Rainbow Lorikeet

Native Australian rainbow lorikeets are brightly coloured birds. The lorikeet is different to other parrots. Lorikeets live on a liquid diet of nectar and fruit, all other parrots eat a varied diet of seeds, fruits, vegetables and protein.

Lorikeets are blossom feeders. These birds feed primarily on nectar and pollen by breaking the flower open with their sharp beaks. Lorikeets also feed on grains, fruit, native berries, leaf buds and insects. The birds sometimes eat what is not good for them.

Lorikeets have small hairs on their tongues. Pollen sticks to the hairs but if lorikeets eat seeds these small hairs wear down and stops the bird from eating pollen. Lorikeets are cavity nesters, they live in hollow limbs or trunks of dead or living trees.