Little Lorikeet

Appearance

Measuring 15 cm in length, the male and female are similarly coloured, although the latter is a little duller. The crown, lores and throat are red, the nape and shoulder bronze-coloured and the remainder of the plumage green. The underparts yellow-tinged. The bill is black and the iris golden in colour.

Distribution

The Little Lorikeet is found in eastern and southern Australia, from the vicinity of Cairns southwards through Queensland and New South Wales from the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range eastwards to the coast, though most of Victoria and southeastern South Australia. It also occurs in Tasmania although is uncommon there. They are found in forest, especially in the vicinity of flowering or fruit-bearing vegetation.

Habitat

The Little Lorikeet is found in eastern and southern Australia, from the vicinity of Cairns southwards through Queensland and New South Wales from the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range eastwards to the coast, though most of Victoria and southeastern South Australia. It also occurs in Tasmania although is uncommon there. They are found in forest, especially in the vicinity of flowering or fruit-bearing vegetation.

Reproduction

Breeding season is from May in the north, or August in the south, to December. The nest is a hollow in a tree and a clutch of 3-5 matte white roundish eggs, measuring 20 x 16 mm, is laid. The incubation period is around three weeks.

Food

Fruit and flowers form the bulk of their diet, including native grasstrees , and tea-tree , ''Loranthus'', and the introduced loquat . They will occasionally visit orchards.

Cultural

Although first exported to Europe in 1877, the Little Lorikeet is only very rarely seen outside Australia. Even in its native country, it is uncommon in captivity. It has a reputation of being difficult to keep.