Rainbow Lorikeets
Rainbow Lorikeets are one of my favorite birds. (I know, I have a few favorites.) They’re small, wild parrots, cheeky and noisy and so, so colorful. In my old house they used to wake me up regularly, hanging out in the big old gum (eucalyptus) tree outside my bedroom window, chattering and screeching as they feasted on the gum blossoms. 
I don’t see them as often in the new place, but I do occasionally hear them as they race across the sky, calling to each other with their distinctive fluting call, and playfully diving and swooping as they go. The sound always makes me smile. If you’re wondering they’re called “Rainbow Lorikeets” here’s a photo I saw on FB (I think) and saved. All the colors of the rainbow.
They’re wild birds, native to Australia, but a lot of people also keep them as caged pets, which is understandable because they’re so pretty, but it also makes me sad. They’re birds that naturally live in flocks in the wild, and to see just one sitting in a small cage makes me think they must be so lonely. Budgerigars are also wild birds native to Australia and are even more internationally popular as cage birds, but they also live in flocks in the wild. Here’s a photo of a large flock of “budgies” in the wild, in outback NSW (New South Wales).
That said, I know budgies and other small parrots seem to adapt quite well to domestication. My beloved godmother always had a blue budgie she called Joey — well, over the years it must have been a series of budgies all called Joey, though I was an adult before I realized this. He flew around the house, and would come when called and perch on her glasses, and rub his beak affectionately on her ear. She lived alone, so Joey’s company was important to her —she really loved him — and because of that I’m torn about the domestication of wild birds, and can’t condemn it outright. I also know that domesticated birds live longer than most wild birds. Still, sometimes when I see a wild bird sitting all alone in a small cage, it makes me sad.
The rainbow lorikeets are gorgeous. I remember seeing them when we visited Australia in 2001. We spent a glorious week at Surfers Paradise.
Thanks, Sandy — there are so many rainbow lori’s on the Gold Coast. I remember on several writing retreats there the birds were so noisy at twilight (and also at dawn) that we had to shut the big sliding doors of our hotel rooms because we couldn’t hear ourselves talk. And sleeping with the doors open was only possible if we planned to wake before dawn!
I visited Australia in 2009 spending time in Alice Springs, various areas in Queensland, and Sydney. I was amazed at the flocks of colorful, wild birds in Alice and Queensland! On Hamilton Island several birds were very interested in my what I was eating when I sat on the patio. Unfortunately I can’t identify all the species!
Thanks, Jean. Yes, I think we’re very lucky to have so many lovely and interesting birds. There are a few websites that identify birds here, and I find one, that also plays the sound each bird makes, very helpful, especially when I can hear a bird but can’t see it.
We kept a bird (named Bird) for about 20 years. Our oldest child.
My aunt and uncle inherited a cockatoo in Australia and brought him to the US with them. He eventually became so possessive of my aunt (over a period of about 25 years) that they released him to a breeding program. A jealous cockatoo can do a lot of damage.
We have a smallish dog now who isn’t near as devious.
Oh Marianne, cockies can be very devious, I agree. I’m sad that your aunt’s cocky became difficult — maybe he needed some cocky company. The wild ones also fly in flocks here.
Love the rainbow lorikeets. They announce their arrival in our yard (and next door), feasting on the bottlebrush. Always so happy to see them. In our previous house we had a large backyard aviary, and bred budgies. They are also a delight. Australian birds are so lovely, noisy and colourful.
Malvina they feast on the bottlebrush here too, only it’s on the nature strip, and I live mostly at the back of the house, so I don’t always hear or see them until they fly off. We are lucky to have so many lovely and interesting birds, I agree.