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Rainbow Lorikeet

Trichoglossus moluccanus

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernOmnivoreForestCavity nestMedium · 113 g
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), photo 1
Photo: Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Cygnis insignis. This applies worldwide.In some countries this may not be legally possible; if so:Cygnis insignis grants anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law. · Public domain
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), photo 2
Photo: Tournasol7 · CC BY 4.0
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), photo 3
Photo: Dimitrije Matovic · CC BY 4.0
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), photo 4
Photo: Louise Docker · CC BY 2.0
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), photo 5
Photo: resascup · CC BY 2.0
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), photo 6
Photo: Derek Midgley from Melbourne, Australia · CC BY 2.0
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), photo 7
Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa · CC BY 2.0
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), photo 8
Photo: (c) Andrew Allen, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), photo 9
Photo: (c) Nathan Ruser, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), photo 10
Photo: (c) Tim, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY

ID tip

The rainbow lorikeet is a medium-sized parrot, with the length ranging from 25 to 30 cm (9.8 to 11.8 in), including the tail, and the weight varies from 75 to 157 g (2.6–5.5 oz). The plumage of the nominate race, as with all subspecies, is very bright and colorful. The head is deep blue with a greenish-yellow nuchal collar, and the rest of the upper parts (wings, back, and tail) are green. The chest is orange/yellow. The belly is deep blue, and the thighs and rump are green. In flight, a yellow wing-bar contrasts clearly with the red underwing coverts.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Rainbow Lorikeet

One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is October, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Rainbow Lorikeet

Regular rangeRare visitor

The map shades 6 countries with regular records, and 14 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

Australia Papua New Guinea New Zealand Hong Kong SAR China Vanuatu Indonesia

Recorded as a rare visitor in Taiwan, Belgium, United States, Puerto Rico, Japan, Timor-Leste, Canada, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, India, Maldives, Solomon Islands, ZZ.

About the Rainbow Lorikeet

The rainbow lorikeet is a species of parrot found in Australia. It is common along the eastern seaboard, from northern Queensland to South Australia. Its habitat is rainforest, coastal bush, and woodland areas. Six taxa traditionally listed as subspecies of the rainbow lorikeet are now treated as separate species.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Musk Lorikeet (Trichoglossus concinnus) Musk LorikeetTrichoglossus concinnusThe musk lorikeet is 22 centimetres (8.7 in) long. Biak Lorikeet (Trichoglossus rosenbergii) Biak LorikeetTrichoglossus rosenbergiiThe Biak lorikeet, also known as Rosenberg's lorikeet, is a parrot in the family Psittaculidae. Violet-necked Lory (Trichoglossus squamatus) Violet-necked LoryTrichoglossus squamatusThe violet-necked lory is 27 cm (11 in) long.

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