Thieving Cockies
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday January 28, 1993
FLOCKS of white cockatoos are a common sight in many of the northern suburbs and, although it is marvellous to have our native birds sharing our gardens, we pay a penalty.
If you were counting on a big crop of macadamia nuts from a tree in your backyard, forget it if the cockatoos have been visiting. Their beaks are designed to crack open the toughest nuts.
They also love to steal passionfruit, as do possums. If you do not want to share your fruit with the wildlife you will need to use bird-netting, which must be stretched firmly over the vine or tree - not just draped loosely.
It would be sensible to put up a simple but permanent framework which can be covered with netting during the fruiting season.
© 1993 Sydney Morning Herald