23 He aha tērā? Rainbow Lorikeet

This very colourful bird has been spotted in the village recently, but shouldn’t be here at all. It has a red bill, blue head, yellow neck, green body and red breast. It’s not an eastern rosella though. He aha tērā? What is that?

Photo by Fred Hirst. Used with permission.

Answer: it’s a rainbow lorikeet:

Identification: Length: 28 cm; Weight: 120 g

Similar species: Eastern rosella

Brightly coloured medium-sized parrot with red bill and blue head. … Illegal releases of aviary birds in Auckland during the 1990s resulted in a breeding feral population that has since been eradicated. The rainbow lorikeet is considered a horticultural and conservation pest species, and is an Unwanted Organism in New Zealand. If you think you have seen a rainbow lorikeet, phone the Ministry for Primary Industries Pests and Diseases Hotline 0800 80 99 66.