Lorikeets are very colorful, playful birds. There are a number of varieties, but not all are kept as pets. They are sometimes called honeyeaters as their favorite food is nectar.
Lorikeets can be found in the East Indies area and western Pacific including 7 species in Australia. Most lorikeets are green with red and yellow patches, but can have feathers of other colors of the rainbow.
The Tropical Lorikeets are larger than the Australian variety. The smaller ones are about 19 cm., while the larger birds are 30 cm. The smaller variety have a lifespan of 10 years; the larger, 20-25 years. The larger lorikeets (Rainbow and Red Collared) are noisy, but they will learn to talk. Hand-reared males make the best talkers. See more: Teach Your Bird to Talk
All lorikeets love music and will dance to any tune. They bond strongly with their human and make excellent pets.
It’s best to keep Lorikeets in their own cage with their own species. Some may not get along with another species as they can be quite territorial. And their special diet makes it difficult to house with other birds.
Lorikeets should have a large cage. A single bird’s cage should be at least 36 in. high, 48 in. long and 24 in. wide. Since they love to play, they should be provided with lots of toys including healthy chew toys and of course, food and water dishes and a cuttlebone.
Diet consists mainly of nectar, flowers, fruits, some vegetables and some seeds. Liquid nectar needs to be replaced several times daily, every 4 hours in warm weather. All flowers (pansies, roses, hibiscus, nasturtiums, marigolds and dandelions), fruits and vegetables should be pesticide-free, organic if possible. Never feed a bird avocados.
Due to their diet, Lorikeets are very messy. Since these birds may squirt their waste matter, attention to placement of the cage is important. Choose an area free of drafts, out of direct sunlight and easy to clean.
If you are willing to devote the time to the Lorikeet, it is a wonderful companion.
