. varied lorikeet
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- An Australian Lorikeet
- Scientific Name: Psitteuteles versicolor
- Common Name/s:
VARIED LORIKEET
- Sub Species:
None
- Origin / Distribution:
Northern Australia. From the Kimberley Ranges of Western
Australia across to the coast of North-East Queensland.
- Habitat In Wild: Tropical
lowlands. Frequent wooded country that has flowering or
fruiting trees and shrubs. In some parts of their range the
birds are nomadic following the supply of flowering trees and
shrubs.
- Status In Wild: Secure
- Status In (Australian) Captivity:
Secure
- Age To Sexual Maturity: 12 - 14
months
- Lifespan (estimate): approx.
?
years
- Sexing: Monomorphic
/ Dimorphic
- Colour mutations: Yes
- Availability: Bird dealers and
specialist breeders.
- Temperament: For experienced
lorikeet keepers only. Best kept one pair per aviary.
- Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: -
Normal colour (Approx.) $250
- Description Of Adults:
- Length: Approx. 190 mm (or approx. 7.5 inches)
- Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer
photo/s above if available.
- Weight: Approx. 60 gms (or approx 2 ozs)
Varied Lorikeet is the sole member of the PSITTEUTELES genus.
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.
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.
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.
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 October
- Log / Nest-box: These birds
can be messy nesters and regular cleaning of the nest may be
necessary.
- Length
/ depth 300 mm (or approx. 12 inches)
- Log internal
diameter approx. 180 - 200 mm (or approx. 7 - 8
inches)
- Nest-box internal dimensions approx.180 - 190
mm square (or approx. 7 inches square)
- Diameter of
entrance
hole approx. 50 mm (or approx. 2 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 ......
- Angle of log or nest box = usually vertical or near
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. 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 1. Eggs per nest 4. Incubation
approx. 22 days. Fledge approx. 6 weeks.
Independent approx. another 1 - 2 weeks.
The young are fed by both parents.
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 58 No. 10 Oct 2004 Page 223
(Nestboxes for small lorikeets).
- A/A Vol 35 No. 4 Apr 1981 Page 71-72
(Inc cover photo)
- A/A Vol 29 No. 1 Jan 1975 Page
8-11
- A/A Vol 25 No. 1 Jan 1971 Page 7-8.
- A/A Vol 12 No 8 Aug 1958 Page 105-107.
- A/A Vol 12 No 5 May 1958 Page 64-67.
- Australian Birdkeeper
- ABK Vol 3 Issue 4. Aug-Sept 1990 Page 178-181
- ABK Vol 2 Issue 7. Feb-Mar 1989 Page 248-249
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