Hi RRoss, lorikeets only feed on nectar and fruit if they can, due to the long dry spells (drought) the birds are all congregating in suburbia now that all of us great gardeners are suppling them with suitable food sources, some other people are even feeding them on quite large scales in some backyards which only encourages them to breed up in such numbers that they are now considered pests, (such is your case)and set about destroying your nice garden. Was reading on the Birds Australia site that this is happening big time in Sydney and even in Melbourne as well lorikeets and parrots Indian miners are taking over the Cities as there is not much left for them in the wilds at present. Good luck. Peter r

hi, I think theyre paying you a compliment by visiting, a garden without birds just isnt the same. I get lots of nectar feeders but theyve never gone for my pinks, but they probably just prefer to feed off my native flowers, maybe you could plant a few natives and they might leave the ornamentals alone? some of the resident birds in my garden dont even pay any attention to me now and its so nice to sit outside and have a little feathered visitor hopping or flitting about nearby. :)