Rainbow Lorikeet
Trichoglossus moluccanus· 长尾鹦鹉科(6 photos)
Rainbow Lorikeet
25-32 cm. Familiar large lorikeet of e. and se. Aust. has scarlet bill, streaky blue head, yellow-green nape, blue belly, and red-orange chest and 'trousers'. Immature: duller; bill blackish. Pairs to flocks: feeds noisily in foliage and blossoms of eucalypts, banksias, paperbarks, etc.; nectar-feeders in gardens. Raids ripe garden fruit, loquats, pears, etc. Gathers in noisy roosts. In flight looks fast, dark and colourful with swept wings and long, pointed tail: note red wing lining and yellow underwing-bar.
- Other name
- Blue Mountain Parrot; Red-collared Lorikeet.
- Similar Species
- Red-collared Lorikeet.
- Voice
- rolling musical screech, deeper than Musk Lorikeet; harsher screeches; raucous chatterings.
- Habitat
- rainforest, eucalypt forests, woodlands, paperbark woodlands, coastal banksia scrubs, heaths, mangroves, plantations, gardens, street trees.
- Breeding
- June-Jan. in e. Aust.
- Nest
- on decayed debris; in tree-hollow, often high.
- Eggs
- 2-3; white, oval.
- Range & Status
- coastal e. Aust. from C. York (Q) to Eyre Pen. (SA); vagrant Tas. Common to abundant. Established around Perth (WA) and elsewhere from releases or aviary escapes. Sedentary; nomadic.
- Distribution key to races
- 1. Trichoglossus moluccanus moluccanus 2. Trichoglossus moluccanus eyrei 3. Trichoglossus moluccanus septentrionalis
