DOC's Fact Sheet.htm

DOC Fact Sheet February 1999	The Rainbow Lorikeet
*What is it?*	Native to some parts of Australia. A brightly coloured gregarious parrot which feeds primarily on pollen, nectar and fruits, but will feed on grains. Almost always seen in pairs or in flocks which can contain up to a thousand birds. Like most parrots they nest in hollow limbs or trunks of dead or living trees. They are prolific, with pairs known to rear as many as three successive broods in a single season thus enabling the population to increase rapidly. The birds have blue heads which distinguishes them from the more common rosella.
*How do they get established?*	In Perth, Western Australia six or seven birds were released in 1968. By the 1980's their range and numbers had expanded significantly and they had become a nuisance. Significant numbers of captive birds have been illegally and deliberately released on the North Shore. Birds have now been recorded in flocks of up to 50 in the local vicinity and appear to have bred in the wild. They are being supplementary fed at the release site.
*Why are they a problem?*	Australian evidence, supported by reports from the people living on the North Shore, is that these birds are generally aggressive to, and often dominate all other birds trying to use the same food source. Lorikeets are also capable of dislodging much larger birds than themselves e.g. sulphur crested cockatoos. Several N2 native species utilise the same food and nesting habits as lorikeets. Observations at suburban bird feeders near the release site have confirmed that suburban tui formerly using these nectar feeders have been excluded by groups of lorikeets. Australian horticulturists regard them as a significant pest. In Darwin 80-90% of some tropical fruit crops are lost to rainbow lorikeets. Therefore they would have a significant economic impact on New Zealands horticulture industry.

They may carry avian disease. Rainbow Lorikeets in Australia are known to carry avian beak and feather disease, in the wild. Expert veterinarian advice indicates" a number of diseases of parrots that may be of public health concern or which could be passed on to native parrots. These include salmonella, avian cholera and avian TB.

Because of their ability to travel they pose a threat to those species whose survival is only possible on Hauraki Gulf island sanctuaries which have been cleared of predators. The work of the Department of Conservation and thousands of volunteers over many years has been placed in jeopardy.

*Where are they?*	Reports suggest that the largest numbers are on the North Shore with smaller concentrations in Mt Albert/Remuera, Glendowie and possible sightings of pairs from other locations including Clevedon, Howick, Henderson Valley, Waiheke Island.
*What New Zealand species are affected?*	Honeyeaters; tui, bellbird, stitchbird (hihi), parakeets/kakariki, kaka. All these are found only in New Zealand. These birds are not gregarious, generally defend resources in singles or pairs or adopt a pecking order at food sources. Stitchbirds are a threatened species with the majority of the world's population found on two islands in the Hauraki Gulf. Bellbirds are restricted in range due to the impact of predators. Tui have adpated to suburban gardens. Kakariki and Kaka are confined to offshore islands and larger mainland forests. Lorikeets will compete with honeyeaters for food and also use the same nesting sites as kakariki, kaka and Stitchbirds. Lorikeets could easily reach the sensitive offshore islands that are important sanctuaries for threatened species.
*What can be done?*	A cooperative venture between the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Auckland Regional Council and the Department of Conservation will attempt to recapture the birds which have been liberated and those that have bred in the wild. An initial group of birds will be screened to determine the presence of avian diseases.
*How can you help?*	Please contact the Department of Conservation, Auckland Conservancy, phone 307 9279 or Auckland Area Office, Phone 445 9142 with any sightings of this species in the wild.
Produced by the Department of Conservation, Private Bag 68-908, Auckland, New Zealand.	The Department of Conservation promotes biodiversity conservation, historic conservation, the conservation experience, conservation partnerships and quality conservation management.