People in the Bridgetown area are asked to look out for rainbow lorikeets and report any suspected sightings.
Department of Agriculture and Food biosecurity officer Julie Webber said there had been a recent confirmed sighting of the declared pest in Bridgetown.
“Large numbers of rainbow lorikeets are kept as pets in Western Australia,” Ms Webber said.
“Owners need to be vigilant to ensure they don’t escape because the bird can be a serious agricultural and urban pest.
“Rainbow lorikeets have affected horticultural production in the Swan Valley and Perth Hills where ongoing control is required to manage the birds.
“We want to prevent the pest bird from becoming established in the South West and rely on the public to help by reporting any sightings.”
Rainbow lorikeets can be habitual, returning to the same feeding and roosting areas daily. This can help in their detection by discerning members of the community.
The birds are often seen and heard feeding on flowering and fruiting trees early in the morning. They are noisy and have a call distinct from native parrots.
They are also known to foul vehicles and outdoor living areas and compete aggressively with native birds for food.
Rainbow lorikeets have a purple head, orange beak and breast, purple belly and yellow collar. They have swift, direct flight with rapid whirring wing beats and display flashes of dark green and bright red.
Ms Webber reminded bird keepers to ensure all birds including lorikeets are securely housed; preferably in a double-doored aviary
“The rainbow lorikeet is one of several declared pest birds which may be kept under permit,” she said.
“People in the Bridgetown area are asked to report any unusual birds, including other high-risk declared pests such as Indian ringnecks, sulphur-crested cockatoos, starlings, sparrows, blackbirds, house crows and the Indian myna.
“More information about rainbow lorikeets and other pest birds is available here [1].”
To report a sighting of a rainbow lorikeet or any other unusual bird, call Ms Webber on +61 (0)8 9777 0123 or the department’s Pest and Disease Information Service on 1800 084 881.
[2]Media contact: Jodie Thomson/Dionne Tindale, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937