heat changing things

[jusdeb]

For the first time Im seeing Rainbow Lorikeets eating the spent seed I deposit in the paddock over the road ..poor buggers must be hungry .

[timh]

Hi Jusdeb,

It's funny, I've actually noticed the same thing for the last week or so... The local Rainbows have been hanging around under my suspendeds eating the spilt seed. It kind of puts to rest the idea that they do not eat seed. It shows that the instinct to survive breaks the norms a such...

Tim

[Canary]

We have Lilli Pilli trees here that were in flower last week and full of Rainbow Lorikeets. I usually cut branches off our trees to feed my wifes pair of lorikeets.

With the heat the flowers have died off much quicker than normal, and I also think the fruit trees have lost their flowers much quicker than normal.

My wifes hen Rainbow Lorikeet got out on Tuesday and took off with some of the wild birds. She was back by the afternoon trying to get back in her cage. They are both hand tame and sit on my wifes hand while she talks to them. I think she must have realised how good it is getting fresh fruit every day, nectar powder and fresh drinking water with a bath.

[jusdeb]

Surely would be a better paddock inside the aviary ... was amazed that among the Galahs , Sulphurs and Grassies they bounced and clowned around without a care in the world ...lovable little birds .

[Mickp]

bounced and clowned around without a care in the world .

Deb I thought you had been told not to spend so long looking in the mirror each day, fancy seeing yourself doing those things and then feeling the need to comment on the forum

[BlackCobra]

bounced and clowned around without a care in the world .

Deb I thought you had been told not to spend so long looking in the mirror each day, fancy seeing yourself doing those things and then feeling the need to comment on the forum

LOL

[jusdeb]

a little too much info lol ... on my behalf

[Myzomela]

Hi Jusdeb,

It's funny, I've actually noticed the same thing for the last week or so... The local Rainbows have been hanging around under my suspendeds eating the spilt seed. It kind of puts to rest the idea that they do not eat seed. It shows that the instinct to survive breaks the norms a such...

Tim

Rainbows actually do feed on seed at some times of the year, in particular Casuarinas and Allocasuarinas, when there are few flowering plants around. I used to see the wild ones eating it at Noosa during the autumn months when I lived up that way.
Most birds expand their feed sources at times of shortage.
It doesn't mean that they would do well on a seed-based diet long term, however. Just open up the next dead one you see & check out how thin-walled the gizzard is- not exactly designed for grinding seed- although their gizzard will thicken up the more seed they are fed.

[timh]

Hi Mysomela,
Interesting... I live and a "bush block" near the Hills area and was doing some tidying/ landscaping a little while ago. My local family of King Parrots came done to harass me as when they see me I'll usually give them a handful of parrot mix. But anyway, the two adults landed on a low branch to watch for a while. I must have turned over some insects in the fresh mulch and the hen landed about a metre away and grabbed cricket from the mulch and started crunching away. Not a common thought but hook bills will eat live food as well at times...
Cheers,
Tim
P.s. "open up a dead Rainbow??? "Vomits quietly" no thanks

[Canary]

Thought I would post some photos of todays temperatures in Western Sydney.

Photo of my cars outside temperature at 2.23pm showing 48C.

18012013 48C.jpg

Photo of the thermometer in the birdroom showing maximum today of 43C.

IMG0034118012013 43C-20130118-1946.jpg

It is still showing 39C at 7,50pm.