I am taking a break from the regularly scheduled countdown pix to show off my neighbours… These little parrots are called Rainbow Lorikeets and are in the habit of visiting me in the morning for a saucer of sugar/honey water.
Lorikeets are pattern feeders so they have a circuit of places they eat, all seasonal of course, as not all the native nectar flowers they feed from are in season all year round… But sugar or honey are always on the menu here. So they call in every morning… and sometimes in the afternoon as well!! Cheeky buggers.
I am a little afraid of becoming the crazy birdlady of Manly … they are so fearless now that he (at least I think it’s a he – he’s certainly more forward than his mate) will land on the door handle (pictured) and wait for me to get my act together. Once I have been thoroughly chastised into moving my butt from the sofa and into the kitchen to prepare their breakfast and I go out onto the balcony they will happily land on my hand to drink straight out of the glass…. Like I said, cheeky…
It’s a cool party trick when I have NZ guests staying so I am hoping they are going to be around when Mum comes to stay at Christmas time. She will LOVE them and I am already having visions of having to pose every
morning for a picture with the neighbours…
And, even though I could be called the crazy birdlady of Manly if I keep it up, there’s a part of me that loves the bright and glowing colours of the Aussie birds, raucous though they may be… they are a whole different kettle of fish to the shy and retiring Fantails or Tuis of home.
Ian says
We used to have a rainbow lorikeet visit us regularly. Beautiful creatures.
I think he may’ve been a pet that escaped: he came up to us instantly. Though, perhaps he was still a pet and kept coming to us for dessert! ;-)
Miss Lisa says
ah yes, the famed ‘brown bird’ of New Zealand :) …. which ones have the poisonous beaks? … gotta love the lorikeets … but keep an eye out, when there are two, soon there will be many …….. you may be putting the sugarwater out in buckets!