Yesterday I followed a tip from a friend and managed to track down a group of 4 Major Mitchell Cockatoos in a local park in Kingsgrove, Sydney. Given the published range for these birds, I am wondering if they have escaped from somewhere. Any theories on why they would be turning up in our suburbs?

Hi Lindsay

I doubt that anyone would be able to say definitively one way or another whether these are wild birds or escapees. Droughts and bushfires in the last year did lead to some unusual movements of inland birds. That said, with birds so far out of their normal range I would think it is safe to assume that they are escapees unless there is clear evidence to the contrary. In cities the size of Sydney, escapees across a range of parrot species would likely be fairly common given their prevalence as pets, aviary birds and in the legal and illegal bird trade. However I doubt that most escapees live very long in the wild although large robust cockatoos such as the Major Mitchell's may have a greater chance of survival than many.

Regards
Simon

There has been a report of a MM in Brisbane on and off for the past few weeks in the daily rare bird list from ebird. It has generally been hanging around the same location so I think it would be an escapee. 4 would seem to be a lot to escape at the one time.