Rainbow Lorikeet
(Trichoglossus haematodus)
*
A large brightly coloured bird the Rainbow Lorikeet lives in most
areas along the eastern seaboard especially in forests and woodland,
and is often observed in city gardens and parklands. These birds often
pair for life and flock together in groups of two or more by day and
often larger numbers when roosting at night. They can establish
flight paths from roosting sites which are followed daily, usually
along creeks, valleys or a line of hills. Their daily feeding
journeys can be up to 50k.
They are active and noisy, often seen screeching loudly while
feeding and clambering among the foliage of flowering trees. They are
blossom-feeders, eating the nectar and pollen, as well as fruit, leaf
buds and insects on the trees.
Unlike many native birds, the Rainbow Lorikeet competes successfully
against Indian Mynas for nesting hollows.

Two eggs are laid in a nest of decayed wood dust in a hollow limb or
hole of a tree. Only the female incubates the eggs, while both parents
feed the chicks.
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