. rainbow lorikeet
Rainbow
Lorikeets are often available from
Burwood Pets & Birds
(03) 9809 1212 |
Burwood Pets &
Birds
1415 Toorak Rd Camberwell, 3124 |
- An Australian Lorikeet
(Click on photo to enlarge)
- Scientific Name: Trichoglossus haematodus moluccanus
- Common Name/s:
RAINBOW LORIKEET, SWAINSON'S LORIKEET
- Sub Species in country / area of origin:
About 20 Trichoglossus
haematodus sub-species in Australia, New Guinea and surrounding
islands. In Australian aviaries: T. h. moluccanus (Rainbow lorikeet) & T. h. rubritorquis (Red
collared Lorikeet)
- Origin / Distribution: Australia,
New Guinea, Indonesia and some of the Pacific islands
- Habitat In Wild: Diverse
including suburban environments.
- Status In Wild: Common.
Has adapted well to suburban parks and gardens.
- Status In (Australian) Captivity:
Common
- Age To Sexual Maturity: 18 - 24
months
- Lifespan (estimate): approx. 15
or more years
- Sexing: Monomorphic / Dimorphic
- Colour mutations: Yes
- Availability: Pet shops and bird
dealers
- Temperament: Most popular of the
lorikeets in captivity. Suitable bird for those wanting to start
keeping lorikeets. They are generally hardy and long lived. Good
breeders. Best kept one pair per aviary. Rainbow
Lorikeets like the company of people and are often kept as a
companion bird or pet.
- Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: -
Normal colour (Approx.) $70
- Description Of Adults: Largest of
the Australian lorikeets
- Length: Approx. 310 mm (or approx 12.5 inches)
- Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer
photo above -
top right of page. (Click on photo to enlarge).
- Weight: Approx. 140 gms (or approx 5 ozs)
- Photo courtesy of Burwood Pets and Birds (03) 9889 6469.
Aviary
Notes:
Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist
Breeders Only.
Government Regulations & By-Laws:
Refer to " Government Laws " web page.
Housing Requirements: Refer to "
Lorikeets & Lories " web page for general
details on the housing of Lorikeets & Lories or read on for specific
details for this parrot.
Best kept one pair per aviary due to their aggressive nature.
Has been successful as a colony in a large
aviary. Young can be the subject of attack in a colony situation
and may have to be removed as soon as they fledge. Not to be housed with the Red
collared Lorikeet or the Scaly breasted
Lorikeet due to the possibility of hybridization.
A suspended cage is popular for these birds. An aviary of about 3
metres (10 feet) long is ideal for these birds. Suspended cage
size should be at least 1200mm long, 900mmwide and 1200mm high (4 x 3 x
4 ft). The suspended cage can
also be about 3 metres long.
A wide range of bird toys and "bird gyms" can be seen at good retail
bird dealers and pet shops. Bird toys and "bird gyms" can be
placed in an outdoor aviary not just indoor cages. Most parrots,
including Lorikeets, love to play with bird toys and "bird gyms" and it
gives them a reason to be active and entertain themselves. Along with
the physical activity, it also gives them some mental exercise and
mental stimulation i.e. environmental enrichment.
The Rainbow Lorikeet is best kept
as one pair per aviary but has been successful in a colony in a large
aviary.
Not to be housed with the Red collared lorikeet or the Scaly
breasted lorikeet due to the possibility of hybridization.
Diet / Feeding: Refer to "
Lorikeets & Lories " web page for general
details on the feeding of Lorikeets & Lories or read on for specific
details for this parrot.
As per "Lorikeets & Lories" web
page.
Typical lorikeet diet is required.
Many quality commercial dry mixes are available from bird dealers, pet
shops and bird clubs. The
use of wet and dry mix requires daily attention to thorough cleaning and
hygiene. Abide by the "use by date" and store according to the
manufacturers directions. Special attention has to be paid to the
water bowl as lories and lorikeets often deposit food into the water
bowl. The wet food mix should be removed from the cage before
dark. The birds should not have access to wet foods left in a cage
overnight. Dry food mix must always be available.
The Rainbow Lorikeet is partial to fruits such as apple and
pear. These fruits are crushed in the beak and the juice is consumed and the
non fluid portion discarded. The flowers from non-toxic native trees and shrubs
such as Grevillia, Callistemon and eucalypt can be placed in the aviary for the
birds to play with and obtain some nutritional value.
Nesting: A basic overview only. Dimensions
are typical / average and can vary widely, influenced by the owner's
preferences and the birds preferences. Parent bird's preferences can
also be influenced by the size and type of nest-box / log in which the
bird was hatched and reared. If space allows, offering a choice of
sizes and types of logs or nest-boxes, and placed in various locations
within the aviary, can allow the parent birds to make their own choice.
Once a pair has chosen a specific nest-box/log and been successful in
it, offer that one to them each breeding season. Try and keep that one
for their exclusive use. Once a pair has chosen its log or nest-box,
the other ones can generally be removed. If the "spare" boxes are to be
removed and moved to another flight, ensure the log / nest-box is
cleaned to ensure the receptacle has the minimal contamination of mites,
parasites and pathogens.
