Trichoglossus haematodus
Description
The Rainbow Lorikeet is a brightly coloured bird with orange/red beak (black when young), orange red and yellow chest, blue lower front body and head, green back and wings, red under the wings and a lime green band of colour on nape of neck. Eyes of an adult will be orange. These playful characters usually range 15cm in length, weighing 130-140 grams.
Distribution
Rainbow lorikeets live in a range of habitats from rainforests and open woodland to urban areas. They are native to the East and South East Australia.
Habits & Habitat
Large flocks can be seen in their hundreds flying at sunset towards the horizon to roost. In the morning just before light small groups (10-20) will fly off in search of food. They can travel over 40ks in one day. Rainbow Lorikeets can be heard in most parks and gardens, with sounds from an ear-piercing screech to a very lovable chatter with their partner whilst resting in the afternoon sun. They can live to over 20 years of age in the wild, reaching a sexual maturity at nearly 2 years. Pairs (who can pair for life) breed August to January, sometimes breeding on into a mild winter. Nesting sites are usually hollows of trees. Rainbow Lorikeets have hairy projections on the tip of their tongues, mostly feeding on nectar flowers but will eat pollen, seeds, fruit and insects.
Links and References
Reader's Digest (1986), "Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds"
Attracting lorikeets to your backyard by National Parks and Wildlife Service