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RAINBOW LORIKEETFeatured Lists (Resources)
Rainbow Lorikeet Distribution and habitatRainbow lorikeets favour open forest and wood land habitats and adapt well to urban environments andparklands. The bird’s natural distribution includes the Torres Strait and eastern and northern Australiaas indicated on the map. A small number of the birds were at large in Auckland, New Zealand, but government authorities report successful eradication. Rainbow Lorikeet DietA study of the species conducted in Perth in 1995 showed that the birds were eating seeds, fruits, nectar, pollen andflower parts from more than 20 plant species. They weremost frequently observed feeding from exotic lemon-scented gums (Eucalyptus citriodora), spotted gums (E.maculata), cotton and date palms, coral trees (Erythrinaindica), and figs (Ficus spp). They were also observed feeding from native jarrah (E. marginata), marri (Corymbiacalophylla), and sheoak (Allocasuarina spp). Lorikeets also feed on lerps (scale insects covered in a sweet exudate) andmulberries, and recently they have been noted feeding ongrapes, figs, loquats and nectarines in Perth suburbs. Rainbow Lorikeet BreedingIn Perth the rainbow lorikeet has been recorded nesting intree hollows in jarrah and tuart (E. gomphocephala). They also hollow out or use nest platforms in the dried fronds of date and cotton palms and excavate nest hollows in the trunks of date palms. Nesting has been recorded in July and September. Two eggs are laid on a bed of wood dust and incubation lasts about 26 days. Both parents feed the chicks and the young birds leave the nest approximately seven to eight weeks after hatching. It is not unusual for pairs to produce two clutches per year. Rainbow Lorikeet BehaviourRainbow lorikeets are usually observed in pairs or small flocks, but large noisy groups of over 100 birds are not uncommon. They usually prefer to feed in tree canopies.Lorikeets can travel widely in search of food; in one study, tagged birds were found up to 25 km from the point of release and distances of more than 10 km were not unusual. Helpful Tips for Rainbow LorikeetsYour bird needs vitamins and calcium regularly. Most birds enjoy a variety of fruit and vegetables. Lorikeets love native flowers such as Bottle Brush and Grevillias. Talk to your Lorikeets often if you would like them to talk back to you! Female Lorikeets talk just as much as Male Lorikeets do (imagine that!) Lots of clean drinking water must always be available … Lorikeets love to bath in their water bowls. Wet mix is not essential for Lorikeets, but if you do provide this to your lorikeets, it is a good idea to take the bowl out after a couple of hours as bacteria breeds quickly especially in the warmer weather. Rainbow Lorikeets can breed all year round, they normally lay 1-2 eggs or sometimes 3 in a clutch. Rainbow Lorikeet eggs are usually incubated for approximately 24 days. Rainbow Lorikeets can be kept in a colony environment, but breed well as pairs, in individual aviaries. Rainbow Lorikeets breed from about 12 months of age. Rainbows, Red Collars and Scaleys need to be either surgically sexed or DNA sexed to determine their sex.  |
The rainbow lorikeet is a small, brightly coloured parrot 26 - 31 cm in length and weighing 105 -133 g. Immature birds are duller than adults with abrownish iris and a coral coloured bill with ayellowish tip. The birds are quite noisy, continuously screeching while in flight and when at a food source.They have a swift direct flight with rapid whirring wing beats and display flashes of dark green and bright red.