Rainbow Lorrikeets can be found along the coastline of Australia, where they nest in very tall trees such as the Norfolk Pines found along Manly’s beachfront. Their habit of sleeping in rows on branches of high trees keeps them safe from domesticated predators such as cats and dogs, while their noisy screeches scares bigger birds away.
They live off flower nectar and pollens, but also eat fruits, fruit nectars, seeds and some insects. Their brush-tipped tongues are adapted for gathering nectar efficiently. They help pollinate native plants like eucalyptus and bottlebrush.
Their beaks are slightly curved, perfect for accessing nectar.
They have a lifespan of up to seven to nine years. Their lifespan can be up to 30 years in captivity, with proper care.
Social Birds
They are known to fly up to 50kms a day to feed, often in regular flight path patterns at the same time every day. They are also extremely fast flyers, being clocked at over 40kms per hour, often travelling in pairs or large flocks. They are social creatures, quite often seen in pairs or noisy flocks, especially at their communal roosts.
Nesting in tree hollows. Monogamous, they form a mutual and exclusive intimate partnerships. The females incubate 1–3 eggs, then both parents will care for the chicks.
Species
Trichoglossus haematodus
Psittacidae
They have become extremely successful as a species here in Australia because of those reasons and have now spread as far away as Perth and the far north. Although somewhat friendly towards humans they can also push out other native birds from their habitat with their nesting behaviors.
They are medium-sized parrots, typically around 25–30 cm in length.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
At the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast in south east Queensland, you can experience these birds up close, even have breakfast while they have theirs. See:
They have a distinctive reddish beak with a blue (mauve) head and belly. Their wings, tail and back are a beautiful bright green while they also have an orange/yellow breast. Their beaks are a bright red.
Feather Colours
Blue
Green
Orange
Purple
Red
Yellow
Lorikeets in Australia
There are six different types of Lorikeets in Australia, small to medium parrots in size. They can measure from 150mm (6″) to 400mm (16″) in lenght. They usually have bright colours, with the colours of the birds depending on which species they are.
Rainbow Lorrikeets: These colourful birds can be seen in many places along the east coast of Australia.
Next: Australian Raptors
Rainbow Lorrikeets
Map of Australia
Rainbow Lorrikeets can be found along the coastline of Australia, where they nest in very tall trees such as the Norfolk Pines found along Manly’s beachfront. Their habit of sleeping in rows on branches of high trees keeps them safe from domesticated predators such as cats and dogs, while their noisy screeches scares bigger birds away.
They live off flower nectar and pollens, but also eat fruits, fruit nectars, seeds and some insects. Their brush-tipped tongues are adapted for gathering nectar efficiently. They help pollinate native plants like eucalyptus and bottlebrush.
Their beaks are slightly curved, perfect for accessing nectar.
They have a lifespan of up to seven to nine years. Their lifespan can be up to 30 years in captivity, with proper care.
Social Birds
They are known to fly up to 50kms a day to feed, often in regular flight path patterns at the same time every day. They are also extremely fast flyers, being clocked at over 40kms per hour, often travelling in pairs or large flocks. They are social creatures, quite often seen in pairs or noisy flocks, especially at their communal roosts.
Nesting in tree hollows. Monogamous, they form a mutual and exclusive intimate partnerships. The females incubate 1–3 eggs, then both parents will care for the chicks.
Species
Trichoglossus haematodus
Psittacidae
They have become extremely successful as a species here in Australia because of those reasons and have now spread as far away as Perth and the far north. Although somewhat friendly towards humans they can also push out other native birds from their habitat with their nesting behaviors.
They are medium-sized parrots, typically around 25–30 cm in length.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
At the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast in south east Queensland, you can experience these birds up close, even have breakfast while they have theirs. See:
Gold Coast Animals and Wildlife
Other places to see these friendly, colourful and noisy birds:
Australia Wildlife Parks
Rainbow Lorrikeet’s Feather Colours
They have a distinctive reddish beak with a blue (mauve) head and belly. Their wings, tail and back are a beautiful bright green while they also have an orange/yellow breast. Their beaks are a bright red.
Feather Colours
Lorikeets in Australia
There are six different types of Lorikeets in Australia, small to medium parrots in size. They can measure from 150mm (6″) to 400mm (16″) in lenght. They usually have bright colours, with the colours of the birds depending on which species they are.
Australian Birdlife
Previous: Australian Koalas
Topic: Australia Indigenous Life, Arts and Culture
Main Photo: Rainbow Lorrikeets: These colourful birds can be seen in many places along the east coast of Australia.
Photo: Distinctive Colours of the Rainbow Lorrikeet