Overkill much ...

[jusdeb]

Keep them Pete .
When we moved here we saw what was thought to be a escaped pair , the next year , around 6 , last year maybe 9 or 10 ...this year 2 def flocks of 8 or more ...my prediction = another few years and they will be out of control .

[Myzomela]

Keep them Pete .

The rainbows in WA- absolutely our fault.
The spread of rainbows throughout eastern Australia- indirectly our fault due to us providing more consistent food sources with increasing devlopment (read planting ornamental (flowering) plants in housing estates, parks & gardens).

Sending rainbows overseas- no "killing" to be made there unfortunately. They are barely worth more than they are here.

As for exporting wild-caught sulphurs/corellas- also not a great option.

The demand for wild-caught cockatoos overseas is not as great as you may think. No one wants crazy screaming adult birds ( often carrying diseases such as PBFD & Chlamydia) when they can buy quiet, loving hand-reared birds, even if they cost more.

Many countries expressly forbid the importation of wild-caught parrots.

Maybe the Asian market, especially China, but it wouldn't be much of a life for many of them. The quality of birdcare in some of these countries is far from what we would call acceptable.

So what is better: a shitty life in a cage fed sunflower seeds & peanuts? Or extermination?

What a choice!!

[BrettB]

When I attended the University of WA in the late 70's there was a small flock of Rainbow Lorikeets that frequented the grounds.
It was one of the few places you could see them at that time as they were relatively uncommon in WA.
I enjoyed watching them, but had little idea about the impact they would have.
I would guess they are the commonest parrot in Perth now, and seem to have displaced a lot of the 28's and other native species.
Take as many as you want

Cheers
Brett