Hi! We are the colorful Rainbow Lorikeets. We are simply called Rainbow Lory. We are a well-known parrot known for our colorful plumage. Have a look at some important points about us:
- We are comparatively aggressive birds and are territorial birds. We chase away other lorikeets and other birds from our nesting area.
- We are well-known pets across the world.
- But we are only found in Australia, especially on the east coast. We are often fed by people living our range.
- Do you know? We were once very abundant in Sydney (in the early 19th century) but after 1950 we became very rare. After proper conservation, we are now abundant again in Sydney.
- On a typical day, we spend most of our time feeding and foraging for food.
- We, like many parrot species, are loud and noisy.
SOME QUICK FACTS ABOUT US:
Our Scientific Name: Trichoglossus moluccanus.
Identification: Very colorful parrots with deep blue head, greenish-yellow collar and green upperparts.
Our Habitat: scrublands, forest, and wetlands.
Our Range:
Food Habits: Herbivorous; feed on fruits, pollen and nectar.
Breeding Period: during spring season.
Number of eggs laid: 1-3 eggs.
Incubation period: about 25 days.
Lifespan: 10-20 years.
IUCN red list status: Least Concern.
CITES: Appendix II.
Indian Wildlife Protection Act: Not listed.
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittaculidae
Genus: Trichoglossus
Species: T. moluccanus
COMPLETE DETAILS ABOUT US FOR ANIMAL ENTHUSIASTS:
We are the colorful and beautiful Rainbow Lorikeets. We are native to Australia.We are scientifically called as Trichoglossus moluccanus.
HOW WE LOOK:
We are very colorful with a deep blue head, greenish-yellow collar, and deep green upper parts. Our chest is red in color and belly is deep green in color. The wings have yellow underparts and the beak is orange in color.
Visually, males and females look similar but when observed keenly sexual dimorphism can be seen which means males and females being different from each other. The young of our species have a black beak. We have body length from 25cm to 30cm and weigh 75gm-160gm.
WE ARE FOUND IN:
We are exclusively found in Australia, preferring scrublands, forest, and wetlands. In Australia, our range lies in Eastern Seaboards and southern seaboards.
WHAT WE EAT:
We are herbivores and mainly feed on fruits. We have a specially adapted tongue with which we can also feed on pollen and nectar.
OUR REPRODUCTION:
We are monogamous birds and live and travel in pairs. Our breeding period is usually during spring season but changes with the region, food availability and climate. We have nested at a variety of places like tall trees and sometimes alongside with other lorikeets. The female lays about 1-3 eggs at a time and has an incubation period of around 25 days. Only female takes care of her young. The young leave the mother after few weeks. Our expected lifespan is 10-20 years.
MORE ABOUT US:
We are aggressive and we defend our territories, feeding, and nesting areas.
We chase off other small birds and sometimes large birds.
OUR CONSERVATION:
We are abundantly available in our range and are widespread. We are under “Least concern” in the red list of IUCN. We are also listed in CITES Appendix II.
