No it isn't a new breed of bird. It's your Rainbow Lorikeet, found predominantly in Australia with PBFD.
The're known as 'Runner Lorikeets'.

Bird Health - Lorikeets - Disease Susceptibility


Burke's Backyard > The Message Board > Pets and wildlife discussion > Rainbow Lorikeet Runner

'Runner' Lorikeets

No replies on this thread at all??? No one has nothing to say, zilch? Not even to correct me on my spelling!!! Thought someone would have picked me up on that or even thought about it.

What do you all think? Sad isn't it. I feel sad that Rainbow Lorikeets are called Runner Lorikeets.

Show your support, reply to this thread, say something.
Join the cause I have in my signature. DO SOMETHING!! Life isn't all about ourselves and our lovely pet birds we have. There is more out there in the big wild world. One day you will look at your hookbill bird and S H I T yourselves for fear of PBFD.
Just look at my avatar. That is my hookbill bird, I loved her and she died from PBFD. Want your hookbill to die of it??? Help me PLEASE!!

Actually Jac was talking about making this thread a sticky the other day, so there we go, I bit the bullet and did it.

Thankyou!! Peggy says Thankyou, Lories say thankyou!!

Sue maybe no one is sure what to say, but they are looking, as of right now there have been 38 views of the thread.

Originally Posted by Michelle & Fids

Sue maybe no one is sure what to say, but they are looking, as of right now there have been 38 views of the thread.

Are they stunned? It isn't anything more than what I have been trying to say for ages, the links just prove my point I guess.
For me that know about PBFD and any other Aussie's. It's the norm over here to see PBFD birds. But to see the birds and then to understand what is wrong with them is another thing altogether. We need to educate people so that they know what is happening to our wildlife.

WE'RE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think it is so sad that they have to be called Runners. Guess it leaves them highly susceptible to predators too. How do they eat?

Originally Posted by jessalyn eaton

WE'RE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think it is so sad that they have to be called Runners. Guess it leaves them highly susceptible to predators too. How do they eat?

Yeh scientific research says that foxes and cats get them. The scientists say that it is a natural way of getting rid of them before they spread the disease. I am yet to agree with this analysis, cause Lories are known to be able to recover.
I have also read somewhere that is was wildlife rescuers in Aus that took these lories in, got them back to health and released them, but it was these birds that still carried the disease and spread it to uninfected wild birds.

The disease can remain in the liver of the bird for many years.

Not enough is known about the disease and far too many people are unaware of it. Much needs to be done for research.
I am in the process now of setting up funding. As I have been unable to do it through any university I am now looking into setting up a charitable organization whereby I have the facilities online to accept donations and pass them onto the respective university.

I have been in contact with Shane Radial (pbfd scientist) to follow up with any news on pbfd vaccination/prevention and for funding deposits.

I don't mean to cause any upset, but wouldn't it be better to let the infected wild birds get eaten, it would stop the virus being passed onto other birds, and it would stop new chicks being born with the virus who will more than likely die from an infection anyway with such a weak immune system.

Nah your not causing an upset at all. In some ways, yes it would be better, but in other ways there are many other birds that are much bigger than lories. It is a catch 22 situation. So yes in one context I agree, but in the other sense, is it humane...NO. The birds were here before cats and foxes were introduced.

What needs to be done is more people need to know and be educated about what the lories have and to help save our birds.

I came back to edit...the bird size, Peggy is a bird that no cat would take on. Foxes yes, but is it right that she should die such a horrible death. If you had aids and were out in a paddock dying, would you like to be eaten by a lion??