During the last week following a lot of heavy rain we have had many parrots, paired up investigating the various hollows in our gum trees. Among the parrots we have seen exhibiting this behaviour are Little Corellas, Long-billed Corellas, Galahs, Rainbow Lorikeets, Australian King Parrots, and Red-rumped Parrots.
Is it usual for these birds to start looking for a suitable nesting hollow in Autumn? Do they plan this far ahead?
One particular Rainbow Lorikeet seems to be guarding his hollow. He is there, on a nearby branch, every morning and remains close by for most of the day.
It was only a few weeks ago when we saw these same birds in bigger groups, but now they are in pairs.
Many animals respond to rain by beginning breeding activities in anticipation of a bumper crop of seeds, insects & other tucker. I would guess this is what's happening with the parrots where you live, Wollemi.
I saw a pair of Elegant Parrots on Anzac Day. We've had good rain here on the s.e. slopes of the Mt Lofty Ranges in SA so it could be the Elegant Parrots were looking for a breeding place. What was unusual for my neck of the woods is that this species is usually seen in spring & has moved on by mid to late summer.
Not at all!
There is a place near Harvey Norman where parrots appear to be breeding all year around.
I was wondering about that Canonguy, whether they will breed all year around, today we had a small flock (7) of Long-billed Corellas hanging around in the back paddock, but the galahs (2), the Lorikeets (2 pair), and the Little Corellas (2) still seem to be guarding breeding hollows in the front paddock and a pair of Eastern Rosellas flew in to take a look at the hollows.
I have noticed the Australian King Parrots and Eastern Rosellas seem to come down out of the mountains at this time of year, too.
Happy Birding!
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