I was visiting a friend’s house in bushland in the lower Hunter. Her small grand-daughter was also visiting, so a child-sized table was set up on the back patio. Large Lego kept her amused.
My friend had fed the King Parrots there for a long time but the white cockatoos had begun to dominate, so she was restricting the sunflower seeds to where she could watch who was eating them.
‘The king is here!’ she called to the child. ‘Shall we feed him on your table?’
To the delight of us all, the king deigned to leave the guttering and alight on the table. His queen watched from a nearby tree for a little while, until she felt secure enough to join him amongst the Lego people.
My friend, originally from Denmark, vividly recalls her amazement at these parrots when she first saw them. We all agree that their gentle yet blazing beauty continues to astonish us afresh each time.
Thanks Paul, but that wasn’t at my own place; I don’t put out seed often and I do use mixed seed. My friend was feeding King Parrots only really. And I’m glad I don’t get the white cockies!!!
I could mention that we get a lot of cockies around here (mainly sulphur crested) which are problematic. I get only the occasional scraggler that usually looks at the seeds, decides it doesn’t want them and flies off. On the occasions one lands, I keep an eye out and they haven’t been a problem with the seeds I use.
Hi Sharyn, if you leave mixed seed (which I get from a local pet supply store), you’ll minimise the number of cockies that love the big sunflower seeds. I can email you a pic of what it looks like if you need. Cheers, Paul
I hadn’t thought of their colours as Christmassy, but yes, you are right! They come in large numbers here then because the stone fruit is on.
Well, I would say it is beginning to look
a lot like Christmas!!
Just Beautiful Photos!
DWG