- Nesting months: July to
December. May breed year round if conditions are suitable.
- Log / Nest-box:
- Length
/ depth 300 mm (or approx. 12 inches)
- Log internal
diameter approx. 200 mm. (or approx. 8
inches)
- Nest-box internal dimensions approx. 200
mm square (or approx. 8 inches square)
- Diameter of
entrance
hole approx. 55 - 60 mm (or approx. 2.25 - 2.5 inches)
- Inspection hole (square or round)
100 mm
(or approx 4 inches)
- A removable top / lid can be a
useful access point for inspections and for cleaning.
- Location and height
of log / nest-box = in a sheltered part of the aviary and at about
1.5 - 1.8 metres height, but not too close to the roof to cause heat
problems in the hotter months.
- Angle of log or nest box = Usually a vertical
nestbox.
- Nesting log / nest-box material:
Decomposed non-toxic saw dust, wood shavings or other suitable
material/s.
- Who incubates the egg/s:
Hen
/ cock / both share.
Nest boxes are easy to clean, cheap
and easy to replace when they become soiled or damaged. The nest box is left in the aviary or
suspended cage year round as Lories and Lorikeets will roost in the nest during the
non-breeding season. Timber nest-boxes generally
require a climbing structure attached inside the box below the entrance
hole. Both logs and nests need an entrance hole/opening of between 50 -
80mm diameter and about 100 mm (about 4 inches) from the top. The exact
size of the entrance hole depends on the size of the species. Many
species of parrots like the entrance hole to be just big enough to
squeeze through. An appropriate size entrance hole will help to give the
birds a feeling of security and confidence to effectively start and
raise a clutch of young.
More details on
parrot nestboxes/logs and a selection of
parrot nestbox/log photos
can be found on the "nests", "parrot nests"
and "parrot nestbox photos"
web pages. Click on "Up" then "Nests" then "parrot nests"
and "parrot nestbox photos" in
the navigation bars.
Breeding: Egg Colour
White. Clutch/s per year 2, or more if
conditions are suitable. Eggs per nest 2. Incubation
approx. 24 days. Fledge approx. 8 - 9 weeks.
Independent approx. another 1 - 2 weeks.
Nest inspection of the Rainbow lorikeet is easy and generally well tolerated especially in
birds housed in cages.
Pair bonding is generally strong. Aggression can often be
observed between newly introduced birds and if a pair (particularly the
hen) is not compatible, injury or death of one bird can occur.
Most parent Rainbow Lorikeets are tolerant of nest inspections and will allow the
nest material to be changed while the young are still in the nest if the
nest is fouled by the babies waste. Wet, cold and probably smelly
nest material can be detrimental to the health and growth of the young
and its removal and the placement of new nest material is worth the
effort.
Generally good prolific breeders.
Both parent birds feed the young.
Young can be hand raised for the pet or
companion bird trade.
Artificial incubation and hand
rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site. It is
too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.
Health Issues: Refer to "Avian
Health Issues" web page for information and references.
- Worming and parasite control
and Quarantine requirements of new bird/s or sick bird/s are
considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on
this web site. Refer "Avian Health Issues"
web page option.
- Avian medicine is advancing
at a rapid pace. Keep updating your knowledge and skills.
General
References: Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.
Specific
References:
- Australian Aviculture
- A/A Vol 56 No. 9 Sept 2002 Page197-199 (Inc photo)
- A/A Vol 53 No. 2 Feb 1999 Page 31-36
- A/A Vol 35 No. 10
Oct 1981 Page 220-221
- A/A Vol 28 No. 12 Dec 1974 Page
184-185
- A/A Vol 28 No. 11 Nov 1974 Page
169-170
- A/A Vol 26 No. 10
Oct 1972 Page 173-175 (Inc photo)
- A/A Vol 22 No 9 Sept 1968 Page 136-138.
- A/A Vol 12 No 7 Jul 1958 Page 89-92.
- A/A Vol 12 No 5 May 1958 Page 64-67.
- A/A Vol 7 No 7 Jul 1953 Page 78.
- Australian Birdkeeper
- ABK Vol 18 Issue 9. Jun-Jul 2005 Page 534-537 (Dilute melanistic
mutation ?).
- ABK Vol 15 Issue 2. Apr-May 2002 Page 91-93
(Part 2).
- ABK Vol 15 Issue 1 .Feb-Mar 2002 Page 25-29 (Part 1).
- ABK Vol 14 Issue 9. Jun-Jul 2001 Page 487-491
- ABK Vol 13 Issue 2. Apr-May 2000 Page 99
- ABK Vol 12 Issue 7. Feb-Mar 1999 Page 329-330
- ABK Vol 10 Issue 7. Feb-Mar1997 Page 326-329
- ABK Vol 6 Issue 7. Feb-Mar 1993 Page 321-326
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