Another Pair of Flying Visitors

We had another flying couple visiting us right at the minute I was writing about the Rainbow Lorikeets couple - what a coincidence.

I was actually trying to download the Rainbow Lorikeets images I took this morning when a Cockatoo landed where the Lorikeets couple snacked this morning. One second later, another Cockatoo joined the first one - another pair of lovers.

They both looked into the window inquisitively like investigators on duty. They didn't look shy or show any sign of fear at all.

Cockatoos can live up to 60 years and also mate for life;I"m wondering if that visiting couple is newly wed or grandma and grandpa.

Our Flying Visitors Dropped By This Morning

That Rainbow Lorikeets couple came back to visit this morning - well, I'm not exactly sure if they are the same pair as last time, but they seemed to know that food is available here on our window sill.

Curious and expecting, they looked into the window. So I opened the window and handed them some sun flower seeds and sultana. They happily enjoyed the snacks.

Next some amazing thing happened: they began to kiss each other - French kisses. They must have counted "1, 2, 3 start" in their own language because they turned to each other simultaneously and stick each other's tougue into the partner's mouth at the same time. (Maybe there is a more practical reason t: they were sharing food.)

I realized these Lorikeets couple are just like human couples - helping and supporting each other.

When they were resting on the window after the kissing, another pair of Rainbow Lorikeets flew towards the window. Suddenly I could hear warning and cursing noises - the original couple was flapping their wings trying to scare the other couple away, defending their exclusive food territory. The female (I guess) intruder left after a few rounds, standing on neighbor's window watching the battle whilst the male intruder was very persistant, constantly teasing the defedant couple.

I was so amused that I forgot feeding any of them. So after a while the original couple realized that they were fighting for nothing, they suddenly took off. Now the intruder couple were left to enjoy the whole territory. They picked some leftover seeds from the window sill but turned away from the sultana I handed over - they obviously have different taste from their cousins.

I know that King Parrots mate for life, but I'm not sure if Rainbow Lorikeets are the same. They do live in pairs though.