Swainson's Lorikeet, a subspecies of the Rainbow Lorikeet, is one of the most colorful parrots in the world. They aren't very suitable as personal pets, but zoos and commercial aviaries provide an opportunity to observe and feed these beautiful birds. An aviary 30 minutes from Tucson gives visitors a chance to see Lorikeets up close.
The Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch
John Wayne won an Oscar for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn in the 1969 movie, True Grit. Rooster was a real-life, one-eyed Marshall in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and he's also a twig in the ranch's Cogburn family tree. D. C. "Rooster" Cogburn opened the ranch in his home state of Oklahoma, but moved it to its present site in 1993, where the Arizona desert more closely approximates the native African habitat of Ostriches. Three generations of the Cogburn's currently live and work at the family-owned ranch.
Located next to Picacho Peak State Park in the Sonoran Desert northwest of Tucson, Rooster Cogburn's Ostrich Ranch offers a range of family attractions. Originally planned as a large commercial operation to develop Ostrich farming comparable to the poultry business, today the ranch focuses equally on tourism. Ostrich products, including four-pound eggs equivalent to two dozen chicken eggs, are still sold at the ranch, but the total number of breeders has dropped from 1,600 in 2002 to 600 today. Two hot air balloons were launched near the ranch in 2002, creating a stampede among the panicked birds that destroyed property and led to the death of a thousand Ostriches.
The ranch offers weekend Monster Truck tours of the 600-acre property, and daily opportunities to observe, photograph and feed a variety of birds and animals. Besides Ostriches, these include deer, Boer goats, miniature Sicilian donkeys and Rainbow Lorikeets. The five dollar admission (five and under are free) includes a large cup of pellets for the Ostriches and animals and a smaller cup of nectar for the Lorikeets.
Swainson's, or Rainbow, Lorikeets
The Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) is a true parrot in the Psittacidae family, found in Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia and other nearby areas. The Swainson's Lorikeet (T. h. moluccanus) is one of a dozen recognized subspecies of the Rainbow Lorikeet, and is the bird commonly called the Rainbow Lorikeet. The Sonoran Desert climate is well-suited to the Lorikeets, as is evident at the Water Ranch in nearby Gilbert, where escaped Peach-faced Lovebirds have colonized. Swainson's Lorikeets are about 12 inches in length with a wingspan of less than 6 inches. Lorikeets are social, flocking together in noisy, acrobatic groups.
Swainson's Lorikeets also are astonishingly colorful and beautiful. With a deep blue head, yellow nape, orange breast, violet belly, red-orange eyes, green wings and tail and an orange-red beak, it is easy to see where the bird got its "rainbow" name.
Their diet in the wild consists mainly of nectar, pollen and fruits opened by fruit bats. They also eat berries and beetles, and have become a farm crop pest in parts of Australia. In captivity, they are fed fruit nectars, fruits, bird of paradise pellets and other plant material. They have a specialized brush-tipped tongue allowing them to feed on flower nectar and opened or soft fruit. These tufted tongue tips are perfectly adapted for lapping nectar from the feeding cups provided by the Cogburn ranch.
Feeding the Lorikeets at the Rooster Cogburn Ranch
The ranch's Lorikeet aviary provides running water, water baths and other premium features for 75 birds in more than 4,300 square feet of space. Unless the birds are satiated, they immediately come to visitors carrying nectar cups. They will sit on your hands, arms, head, hat and anything else that looks attractive. The nectar cups are their first interest, but it doesn't take long for those brush-tipped tongues to empty one, and they soon start exploring everything else within reach. Largely liquid diet leads to frequent liquid output, too, so a hat and washable clothing are advisable.
A camera is a good idea, as well. These incredibly colored birds like to pose, and a half-dozen Lorikeets perched on a single tourist makes a memorable photo souvenir. Although these are gentle and friendly birds, they are capable of nipping. The ranch recommends that visitors do not pet, touch, startle or kiss the birds.
Finding the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch
From Interstate 10, take exit 219 about 30 minutes northwest of Tucson. Drive east toward Tucson on the south side of the freeway for one mile to the well-marked entrance. The ranch is open 9:00 to 5:30 daily from November 1 through April 30, and Friday through Monday from May 1 through October 31. Holiday closures are for Thanksgiving and Christmas only.
Reference:
Dickinson, E. C. (editor), 2003, The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World, 3d edition, Christopher Helm, ISBN 071366536X
Bob Bowers - A lifelong naturalist and amateur ornithologist, Bob's avocation is studying, photographing and writing about birds.
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