Rainbow Lorikeet

Description:

The rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) is a species of Australasian parrot found in Australia. Their feathers really are all the colours of the rainbow, maybe excepting true purple! They are monogamous and pair for life. There were several pairs of these very colourful birds feeding on these banksia flowers.

Habitat:

Coastal melaleuca forest.

Notes:

Rainbow lorikeets often travel together in pairs and occasionally respond to calls to fly as a flock, then disperse again into pairs. Rainbow lorikeet pairs defend their feeding and nesting areas aggressively against other rainbow lorikeets and other bird species. They chase off not only smaller birds such as the noisy miner, but also larger and more powerful birds such as the Australian magpie. Rainbow lorikeets feed mainly on fruit, pollen and nectar, and possess a tongue adapted especially for their particular diet.