Rainbow Lorikeet

The Rainbow Lorikeet is a very brightly colored bird that lives in the forests and woodland areas of Northern and Eastern Australia.

They have short curved beaks, and small feet with two toes that aim frontward, while another two, on the back of the foot aim backward.

The Rainbow Lorikeet is known for its screeching cries to others of its species.

Two Rainbows
Two Rainbows

The Rainbow Lorikeet eats primarily pollen
The Rainbow Lorikeet eats primarily pollen

The Rainbow Lorkieet eats nectar and pollen from the blossoms of Australian plants and will fly low over the trees like a miniature bomber, searching for the food it requires.

They will also take in some types of fruit and insects, normally feeding for the most part in the early morning and late afternoon.

The Lorikeet has a very sharp point on the end of its curvy beak that they will use to rip at the fruits of flowers, to get at the pollen or juice, which they then lick up using a tongue that looks very much like a small paintbrush, and lifts the nectar to their mouths.

When breeding season arrives, the Lorikeet will make a nest from sawdust and nest inside a hollow tree.
The Lorikeet will nearly always make their nests near water.

The Female Lorikeet will lay two or three small eggs that are white and very nearly perfectly round, and will incubate them until they hatch, which takes about twenty five days time.

When the eggs hatch the chicks are completely naked, born without any feathers.

Both male and female Lorikeets will feed the chicks and the hatchlings are completely dependent on the parent birds for as long as 6 weeks.

In 8 weeks, the chicks will become feathered, and will be ready to fly.

Usually between 8 and 10 weeks the chicks are ready to fly and leave the nest.

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