• An Australian Lorikeet
• Scientific Name: Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus
• Common Name/s: SCALY BREASTED LORIKEET.
• Sub Species in country / area of origin: No
• Origin / Distribution: East coast of Australia from about Cooktown, north Queensland, south to the Illawarra District of New South Wales. Some birds can be seen flying free in Melbourne, Victoria.
• Habitat In Wild: Mainly a lowland bird that frequent the flowering or fruiting trees and shrubs to obtain their foods. They are nomadic birds. The scaly breasted lorikeet may be extending their range south due to the planting of suitable flowering plants and the offering of foods by urban households.
• Status In Wild: Secure
• Status In (Australian) Captivity: Common
• Age To Sexual Maturity: Hens at about12 months, Cock birds at about 18 months.
• Lifespan (estimate): approx. 15 or more years
• Sexing: Monomorphic / Dimorphic.  Surgical or DNA sexing may be required.
• Colour mutations: Yes
• Availability: Pet shops and bird dealers
• Temperament: Suitable bird for those wanting to start keeping lorikeets. They are generally hardy and long lived and good breeders. Best kept one pair per aviary as they can be aggressive. They are active playful birds.
• Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $70
• Description Of Adults:

1. Length: Approx. 230 mm (or approx. 9 inches)
2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo/s above if available.
3. Weight: Approx. 85 - 90 gms (or approx  3 ozs)

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.  Can be housed as a colony in an aviary.  Not to be housed with the Rainbow Lorikeet or the Red collared 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 suspended cage allows for easy cleaning of the cage and surrounding area.

They may sleep in the nest box year round.  This will give them some protection in winter and during periods of bad weather.

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.

They love to bathe.

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.

In the wild the natural diet of the scaly breasted lorikeet includes seeds, fruits, berries, pollen, nectar and flowers.

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 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: March to December.  May breed any month of the year 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 vertical.
• 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.
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 1 or 2.  Eggs per nest 2.  Incubation approx 22 - 24 days.  Fledge approx 8 - 9 weeks.  Independent approx. another 2 - 3 weeks.

The hen scaly breasted lorikeet feeds the young for the first 10 or so days and after that both parent birds will feed the young.

Generally good prolific breeders.

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 55 No. 5 May 2001 Page 102-106
• A/A Vol 29 No. 1 Jan 1975 Page 8-11
• A/A Vol 27 No. 12 Dec 1973 Page 208-209
• A/A Vol 26 No. 10 Oct 1972 Page 170-173 (Inc photo)
• 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 16 Issue 11. Oct-Nov 2003 Page 626-629.
• ABK Vol 14 Issue 9. Jun-Jul 2001 Page 487-491
• ABK Vol 12 Issue 7. Feb-Mar 1999 Page 326-328

Top of - scaly breasted lorikeet - Page