Rainbow Lorikeet

Rainbow lorikeets are a kind of parrot.

They live in forests and gardens.

Their feathers are very colourful.

They eat have a brush tongue to get nectar from flowers.

They fly fast and make a lot of noise.

The rainbow lorikeet is a species, or kind, of parrot.
There are several kinds of rainbow lorikeet.

Habitat and Distribution (where they are found)
This colourful bird is found along the eastern and northeastern part of Australia in forests, woodlands and even in suburban gardens where there are suitable big trees.

Appearance and Behaviours
One of the most colourful of Australia's parrots, the rainbow lorikeet has a dark blue head with a yellowy green collar. It has a red beak. Its belly is violet and its chest orange. Its back and tail are green and when its wings are stretched, they are orange underneath. There are yellow patches on their thighs. They are about 32 cm long, including tail. Males and females look alike.

Rainbow lorikeets make a continuous loud screeching, chattering call. They cluster in groups and swoop from tree to tree calling out loudly.

Diet and Feeding
The tip of a rainbow lorikeet's tongue is like a stiff brush. It uses this brush tip to get nectar and pollen from inside blossoms and other flowers. They sometimes eat fruits, seeds and insects.

Life Cycle
The rainbow lorikeet breeds August- January, although it may breed almost year round in the tropical north. They nest in a hollow in a tree near water. The female lays two, occasionally three, eggs which take 23 days to hatch.The male spends a great deal of time in the hollow, but does not appear to sit on the eggs. Both parents feed the young, which leave the nest after 8 weeks.


Click here to find out how to attract rainbow lorikeets to your garden
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/backyard_buddies_lorikeets


Acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
Rainbow Lorikeets (2000). [Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au

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Updated August 2007