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Musk LorikeetAlternative names: "Green Keet", "Green Leek*" |
Sightings
Similar to other lorikeets, in particular Little Lorikeets, Musk Lorikeets are often hard to spot, because so very quick and usually quite shy.
First spotted by us in August 2007, in the township of Narrabri, New South Wales, where they were feasting on the blossoms of ironbark eucalypts. Seen again in various areas around Narrabri throughout the summer of 2008/09. After staying in the area for several months, they "mustered" around late April/early May 2009 and then left, all the various flocks that we had seen, together from one day to the next, while the eucalypts in the area were still in blossom.
Spotted also in Gunnedah, NSW, in October 2008; there they were taking advantage of the availability of bottlebrush blossoms at the time.
Photos
Frontal view of a Musk Lorikeet with its head turned, exhibiting the characteristic facial pattern (click on image for larger version)
The same birds as above, now in a more lateral position (click on image for larger version); note the orange tip of the bill
This photo provides a frontal view of the head (click on image for larger version)
This photo provides the best overview of the facial colour pattern of a Musk Lorikeet. In addition to the following photos, it also exhibits the distinctive leading yellow wing edge on the wings (click on image for larger version)
Here the head seen from above... (click on image for larger version)
...and here from the side (click on image for larger version)
Flock of 15 Musk Lorikeets in flight