Rainbow Lorikeet Fast Facts
Overview
Rainbow lorikeets are famous due to their wonderful colours. The deep green hue is spotted on the upper parts, which includes the tail, back, and wings. The nuchal collar is greenish yellow. The deep blue tone is spotted on the head. The red tone with blue-black barring is seen on the chest. The beak of rainbow lorikeet juvenile is a black tone. When it reaches adulthood, the beak will slowly change into the orange tone you see in the adults. Rainbow lorikeets are found along the eastern seaboard, from northern Queensland to south Australia. They live in rainforests, mangroves, woodlands, coastal bushes, and urban areas. They are a very vocal bird, communicating with others in their flock.
Diet
They will mainly feed on nectar, but will also eat pollen and flowers using their specially adapted brush-like tongue,
Reproduction
Rainbow lorikeets are mostly monogamous and remain paired for long periods, if not for life. The female will lay 1 to 3 eggs in the nest, both parents will incubate the eggs and raise the chicks when they hatch.
Threats + Conservation
The main threat is habitat loss, although these birds are well adapted to living in urban areas.
Fun facts
The beaks change colour when they become an adult. They have a special brush-like tongue for feeding on nectar. They flock in huge numbers.