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DESCRIPTION
11 to 12 inches (28 to 30cm). Patched in a variety of colours. Violet
to blue head and belly. Yellow on back of head and mixed with green shades
on back and wings. Breast red with yellow. Undertail coverts and underside
of tail yellow and green. Underwing coverts orange. Eyes orange-red, beak
orange-red, legs greenish-grey.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION
Northeastern Australia and nearby areas, one of 21 subspecies scattered
over the southwest Pacific.
HABITAT
Rainbow Lorikeet likes lowlands, savannahs, woodlands, secondary forests,
along water, up to 6,500 feet (2,000m), in pairs or small (noisy) flocks
of 5 to 20 birds. Avoids ground, prefers to bathe in damp foliage or rain.
Broods in tree hollows. Spends the night in great communal roosts, maybe
of thousands.
DIET
Rainbow Lorikeet likes Fruits, insects, pollen, nectar (they are important
pollinators of coconut flowers), sunflower seeds, oats, ripened grain,
canary-grass seeds, spray millet, buckwheat, apples, grapes, carrots,
mealworms.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Keep in pairs in a long aviary with a roomy night shelter, temperature
at 75°F (24°C). Facilities for bathing and perching. Does not
get on with other species.
CAGE LIFE
Prolific breeder. Digs holes in ground or nest boxes 10 X 10 X 18 inches
(25 X 25 X 45cm), entrance V/2 inches (9cm). Lays 2 eggs, incubation
24 to 26 days, fledging 75 to 80 days.
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