Rainbow Lorikeet

Trichoglossus moluccanus

Bursting with vibrant colours, these chatty parrots bring a tropical flair to urban parks and backyards across Australia.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Rainbow Lorikeet is a vibrant, small parrot with striking multicoloured plumage. Its head is deep blue, contrasting with a bright green back, wings, and tail. The chest is bold orange-red, while the belly shows bands of blue and green.

Both males and females share this dazzling colouration, making them indistinguishable in the field. Juveniles have a duller version of the adult plumage, with a dark beak that gradually turns red as they mature.

Size

Length

25cm to 30cm

Wingspan

40cm to 45cm

Weight

75g to 157g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Blue Green Red

Secondary Colour

Yellow Orange Purple

Beak Colour

Red

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Rainbow Lorikeet can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Rainbow Lorikeet is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Rainbow Lorikeet is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Rainbow Lorikeet can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Rainbow Lorikeet can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Rainbow Lorikeet is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Rainbow Lorikeet is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Rainbow Lorikeet is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Rainbow Lorikeet is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Rainbow Lorikeet is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Rainbow Lorikeet is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Rainbow Lorikeet is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Rainbow Lorikeets are native to eastern and northern mainland Australia, ranging from Queensland to South Australia. They inhabit a variety of environments, including rainforests, coastal bushland, and woodland areas.

These adaptable birds have also thrived in urban and suburban settings, becoming a common sight in parks and gardens across many Australian cities. They are particularly abundant in coastal regions but can also be found inland.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,800 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Rainbow Lorikeet. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons