Rainbow Lorikeets in Sydney
Rainbow Lorikeets in Sydney
They are the prettiest birds in the world, the Rainbow Lorikeets. They used to visit or balcony regularly so in the winter of 2008 I took these photos of them. They didn’t mind posing for the camera at all.
Looking back at the photos, I’ve noticed how incredibly noisy they are. Hopefully I’ll get another chance at photographing them again to get some better shots. It’s hard not to like the Rainbow Lorikeets, the colours are stunning!
A little more info from wikipedia:
Rainbow Lorikeets often travel together in pairs and occasionally respond to calls to fly as a flock, then disperse again into pairs. Rainbow Lorikeet pairs defend their feeding and nesting areas aggressively against other Rainbow Lorikeets and other bird species.
The Rainbow Lorikeet is a medium sized parrot, with the length ranging from 25–30 cm (9.8-11.8 in) in size, and has a wingspan of about 17 cm (6.7 in). The weight varies from 75–157 g (2.6–5.5 oz). The plumage of the nominate race, as with all subspecies, is very bright. The head is deep blue with a greenish-yellow nuchal collar, and the rest of the upperparts (wings, back and tail) are deep green. The chest is red with blue-black barring. The belly is deep green, and the thighs and rump are yellow with deep green barring. In flight a yellow wing-bar contrasts clearly with the red underwing coverts. There is little to visually distinguish between the sexes. Juveniles have a black beak which gradually brightens to orange in the adults.
Up until the late 2000′s, i must admit i never saw Rainbow Lorikeets in the Heart of Sydney, now they seem to be everywhere. We have entire flock that started visiting my place around 2008, and left for winter. However, 2011 winter the majority of them have remained (maybe they are just to lazy now to fly north for the winter lol)
They are Very noisy, and very curious birds. I’d have to say they have the intelligence of at least a young child.
I’ve also noticed, the hated sparrow and Starlings are gone! from my area in Sydney. The Indian Minor’s are still around though. And another native bird has moved in, the Noisy Minor, cool little birds, and they are not 1/4 as noisy as their names suggests, lorikeets are more noisy.
Nice photo’s.