Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (nesting)

Description:

I was lucky to spot a nesting pair of Scaly-breasted Lorikeets (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus). This is an Australian native parrot species found in the lowland eucalypt forests and woodlands of eastern Australia, and belongs to the parrot family Psittaculidae. The common name aptly describes this bird, which has yellow breast feathers broadly edged with green that look like scales. It is often colloquially referred to as a "scaly" and a "greenie." Beak and eyes are red, and both sexes appear the same. Also similar in size and shape to the Rainbow Lorikeet (T. haematodus), but can be distinguished by its all-green head and body. PS: This is my 666th spotting. A spooky number :/

Habitat:

Spotted nesting in the hollow of a massive Sydney Blue Gum, situated on the bank of freshwater Northbrook Creek at Bryden. Dense bushland of D'aguilar National Park only a short distance away, as well as freshwater Lake Wivenhoe. Immediate area mostly cleared farmland.

Notes:

I spotted here back in 2013, so passing through again I decided to see how things have changed these past 5 years, particularly now we are in drought. I was perusing the creek and surrounding area when I heard the flutter of wings above me, and knew immediately it was a Lorikeet. They have a very distinctive sound, and as I am frequented by Rainbow Lorikeets at home, it's a sound I am familiar with. Then I heard a second bird, and saw it was a pair of "greenies." But all of a sudden, things fell quiet. It was difficult to see from the ground, but unbeknown to me, both birds had actually disappeared into a tree hollow and were nesting. I waited and waited, and it took about 10 minutes before I saw a head pop out of the hollow, but it became apparent that neither bird was going to fly while I was standing nearby. The hollow was high up in the tree, so not the best photos.