Over many years I have been fascinated that Rainbow Lorikeets choose to night
roost in large numbers in a number of eucalypts on one of Brisbanes busiest
intersections. The intersection is on Mains Road at Sunnybank and is surrounded
by three shopping centres. Each night on my way home I enjoy seeing the
hundreds of birds coming in to roost as thousands of cars and people pass just
below them, but have often wondered why they might have chosen such a busy
spot.
Today I was listening to Rick Netrask ( a local wildlife expert) on ABC radio
and a caller asked the very same question. I was intrigued to hear his
response. He firstly said that in Brisbane Lorikeets choose locations right
next to at least three large shopping complexes (and probably more) in the
Brisbane area - Chermside, Goodna and Sunnybank. Part of his explanation was
that the birds actually choose brightly lit areas as they actually assist the
birds in their navigation to the sites, providing a well lit landmark from afar
as they return from their daily wanderings.
This seemed plausible to me at some level, and perhaps is another example as to
how some birds have adapted their habits to suit the result of human
habitation? Having said that I figured that for eons prior to city lights
Lorikeets would have communally roosted and had no such benchmarks to guide
them.
Its an interesting theory though, and perhaps others have a comment on the
idea, or any other reason why they appear to favour such well lit and busy
areas in the city.
regards
David Taylor
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