Peach-faced Lovebirds - the next bird pest for Alice?

Apapornis roseicollis, Peach-faced or Rosy-faced Lovebird. This photograph was taken on Dixon Rd but the birds have also been reported from Eastside and Larapinta.

Could this be the next avian invader for Alice Springs? The Peach-faced Lovebird, a popular and very attractive pet bird, is native to arid parts of the south-west of Africa around Namibia.

It is a hollow nesting species and we are right in the middle of their breeding season now. There is a small flock which has been resident around Braitling for several weeks now and there is a risk that they may be breeding.

Please keep an eye out for this, or any other feral bird species that you notice around your gardens. Notify the authorities and let us know so we can get the word out. Coming from an area with quite similar climate to Alice, this species could potentially be a greater danger of spreading out further from town than the Spotted Turtle-dove.

We're beginning to get on top of the feral Spotted Turtle-dove problem so the last thing we need is to have another outbreak of feral birds.

Cheers