Identifying recent captive escapees of Rainbow Lorikeets (Trichoglossus moluccanus) at different stages of the pet-release pathway

Abstract

Rainbow Lorikeets (Trichoglossus moluccanus) are highly sought after in the Australian pet trade and have established invasive populations outside their native range, in part through captive escapes and releases. We tested whether stable isotope analysis of feathers can identify recently escaped or released captive individuals within wild populations, distinguishing them at different stages along the pet-release pathway. Our findings support stable isotope analysis as a practical tool for monitoring ongoing releases and informing management of this invasive pathway.