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12

Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) Alternate name(s): "Blue Mountain Parrot", "Blue-bellied Lorikeet", "Coconut Lory" Aboriginal name(s): "kalingaR" [tjapwurrung] Size: 26-31 cm Weight: 75-157 g

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Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Rainbow Lorikeets are big lorikeets. Their plumage is very glossy and colourful. The head is scalloped blue, the nape of the neck is greenish-yellow, while the breast is scalloped red with yellow. The belly is dark-blue, while the vent is scalloped green and yellow and the undertail is yellow. The back (mantle, upperwings, tail) is green. The underwings have bright-red coverts and a black-yellow-black stripe pattern on the flight feathers. The bill is bright-red, the irises are orange and the legs and feet are dark-grey. Juveniles have duller colours than adults and a more brownish bill. Twitcher's tip Compared to Red-collared Lorikeets, Rainbow Lorikeets have a greenish-yellow nape of the neck and more yellow on the sides of the chest.

Taxonomy, classification See Rainbow Lorikeet at Wikipedia . Click here for classification information Red-collared Lorikeets (formerly race "rubritorquis" of the Rainbow Lorikeet) are now considered to be a separate species.

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Rainbow Lorikeet is available HERE . Apart from parts of the Australian continent, the range of Rainbow Lorikeets encompasses the islands of far south-eastern Asia, extending from eastern Indonesia and Timor Leste eastwards, including the Malaku Islands, West Papua, Papua and Papua New Guinea, and further to the Solomon Islands, Vanutu and New Caledonia. There are four races of Rainbow Lorikeets in Australia. They are found in a broad coastal strip along the East coast of Australia, extending well into the Great Dividing Range. Their range extends from Cape York peninsula in the North to the South coast, as far West as the Eyre Peninsula, SA. Nominate race "moluccanus" populates an area from just to the South of Cairns, QLD, to about Warrnambool, VIC. Westward of Warrnambool, VIC, race "eyrei" populates the near-coastal fringe. From about Cairns, QLD, northward, to the tip of Cape York peninsula and the southern-most islands along Torres Strait, race "septentrionalis" is found. The range of race "caeruleiceps" extends farther northward from there on, towards PNG. Rainbow Lorikeets are extending their range further inland from the (near-)coastal areas, making use of nectar on offer in gardens and parks of towns. Outside human settlements they are not found anywhere in the semi-arid or arid interior of the continent, unless in-transit from town to town. There is now also a stable introduced population of Rainbow Lorikeets in the Perth hills in WA. Rainbow Lorikeets can be found in various types of forest, where flowers and/or fruit are available. They adapt very well to the presence of humans and are found in urban parks and gardens. Where to look? How to find this species? Finding Rainbow Lorikeets is usually quite easy. They can often be found in urban parks and gardens, feeding on nectar in flowering trees. Hundreds of birds can be observed, if one knows where they roost (which they often do in urban environments. A flock of Rainbow Lorikeets settling in for the night can be an impressive sight (and sound spectacle...).

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "moluccanus" Rainbow Lorikeets, race "moluccanus", are a common sight e.g. in the suburbs of Sydney, NSW, where we first saw them in 2003. Since then, they are found by us - and reported by various contributors - along the entire eastern seaboard, in both NSW and QLD. Over the years, Rainbow Lorikeets, race "moluccanus", have colonised most towns along the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range, in both NSW and QLD. In those inland townships, they dominate parks and gardens. The farthest western locations from which Rainbow Lorikeets, race "moluccanus", have been reported to us are Gilgandra, NSW (M. Windeyer), and Coonabarabran, NSW (S. Grey), where they are seen regularly. R. Plumtree reports spotting Rainbow Lorikeets, race "moluccanus", near Hollands Landing, Lake Victoria, East Gippsland, VIC, in October 2014. D. Wilczynska reports finding Rainbow Lorikeets, race "moluccanus", in Melbourne, VIC, in March 2015. J. Greaves and C. Pears report spotting Rainbow Lorikeets regularly in and around Perth, WA, where they are introduced. Race "eyrei" J. Greaves reports spotting Rainbow Lorikeets, race "eyrei", on Kangaroo Island, SA, in March 2016. M. Eaton found Rainbow Lorikeets, race "eyrei", at the Botanical Gardens, Adelaide, SA, in April 2022. Race "septentrionalis" R. Russell reports seeing Rainbow Lorikeets, race "septentrionalis", regularly at Mount Molloy, QLD.

