They are the magnificent and unmistakable Rainbow Lorikeet - Trichoglossus haematodus.
You can see from the photo that it would be hard to mistake this breed for any other species of parrot with its blue head, bright red beak and colourful plumage. I took these photos while we were staying at Magnetic Island ... which is just a short ferry trip away from my city. These two particular Rainbow Lorikeets were very, very friendly!!
Both sexes look alike, with a bluey-mauve head and belly; green wings, tail and back, and an orange/yellow breast.
The Rainbow Lorikeet is a familiar sight in coastal regions across northern and eastern Australia. Their continuous loud screeching is a familiar sound around my place and because they cluster in groups, the noise can be quite deafening at times!
They mostly forage on the flowers of shrubs or trees to harvest nectar and pollen, but they also eat fruits, seeds and some insects.
There's another blogger posting a Wildlife Wednesday post today ... so go on over and have a look. Lotusleaf is showing some of the great wildlife she sees in her South Indian garden:
Lotusleaf's Garden
Hi Bernie,
ReplyDeleteI am back from my holiday and ready to start posting about my garden, but need to get it a bit tidied up first for some photos! Lovely to find your photos welcoming me back to this wonderful country we live in where we are surrounded by such beauty every day. I like your new layout along with the music!
Welcome home traveller! I bet you had a fabulous time ... will be looking out for your posts to see how your garden fared while you were away. It's been such a mild winter so far ... and we've even had showers of rain here ... I love my part of Oz at this time of year! Glad you've enjoyed both the new layout and the music!
ReplyDeleteBernie, the Lorikeets are so incredibly colourful! Your pictures are stunning. Thanks for mentioning my blog.
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to have such wonderful wildlife around you. I would love to see birds like this in my garden. Don’t get me wrong I love our wildlife but it is now where as colourful as yours is.
ReplyDeleteBernie, I can't imagine finding a gorgeous bird like this in my yard. Your photos are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteEileen
Great shots. They sometimes scratch you when they land and take off from your hand,They are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteBernie the colours of the plumage are wonderful but to see those birds feeding from your hand is something to be cherished - wild animals doing that must give you such a thrill. Love your relaxing music here today.
ReplyDeleteHere we only see them as pets, and they are stunningly gorgeous birds. How fabulous to see them in their natural environment, and HEALTHY though. Must be the grapes :P
ReplyDeleteHi Bernie, What a colorful bird to have in the garden. They would have to live in a cage as a pet here. You are so lucky.
ReplyDeleteBernie, you are truly fortunate to be able to enjoy these lovely birds in your garden! I'm used to seeing them as a companion bird...I've never seen them in the wild!
ReplyDeleteWhat spectacular visitors you have in your garden. I can't believe the colors, and the oddly human little smiles they have.
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