Breeding Habits and Conservation Status of the Musk Lorikeet Glossopsitta concinna and Little Lorikeet G. pusilla in Northern New South Wales

Abstract

Long-term observations, spanning 43 years, established that on the North-west Slopes of New South Wales (NSW) Musk Lorikeets Glossopsitta concinna and Little Lorikeets G. pusilla used traditional nest-sites in mature and old-growth stands of smooth-barked gums Eucalyptus spp., within 2 km of stands of their key food trees (flowering White Box E. albens and Yellow Box E. melliodora). Nest-sites were tight knotholes in live trees, at 3.0–15.2 m (Musk) or 2.4–15.2 m (Little) above the ground; entrance dimensions (vertical × horizontal) of ~37 × 43 mm and ~29 × 34 mm, respectively, were maintained by regular biting of the regrowing bark. Breeding adults were resident for most of the year, returning periodically in the non-breeding season to maintain and defend nest-hollows. Eggs were laid in winter, and second clutches were laid in spring if Yellow Box flowered profusely. Because of a loss of nest-trees and food resources, breeding Little Lorikeets have declined almost to local extinction in the region, and the species warrants recognition as at least vulnerable, if not endangered, in NSW.