The rainbow colored bird commonly referred to in English speaking countries is the rainbow lorikeet. The rainbow lorikeet gets its name from its beautifully bright and multi-colored plumage featuring various colors of the rainbow. This unique and striking bird is native to Australia but has also been introduced to other parts of the world such as New Zealand and some Pacific Islands. In this article, we will explore the characteristics of the rainbow lorikeet including its appearance, habitat, diet, behavior, and taxonomy. We will also look at some quick facts and frequently asked questions about this colorful parrot species.
Appearance and Coloration
The most obvious and distinguishing feature of the rainbow lorikeet is its vibrant, multi-hued plumage. Almost every color of the rainbow is represented in its feathers. The head is a deep blue, the belly is orange/yellow, the tail is greenish with yellow tips, the wings are green with yellow and blue bands, the thighs are purple/violet, and the beak is bright red with a purple-blue tip. Some of the feather colors can vary slightly with age and between different regional populations.
The colorful feathers of the rainbow lorikeet are very bright and metallic looking. When sunlight hits them, it brings out an iridescent sheen. Young juvenile birds start out with a simpler greenish coloration until their adult plumage grows in within the first year. Adults average about 30cm in length from the beak to their tail tip. Their wingspan is approximately 20cm. They weigh between 120-130 grams on average.
Habitat and Distribution
Rainbow lorikeets are naturally found in the coastal and woodland areas across the northern and eastern parts of Australia including Tasmania. They tend to inhabit areas along the eastern coast where there is plenty of food availability and suitable nesting sites. You can spot them in both wet and dry woodlands as well as tropical rainforests.
Though rainbow lorikeets are native to Australia, they have been introduced to other regions. Today wild populations exist in New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Palau, Hong Kong, and Singapore. They have also been introduced in some parts of Western Australia where they were not originally found.
Diet
Rainbow lorikeets are primarily nectarivores, meaning that nectar makes up the majority of their diet. Their brush-tipped tongue helps them feed on the nectar from various flowers and blossoms. They also consume the pollen and fruit of plants and trees such as berries, seeds, figs, and apples. They will occasionally eat some insects for protein as well.
Some of the common native Australian plants that wild rainbow lorikeets feed on include:
- Eucalyptus
- Melaleuca
- Grevillea
- Banksia
In habitats where they have been introduced, rainbow lorikeets will forage on both native and non-native food sources. They readily adapt to feed on flowers and fruits provided in backyards and gardens.
Behavior
Rainbow lorikeets are very social and active birds. They are noisy and gregarious, spending a lot of time interacting vocally in the treetops with conspecifics. They have a swift direct flight pattern with quick wing beats. But they can also maneuver adeptly through trees and brush.
You’ll observe them congregating in flocks of ten to several dozen birds. They will fly back and forth to favored food sources during the day in noisy groups. At night, rainbow lorikeets will settle down to roost communally in large numbers at their nesting or sleeping sites.
In the wild, the highest population densities of rainbow lorikeets are found in their roosting areas. They exhibit important flocking behavior which helps them locate favorable food sources and maintain group cohesion. Rainbow lorikeets will play and squabble amongst each other and groom one another frequently.
Interestingly, in captivity, rainbow lorikeets often mimic speech and human noises quite well. But in the wild, their most common vocalizations are high-pitched chattering, squeaking, and whistling sounds.
Breeding and Nesting
The breeding season for rainbow lorikeets depends on their geographic range. In southern Australia, they typically mate between August to January. In northern tropical regions mating can occur from April to September.
Rainbow lorikeets generally nest in the hollows of eucalyptus and other trees at a height of 3 to 30 meters above the ground. Occasionally they will use palm trunk hollows or crevices in logs for nest sites as well. Mated pairs will defend their nesting territory from others.
Female rainbow lorikeets lay between 1 to 3 small white eggs in each clutch. The eggs take about 3 weeks to hatch. Both parents share brooding and feeding of the young nestlings. Young fledge at 6 to 7 weeks old but remain closely associated with their parents over several months.
Taxonomy and Classification
Here are some key facts about the taxonomy and classification of the rainbow lorikeet:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Psittaciformes
- Family: Psittaculidae
- Genus: Trichoglossus
- Species: Trichoglossus moluccanus
- Binomial name: Trichoglossus moluccanus
There are numerous subspecies of rainbow lorikeet that have some regional variations in size and color patterns. The main described subspecies are:
- T. moluccanus moluccanus
- T. moluccanus septentrionalis
- T. moluccanus cyanogrammus
- T. moluccanus mitchellii
Rainbow lorikeets belong to the parrot superfamily within Psittaciformes. They are most closely related to the genera of parrots known as lories and lorikeets.
Fun Facts
Here are some interesting facts about the beautiful rainbow lorikeet:
- The record lifespan for a rainbow lorikeet is over 20 years, but the average is 10-15 years in the wild.
- They brush their colorful feathers daily by preening which helps keep them bright.
- Rainbow lorikeets can be taught to speak and whistle tunes.
- Both the male and female make a “tchick” call to defend their nest hollow.
- During breeding season, only the female incubates the eggs, but both parents feed the young.
- Red nectar from rainbow lorikeet feedings can stain outdoor surfaces under trees.
- Rainbow lorikeets get all the liquid they need from nectar so they don’t need to drink water.
- Flocks fly quickly over treetops but only about 10 km each day to find food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions that people have about rainbow lorikeets:
What is a group of rainbow lorikeets called?
A group of rainbow lorikeets can be called a “chatter” or a “colony” of lorikeets. They are also sometimes referred to as a “rainbow” of lorikeets!
Why are rainbow lorikeets so colorful?
Their bright varied coloring is thought to play a role in partner bonding, individual recognition, camouflage, and intimidating potential predators. The pigmentation comes from what the birds eat.
Where can rainbow lorikeets be found in the wild?
Rainbow lorikeets are naturally found along the northeast coast of Australia. They inhabit wooded habitats like tropical rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests, and woodlands.
What threats do rainbow lorikeets face?
Habitat destruction reduces their natural range. Nest predators like snakes and lizards prey on eggs and nestlings. Cats and foxes kill many, but car strikes are the highest cause of unnatural death.
Do rainbow lorikeets make good pets?
They can be affectionate pets but require lots of specialized care, room to fly outdoors, nearly constant company, and a varied diet. They are very noisy!
Why are there rainbow lorikeets in Hawaii if they are from Australia?
Rainbow lorikeets were originally introduced to Oahu, Hawaii in the 1920s and have since established breeding populations on all major Hawaiian islands.
Can rainbow lorikeets be taught to talk?
Yes! In captivity, rainbow lorikeets are adept mimics and can be taught to speak many words and phrases when trained patiently and positively.
Conclusion
The rainbow lorikeet is a small but extremely vibrant and colorful parrot native to Australia. Its lovely multi-hued plumage makes it a stand out among birds. Rainbow lorikeets are highly social, frequent treetop feeders, and playful companions when habituated to humans. Both wild populations in their native and introduced ranges, as well as captive bred birds, continue to delight people with their beauty around the world. With proper habitat conservation, this uniquely feathered species will hopefully brighten the landscapes it inhabits for years to come.