Rainbow Lorikeet Runner

In the wild Rainbow Lorikeets eat large amounts of pollen which is high in protein and essential for growing new feathers after moulting. However, the diet of sugar and honey often offered to them in Surburbia contains very little protein. As a result, Rainbow Lorikeets frequently have feathers, which are too short for successful flight. A sugary diet is also deficient in vitamins and minerals, making birds susceptible to diseases, and creates ideal conditions for the growth and spread of harmful micro-organisms.

Of particular concern is Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease. This is an extremely infectious virus, often with fatal results. The disease impairs growth of the long feathers essential for flight and is easily passed from parents to their young. These unfortunate birds are known as ‘runners’, and the disease as ‘runner syndrome’. They are unable to fly, yet healthy enough to forage and run on the ground.

Phoenix was collected from a vet for the Wildlife Society. She had been attacked by a predator and was very frustrated about being in a cage, she looked awful. This photograph was taken the morning after she arrived. She is a ‘runner’ and has this common disease of urban wildlife. There is no effective treatment for birds suffering from the disease and controlling the spread of the virus relies on strict hygiene.

These photographs were taken three days later – this morning. Young lorikeets are identified by their dark brown beaks but Phoenix has had a long life even though she appears to be the size of a baby. She is behaving normally now for a wild bird in a cage, and looks a lot healthier. We have been told a lorikeet was calling for her in the night from where she was originally found.

The vet believes in euthanasia of affected birds. The disease can shed psittacine circovirus for extended periods, functioning as a source of infection for other birds.

What should we do? What should we decide? We are the Foster Carers with a MASSIVE decision to make.