Vibrantly brilliant rainbow lorikeets are sweet natured long-lived, medium-sized parrots that get just over a foot long from beak to the tail feathers. They are busybodies that like to be in the midst of the action and not shy. These birds will let you know when it needs attention like a puppy or any other pet. If you’re looking for a laid-back bird, this may not be the right bird for you. Here are some other rainbow lorikeets facts:

Did You Know These Rainbow Lorikeet Facts?

How long do rainbow lorikeets live for?

Rainbow lorikeets have a lifespan of around 10 to 30 years. Tropical lorikeets live up to 30 years. 

How can you tell if a rainbow lorikeet is male or female?

Rainbow lorikeets are one of the most colorful species kept as companion birds. They have a slender build similar to Asiatic parakeets, such as the Indian ringneck parakeet or Alexandrine parakeet. Their faces and bellies sport a deep blue plumage with green feathers on their wings, backs, and heads. They have bright red breasts with highlights of yellow and orange on the sides. Their bright red beaks offset against the blue hues of their facial feathers, and they have dark, grayish-black skin on their feet.

You cannot tell males and females apart by appearance. To determine sex, the bird needs genetic testing or a surgical sexing procedure. With identical features and coloration, it’s impossible to discern a male lorikeet from a female. If you have a pair of the same age, the male will usually be slightly larger. 

To know for certainty, have your veterinarian perform a DNA test using droppings or feathers.

Are rainbow lorikeets good pets?

Exotic rainbow lorikeets are excellent pets for those who have plenty of free time to spend with them. 

The rainbow lorikeet is native to coastal regions from northern Queensland to Southern Australian along the eastern coastline. Colonies of rainbow lorikeets have since been established in Perth in western Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. The rainbow lorikeet lives in the trees of the rainforest, the bush, and the woodlands. Rainbow lorikeets can fly up to 40 miles in a day to find food and are quite often noisy flocks of one or two dozen birds.

Such exotic birds are lovely to play with and need to be provided with plenty of toys to keep their minds and beaks busy. These birds need a large flight cage or aviary. The minimum size for a cage should be 4 feet long by 2 feet wide and 3 feet tall. The cage should be sturdy, metal construction—steer clear of wooden cages, which can be torn apart by their beaks.

When choosing a location for a lorikeet’s cage, it’s essential to place the cage in an area where there is no carpet and where the floors and walls can be easily wiped clean. Many people line their walls with plastic sheeting to protect their walls due to the bird droppings. This smart species can be potty trained to control where the bird does its toileting.

What do rainbow lorikeets eat?

Unlike other parrots, lorikeets survive in the wild mainly on nectar and flower pollen. If you look inside of a lorikeet’s mouth, you’ll notice that their tongues have uniquely adapted “brushes” on the tips to help them harvest these foods from the plants in their environment.

In captivity, lorikeet owners feed their pets either commercially available or homemade nectar mixes, which must be prepared fresh two to three times daily. Start by offering 1/4 cup per feeding—give more if they finish quickly and are looking for more. These birds are usually eating for at least three hours throughout the day.

A pet lorikeet’s diet should have oats, fresh fruit, edible organic flowers, and green vegetables twice daily. Do not feed them any citrus fruits and discard any uneaten food after three to four hours to avoid improper digestion. Provide fresh water every day. Do not feed this bird a seed or pellet mix or else it can damage this bird’s delicate brush-like tongue. Also, avoid foods like avocado, chocolate, coffee, rhubarb, and alcohol; they are toxic to all birds.

Since a lorikeet’s diet consists mainly of sugary nectars that are prone to bacterial growth, clean their food cups within two hours of feeding to prevent bacterial infections.

Are lorikeets cuddly?

Little lorikeets have charmed many pet owners all over the world for their friendly demeanor, as well as their love for tricks and cuddles. Rainbow lorikeets are sweet, affectionate birds that are known for their comical antics and friendly personalities. This makes them great pets. 

In general, these birds are friendly, easy to socialize, and value interaction with their human keepers. Hand-feed these young birds during their training. They will become acclimated to human touch and may be less nippy.  This bird is a highly intelligent bird that can learn tricks and other behaviors. Because it’s so smart, it is also a capable escape artist. Cage door locks are a must.

Smartness aside, did you know that lories do not cuddle with other bird species? They are incredibly territorial. They can become vicious with birds of their species and should never be left unsupervised with other birds.

Are lorikeets talkative? 

Rainbow lorikeets are excellent talkers, and they can learn to say many words and phrases. They are noisy birds and have a high-pitched tone with frequent squawks. Their sometimes shrill vocalizations can be abrasive and unpleasant to some people. This bird is not the ideal pet for people who have close neighbors who are sensitive to loud sounds.