The Rainbow Lorikeet is a declared pest species in Western Australia.
Introduced to the state by a UWA grounds-man it originally slowly spread
from Nedlands on the river to Cottesloe Beach on the coast, its range limited
by the fact that it is a tropical nectar eater living in a semi arid Mediterranean type climate.
In recent years however it has rapidly spread inland, probably due to urban sprawl and
the planting of ornimental garden plants increasing its suitable food.
Now it is found all over the city and in to the fruit growing regions of the Darling Escarpment
were it is causing considerable damage to citrus crop.
We have a few Citrus trees that, in the past, yielded several hundred or so oranges each year...
but in the last couple of years the Rainbow Lorikeet's in our area have stripped the trees
all but bare of fruit. Last year we managed to save only 2 oranges.
As such they are not my most favorite of birds.