Lorikeets and flowering trees
Australia has many colourful parrots, cockatoos and lorikeets. We frequently have small flocks on Rainbow Lorikeets and Purple-crowned Lorikeets screaming overhead and speed, their screeching can be heard for hundreds of metres.
From time to time they will land in one of our trees and feed awhile. They are notoriously hard to photograph. Their habit of often feeding in the outer foliage makes it a challenge. Despite that I have managed a few good shots over recent years.
Musk Lorikeet
Ricki Coughlan has written about three kinds of lorikeets in her part of the world. Her article Lorikeet Explosion has some excellent photos of lorikeets (including one of mine used with permission). She also discusses the feeding habits and preferences of lorikeets.
It’s Parrot Central at work right now. Huge mixed flocks of long-billed corellas and galahs ripping up the carpet of weeds that passes for a lawn. Musk lorikeets descending on each little flower the moment it makes an appearance.It’s like the Boxing Day sales.
We’ve more lorikeets (Purple-crowned and Rainbow) at home than is normal over recent weeks. Must be the flowering mallee. I’m presently in Clare visiting my daughter – heaps of Musks around here too.
[…] Lorikeets and flowering trees […]
[…] Lorikeets and flowering trees […]
Hi, we live in Beaumaris (Melbourne) and planted a Virgilia Capensis 16 years ago as a tiny tube plant and it grew very fast to about 7 metres. When it flowered with purple pea like flowers flocks of rainbow lorikeets flew in every evening about 5pm and stayed to eat for about 30 mins. We rarely see them otherwise.
Unfortunately the tree died suddenly a few months ago and we are looking for a fast growing replacement as this tree seems to be no longer available. Does anyone know if the Sapphire Dragon tree (fast growing and similar flowers) will attract lorikeets?
Hi there Loraine,
Sorry that I didn’t respond to your question at the time – I was busy completing my degree.
I am not at all familiar with the Sapphire Dragon tree so I can’t help you. My wife has quite a deal of knowledge about Australian plants and has heard of this tree, but doesn’t know either.
Is it worth calling the botanic gardens for advice – or ringing around some nurseries who sell this plant?