A member of one of my facebook groups posted these pictures of a blue scaly-breasted lorikeet taken in South east queensland, he wont give full location to insure people don't go and try to catch it.. He swears they are not photoshopped/edited and two other people have also said they have seen it. I asked for permission to share the pictures so I can get everyone's thoughts on this unique bird.
The blue mutation of the scaly is still a very rare bird in captivety so to see one in a wild population is amazing ,and I strongly agree about not giving its location a lot of breeders would love to get their hands on this bird.
Outstanding.
I think it was once a caged bird anyway... I wouldn't believe it being a wild bird.
Brandon (aka ihewman)
Why not?
Many 'avicultural' mutations were first discovered in the wild, or have arose independently in wild and captive populations.
http://www.aussiefinchforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=211&t=5463
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/forum/Wild-Pied-Variation-Rainbow-Lorikeet
Interesting, beautiful bird, would be a shame for it to be captured. There also seems to be a Rainbow Lorikeet in the picture, right of the Blue, and head down in the bowl, unless I am mistaken.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
I guess it could be an ex-avery bird and if it was I'm glad the wild population has accepted it. I just hope with it's unique colouring it avoids capture by both man or preditor
I don't think it's necessarily an aviary escapee; mutations happen.
But I do hope it stays around, it is rather conspicuous.
looks good
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
It would be a natural occurring mutation, there has been a couple of blue scaley breasted lorikeets seen up on the Sunshine Coast recently
interesting, joe. any chance of pics?
lets hope they are safe from trappers.
i once saw a wild rainbow lorikeet with the whole front of the bird deep blue (where the orange should be).
Sorry, I don't have any photos of them, a good friend of mine in the area told me about them, he hasn't seen them in a while!!!