it is possible the Melbourne birds are not a result of formerly captive
birds. Don't know how you could refute that but there are plenty in cages !
Michael Norris
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
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