High numbers of wild lorikeets in South East QLD and Northern NSW have fallen victim to the seasonal Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome in recent summers.
Affected birds are unable to fly and in severe cases unable to blink or swallow.
There is an investigation underway by wildlife disease experts to find the cause of the syndrome, however, so far there has been no evidence of an infectious disease being the cause and is likely an unknown plant toxin.
There is also a citizen research project available for the community to participate in called the Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome Project that requires observations of affected birds. If this is something you are interested in you can find more at inaturalist.org/projects or follow the link below.
https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/our-
research/research-areas/veterinary-science/lorikeet-
paralysis-syndrome-project.html