Extreme dietary switching: widespread consumption of meat by Rainbow Lorikeets at garden bird feeders in Australia
| Posted: |
12/05/2017 |
| Author(s): |
Darryl N. Jones, Monica Awasthy, Rhiann Gillanders |
Although wild bird feeding in Australia has a similar participation rate to that of North America and the United Kingdom,
many of the species visiting feeding stations are carnivorous and are attracted by the provision of meat products. Whilst
numerous species utilising feeders in Australia, including Rainbow Lorikeets Trichoglossus haematodus, consume seed
mixes, a 2015 media report described this species also feeding on meat items. In order to determine whether this was more
than localised, aberrant behaviour, a national online survey was conducted. A total of 140 respondents reported Rainbow
Lorikeets consuming meat at feeding stations located throughout much of the species’ distribution. Many of these reports
were from the larger urban centres and a large proportion of respondents indicated that this behaviour had been occurring
for more than five years. The phenomenon of meat-eating by Rainbow Lorikeets (and a range of other species) was found
to be widespread and well-established. It is likely that this behaviour is an extension of the natural dietary switching of the
species, it but could potentially be harmful if this type of food contributed significantly to the overall diet.
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