Parrots in the Wild Musk Lorikeets Glossopsitta cincinna
By ROSEMARY LOW T his s uperb pho tograph w as taken by John Courtney at Swan Vale, New South Wales, where he r eside s, o n May 21 1 989. Photographs of this species at its nest are rare. The upper bird is b lock in g the entr anc e hole. Suitab le ne st sites f or Musk Lo rike ets have bec ome s car ce, due to widescale destruction last century of the trees in which they nest, usually Blakely’s red gum (Eucalyptus dealba ta) and the white gum (E. viminalis). Probably most Musk Lorikeets never have a chance to breed. Those who do so tend and guard their nest site year-round. John Courtney’s knowledge of the nesting habits of Musk and Little Lorikeets is without parallel. He has studied them intensively at the same locality since the 1950s. He is saddened by their declining populations and lack of nest sites, some of which have be en bulldozed by farmers.
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