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The Birdlife of Esperance,

Western Australia

To encourage the free flying parrots to visit our garden, Steve Rosellas (Platycerus icterotis.) According to the distribution
designed a bird “entertainment centre”. We built the 3-me- chart these birds do not frequent this area. This pair has been
tre-high wooden structure and placed it in a secluded area and visiting twice daily for over eighteen months. Another parrot
waited… which also does not appear on the map is the Sulphur Crested
cockatoo (Cacatua galleria) but one visits from time to time.
The roof is regularly stripped for nesting material by the local
magpies (Cracticus tibicen.) The cross sections support sus- Red capped parrots (Purpureicephalus spurious) are also
pended bird bells and provide perches for our feathered visitors. known as Kind Parrots, visit in pairs right throughout the day.
A hanging basket catches the falling seed. At the base we have They tend to become very upset to find “strangers” at their bird
planted 3 dragon fruit plants. These plants grow upwards and feeder - loud name calling and frequent fly over swoops unsettle
cascade over the wooden side beams. Besides being practical, any new birds. However, they tend to wait patiently in the near-
the main objective is to prevent the bird feeder becoming a cat by tree for their turn to return to the tall feeding perch. Family
feeder! groups do visit together but only when the youngsters are
almost adult size. These parrots are very common in this area.
Do bear in mind that your first impression is that these beauti- Beautiful birds with red caps, yellow faces with a blue chest and
ful birds look as if they have just escaped from an aviary! They red undercarriage with green and blue tail feathers.
really are wild and free flying parrots.
Australian Ringnecks are also common here (Barnardius zonar-
Our daily visitors include a brightly coloured pair of Western ius) and are also known as “Twenty Eight” parrots. No one has

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