Trichoglossus haematodus
Description
Size: 250-320mm
Sexes are similar. Colourful small parrot with a streaky blue head, red eye, scarlet bill. Yellow-green nape, red-orange chest and a blue belly. Wings and tail are a mid-green.
Call
A rolling, musical screech. Raucous chatterings.
Distribution
Several races, widespread across the north, east and south of the mainland.
Nesting
Needs tree hollows in which to breed, from June to January.
Habits
A blossom feeder that inhabits a wide range of forest types – eucalypt, banksia, paperbarks, etc. They may travel as much as 50km to their favourite feeding ground. Rainbow Lorikeets are almost always in pairs or small groups. At the end of the day, Rainbow Lorikeets fly to their communal roost sites. Common, often abundant, usually nomadic as they chase the blossoming patterns of native vegetation.