Photos

Race "moluccanus"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal portrait of a Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, November 2021]

Close-up frontal portrait of a Rainbow Lorikeet
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2023]

Close-up frontal portrait of a Rainbow Lorikeet looking sideways
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2023]

Frontal portrait of a Rainbow Lorikeet looking sideways (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, January 2015]

Frontal view of a Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Broadwater, near Dalby, QLD, January 2018]

Frontal view of a Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, November 2021]

Frontal view of a Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of M. Windeyer)
[Gilgandra, NSW, December 2013]

Close-up frontal/ventral view of a snoozing Rainbow Lorikeet
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2023]

Near-frontal view of a Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, November 2021]

Near-frontal view of a Rainbow Lorikeet checking its surroundings, head down
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2012]

Near-lateral portrait of a Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of M. Windeyer)
[Gilgandra, NSW, April 2014]

Near-lateral view of a Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, November 2021]

Lateral portrait of a Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of I. Duncan)
[South West Rocks, NSW, September 2012]

Close-up lateral view of a Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, May 2021]

Nope, no mistake in the processing of this Rainbow Lorikeet photo... (photo courtesy of M. Windeyer)
[Gilgandra, NSW, December 2013]

View onto the back of a Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Home Hill, QLD, September 2019]

View onto the back of a Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Home Hill, QLD, September 2019]

Direct comparison of a Rainbow Lorikeet with a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, October 2014]

Rainbow Lorikeets in flight
[Narrabri, NSW, April 2012]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, November 2013]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Rainbow Lorikeet, now seen preening (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, November 2013]

Close-up lateral portrait of a juvenile Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, November 2013]

Lateral view of a juvenile Rainbow Lorikeet in a flowering White Cedar tree
[Coonabarabran, NSW, November 2018]

Juvenile Rainbow Lorikeet in a flowering White Cedar tree begging to be fed
[Coonabarabran, NSW, November 2018]

This juvenile Rainbow Lorikeet has a particularly dark bill
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2017]

Immature Rainbow Lorikeet in flight (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, November 2013]

Adult Rainbow Lorikeet, left, with a dependent juvenile, right (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, October 2013]

Adult Rainbow Lorikeet, right, feeding one of two dependent juveniles, left (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, November 2013]

Two fledgling Rainbow Lorikeets in captivity

Race "eyrei"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of a Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Adelaide, SA, April 2022]

Near-frontal view of a Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Adelaide, SA, April 2022]

Race "septentrionalis"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Lateral view of a Rainbow Lorikeet taking nectar from a Grevillea (photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, July 2007]

Mob of Rainbow Lorikeets having a good time in the bird bath (photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, December 2012]

Even more Rainbow Lorikeets at the spa (photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, December 2012]

Rainbow Lorikeets licking leaves; it is not clear what it was after, water or possibly sap (photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, February 2017]

Possible hybrid with Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

A possible hybrid between a Rainbow Lorikeet and a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet was spotted by us in the township of Narrabri in September 2015. If not a hybrid, the bird could just be a colour morph, or an aviary escapee (bred variety).

Possible hybrid between a Rainbow Lorikeet and a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet; note the bluish cap and strong scaling on the breast resembling a Rainbow Lorikeet, while the rest of the bird's appearance is that of a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (in particular the absence of a yellowish-green nape of the neck)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2015]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Sep - Nov

Eggs: 2 - 3

Incubation period: 25 days

Fledging age: 49 - 63 days

The breeding season depends significantly on geographical latitude. Lorikeets are sociable creatures which often nest in loose colonies, also in conjunction with other species.

Rainbow Lorikeets working on the next generation; obviously, here the sexes can be determined - male on top...
(photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, June 2013]

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Tree hollow

Material: Wood dust

Height above ground: 5 - 30 m

Rainbow Lorikeets at the entrance to their nest hollow (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Port Macquarie, NSW, January 2021]

Rainbow Lorikeet at the entrance to its nest hollow (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, September 2015]

Rainbow Lorikeets at the entrance to their nest hollow (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, September 2015]

Rainbow Lorikeets at the entrance to their nest hollow (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Wynnum Wetlands, Brisbane, QLD, August 2017]

Rainbow Lorikeets inspecting a potential nest hollow (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2021]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 27 x 22 mm

Colour: White

Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal

Mobility: Dispersive

Elementary unit: Flock

Rainbow Lorikeets are gregarious, often noisy. Roosting colonies can count thousands of birds. Settling in for the night and also their early-morning departures are events that nobody in the neighbourhood will miss - the noise is almost deafening.

