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Cockatoos, Lorikeets, Parrots, RosellasGeneral observations |
There are many species of Cockatoos, Lorikeets, Parrots and/or Rosellas in different parts of Australia. The area where we live (Narrabri, NSW) offers a lot of diversity, with the habitat of inland birds reaching to the foot of the great dividing range. At the same time, other coastal species do occasionally cross the range and can therefore also be found in some protected areas at the base of the Nandewar Range as well.
Apart from a few species which are around almost all year round (such as e.g. Galahs ), there are many which will appear only when their favourite food is available. In summertime, for example, Mallee Ringneck parrots are scarce where we live.
Proving that adaptability is the key to their success, many species of this family group have profited from the arrival of humans. Some, for example seed-eaters such as Red-rumped Parrots, take advantage of the clearing of land, while others, e.g. Little Corellas and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, profit from the arrival of orchards and groves, while yet others (Galahs and again Sulphur-crested Cockatoos) have learnt to find spills of commercial grain crops. Over the last few years (2004-2008) some formerly coastal species (e.g. Rainbow Lorikeets and Scaly-breasted Lorikeets) have expanded their habitats into inland Australia, mostly because of the availability of new food sources in parks in towns.
What fascinates us most is the abundance of bright colours displayed by almost all of them.
