Lorikeets and Other Matters

There is a certain irony about the terms "invasive species" or "non-endemic species" and especially when it is made by a non-Indigenous Tasmanian/Australian. The notion that these 'species' "do not belong here" is somewhat curious even though they are, arguably, out of place and are/were not actually a part of the Tasmania ecosystem. 

Putting aside the idea that the highest percentage of 'speakers' here are either "invaders to Tasmania" themselves or the decedents of some ... let's look at the feathered invaders and their apparently hybrid offspring – The Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)

The Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery has been looking at the issue and David Maynard has shared some images to help put the  hybridity issue in perspective.

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You might well ask how the little birds got to Tasmania! The answer seems to be that nobody really knows but high on the list of suspects are people with aviaries allowing birds to escape and it is feasible that they may have flown in. Once here and out and about birds do what people do do... procreate and not always carefully.

The Fact Sheet Says: Rainbow lorikeets, if they were to establish here they would compete for food and resources with native parrots, such as the musk lorikeet, swift parrot and green rosella. They also pose a potential disease risk as they are carriers of Psittacine beak and feather disease. Rainbow lorikeets are a serious threat to Tasmania’s agricultural industries. They have the potential to have high impact on cherry, apple, pear,stone fruit and grape crops.

How to control the population growth: It seems that nobody has a handle on how to control the potentially growing populations elsewhere where they are not wanted. But, some people living in the subtropics of NSW during The Depression and into the 1960s would know they these birds make very good eating even if they are on the small side. Back in the 60s the population of lorikeets was dwindling given that they made such good eating and also because southern Euorpean migrant found them so too. 

Humanity's propensity to unsustainably harvest resources like this tend to mitigate against population growth.

Lorikeet Pie

12 to 20 Lorikeets
Few slices of cooked beef
4 Rashes bacon
3 Hard-boiled eggs
Minced parsley & lemon-peel
Pepper and salt
Stock
Puff pastry

Prepare the lorikeets as you would any game bird. Line a pie-dish with the beef cut into slices, over them place 6 of the lorikeets, dredge with flour, fill up the spaces with egg cut in slices and scatter over the seasoning. Next put the bacon, cut in small strips, then 6 lorikeets and fill up with the beef, seasoning as well. Pour in stock or water to nearly fill the dish, cover with puff-pastry and bake for 1 hour.