Like other cockatoos and parrots, Rainbow Lorikeets have a division of labour during the breeding season. The female takes care of the egg incubation, during which she is dependent on him to feed her near the nest hollow. Prior to incubating, the female will therefore test the male's willingness and ability to feed her in a bonding ritual.

Male Rainbow Lorikeet feeding his partner (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, August 2013]

These two Rainbow Lorikeets may also be bonding - "Rainbow Lambada" (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, May 2014]

Standoff at the bird feeder: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo vs. Rainbow Lorikeet (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, June 2013]

Those keeping birds as pets will know that they do sneeze. Here one caught in the act.

"Oi mate, I hope you haven't got bird flu!" - Rainbow Lorikeet sneezing (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, August 2014]

At the other end of the scale of emotions, Rainbow Lorikeets can squabble with the best of them.

Three Rainbow Lorikeets pecking each other while hanging head down
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, March 2022]

Three Rainbow Lorikeets pecking each other
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, March 2022]

Food, Diet

Rainbow Lorikeets feed on fruit, nectar and seeds.

Close-up view of a Rainbow Lorikeet licking up nectar
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2021]

Close-up view of a Rainbow Lorikeet licking up nectar from a Bottlebrush (Callistemon)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2023]

Rainbow Lorikeet feeding on the nectar of a Callistemon flower (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, October 2011]

Rainbow Lorikeet feeding on the nectar of an ironbark eucalypt
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2021]

Rainbow Lorikeet feeding on the nectar of an ironbark eucalypt
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2021]

Lateral view of a Rainbow Lorikeet feeding on the nectar of a (Mugga?) ironbark eucalypt
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, August 2015]

Two "Connoisseur" Rainbow Lorikeets feeding on flour right from the back of a delivery truck
[Wyong, NSW, July 2013]

Frontal view of a Rainbow Lorikeet feeding on bread crumbs in an urban park
[Kempsey, NSW, October 2013]

Lateral view of two Rainbow Lorikeets feeding on bread crumbs in an urban park
[Kempsey, NSW, October 2013]

These Rainbow Lorikeets like to nibble the buds off the flower stands of introduced palm trees (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Ashmore, Gold Coast, QLD, April 2015]

Here an example of Rainbow Lorikeets scavenging minced meat originally put out for other, carnivorous birds (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, December 2013]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

rainlor_art_20131110.m4a	moluccanus (SE QLD)	Contact calls	© ART
rainlor_20230222.mp3	moluccanus (NE NSW)	Contact calls (in-flight)	© MD
rainlor_20191004.m4a	moluccanus (NE NSW)	Contact calls (in-flight)	© MD
rainlor_20140424_2.mp3	moluccanus (NW NSW)	Q&A (in flight)	© MD
rainlor_20230401.mp3	moluccanus (NW NSW)	Alarm/departure (pair)	© MD
rainlor_20230521.mp3	moluccanus (NW NSW)	Annoyed calls	© MD
rainlor_art_20131112.m4a	moluccanus (NW NSW)	Feeding calls	© ART
rainlor_art_20131115.m4a	moluccanus (SE QLD)	Begging calls (juvenile)	© ART
rainlor_20151030.mp3	moluccanus (Sydney, NSW)	Begging calls (juvenile)	© MD
rainlor_20150811.m4a	moluccanus (Sydney, NSW)	Begging calls (immature)	© MD
rainlor_20150327.m4a	moluccanus (NE NSW)	Settling in for the night	© MD
rainlor_20140423_5.mp3	moluccanus (NW NSW)	Various	© MD

Click here for more recordings

We have also been able to record Rainbow Lorikeet wingbeats.

rainlor_20230521_2.mp3

moluccanus (NW NSW)

Diving out of tree

© MD

More Rainbow Lorikeet sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.

Disclaimer: Comments are always welcome. We give no guarantee that the information presented on these pages is always correct or up-to-date. External links are marked as such and we take no responsibility for the contents of external pages. All images on this site are protected by copyright & used by permission of the respective owners. If you wish to reproduce them or any of the material presented on this web site, please contact us: We hereby acknowledge the original custodians of the land which is described on these pages, including the Gomeroi/Gamilaraay people of the North-west Slopes and Plains of NSW, and the traditional owners of other lands and nations within this country. We acknowledge elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.          Last updated: Thu, 21 September 2023, 1:46 +00:00