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Rainbow Lorikeet

Trichoglossus moluccanus

Least Concern
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
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Australia

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 90

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Rainbow Lorikeets are exceptionally agile flyers, known for their acrobatic skills and swift movements between trees. Their ability to hang upside down whilst feeding demonstrates remarkable dexterity.

Strength 35

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As small parrots, Rainbow Lorikeets have moderate strength relative to their size. They can manipulate food items and navigate through foliage, but are not particularly powerful compared to larger birds.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These birds show high adaptability, thriving in various environments from rainforests to urban areas. Their ability to utilise both native and introduced plant species for food demonstrates significant adaptive capabilities.

Aggressiveness 60

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Rainbow Lorikeets are not typically aggressive, but they can be territorial during breeding seasons and competitive at feeding sites. Their loud vocalisations and social nature may be perceived as assertive behaviour.

Endurance 70

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

With their ability to fly long distances between roosting and feeding sites, and their active foraging behaviour throughout the day, Rainbow Lorikeets display good endurance. However, as small birds, they may not have the extended flight stamina of migratory species.

Diet

Rainbow Lorikeets primarily feed on nectar and pollen from native flowers, using their specialised brush-tipped tongues, particularly from Eucalyptus, Banksia, Hibiscus and coconut plants. They also consume fruits, seeds, and insects.

In urban areas, they have adapted to feed on introduced plants and sometimes visit bird feeders for supplementary food.

In terms of fruit, Rainbow lorikeets consume pears, bananas, citrus, papaya and mango. One survey found that their diet consists primarily of flowers (87%) across 43 different species of plants.

Behaviour

Rainbow Lorikeets are highly social birds, often seen in noisy flocks. They are agile flyers, darting swiftly between trees with acrobatic skill.

These lorikeets are known for their playful nature, often hanging upside down from branches while feeding or during social interactions.

Vocalisation

Rainbow Lorikeets are famed for being energetic and noisy at times with their loud, high-pitched screeching calls, often described as 'zit-zit' or 'tink-tink'.

They produce a variety of vocalisations, including chattering and warbling sounds, especially when in flocks. Their calls are frequently heard at dawn and dusk as they move between roosting and feeding sites.

Nesting & Breeding

Rainbow Lorikeets form monogamous pairs and breed throughout the year, with peak activity from August to January. They engage in mutual preening and vocalisations during courtship.

Nests are typically located in tree hollows, often in eucalyptus trees. The female lays 2-3 white eggs on a bed of wood dust at the bottom of the hollow.

Incubation lasts about 25 days, and the female primarily performs it. Both parents care for the chicks, which fledge after approximately 7-8 weeks but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While Rainbow Lorikeets are listed as Least Concern due to their large range and population, they face localised threats from habitat loss and competition with introduced species.

In some urban areas, their numbers have increased, leading to concerns about their impact on other native birds.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

Not quantified, but abundant within its range [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Rainbow Lorikeets in flowering trees and shrubs, especially eucalyptus and bottlebrush.
  • Listen for their distinctive screeching calls, which often announce their presence before they're seen.
  • Observe them in urban parks and gardens, particularly in coastal areas of eastern Australia.
  • Visit bird feeders in suburban areas, where they may gather in large numbers.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Rainbow Lory, Coconut Lorikeet

Family:

Psittaculidae

Average Lifespan

10 to 20 years

Max Lifespan

20 years [4]

Predators

Main predators include birds of prey such as Peregrine Falcons and Powerful Owls, as well as introduced mammals like cats and foxes in urban areas.

Did You Know?

  1. Rainbow Lorikeets have a specialised tongue with a brush-like tip to collect nectar efficiently.
  2. They can consume fermented nectar from certain plants, occasionally becoming intoxicated.
  3. In some areas, Rainbow Lorikeets have been introduced and are considered an invasive species.
  4. Rainbow lorikeets can learn to copy certain words and phrases spoken to them if trained to do so.

References

  1. 1 3

    website: BirdLife International. 2016. Trichoglossus moluccanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22725334A95228767.

    View source
  2. 2

    report, 1997: del Hoyo et al.

  3. 4

    website: ABBBS - Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme

    View source

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