Loud and belligerent, rainbow lorikeets are the soundtrack of urban Australia. They live so close to us that we think we know everything there is to know about the iconic bird. Here are a few facts about rainbow lorikeets you may have missed.
Okay, we know this is hard to believe, but even native species can be classed as pests if they extend their ranges. And this is the case for the rainbow lorikeet.
Drunken birds? Yes, we’re serious. When the wet season approaches in Darwin and the mercury starts to climb, lorikeets get on the drink.
The diet of a lorikeet typically mirrors its fruity colours: think bright flowers such as grevilleas, banksias and eucalyptus.
You’re probably most familiar with the rainbow lorikeet, but there are actually seven other species of lorikeet, and all are equally as beautiful as their cousin. Get to know them here...
As you probably guessed, this lorikeet is easily recognised by the vibrant red collar it has around its neck, differentiating it from other species of lorikeet.
Trichoglossus rubritorquis
Trichoglossus haematodus
Relatively similar looking to its rainbow-coloured cousin, the coconut lorikeet has a black belly, a noticeably shorter tail and less blue on its head.
Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus
Markedly different from other lorikeets, these guys are covered in green feathers with little streaks of yellow. Their underwings are a mixture of red, orange and black.
Psitteuteles versicolor
Like the scaly-breasted lorikeet, this species has an almost totally green body, but its head is a tropical cocktail of colour.
Glossopsitta concinna
The musk lorikeet has a bright red marking on its face and an exclusively pastel blue-coloured crown. Weirdly, this lorikeet doesn’t mind feeding on the odd insect.
Glossopsitta porphyrocephala
This species has to be the cutest lorikeet, with its namesake pale purple-coloured crown, yellow spotted cheeks and greeny-blue breast. It's often referred to as a ‘blossom nomad’, because it gathers in large numbers in areas it hasn’t visited for long periods of time.
Glossopsitta pusilla
Australia’s smallest lorikeet races through flowering eucalypts, almost impossible to see. Like the purple-crowned lorikeet, they’re considered to be nomadic.
Trichoglossus moluccanus
Rainbow lorikeets are one of the most widespread birds in Australia. These guys are even considered pests in some states.