larly hardy and, unfortunately, because of this it is often kept on a seed diet which usually results in the Australian bird taking fits or suffering paralysis ofthe legs due to dietary deficiencies. When fed a good, balanced diet, they are very active, long-lived aviary Lorikeets birds. Rainbow Lorikeets are free breeders and have been known to rear four byStan Sindel Sydney, Australia broods per year, each brood taking three months. They lay two eggs. The incubation period is variable, but takes approximately 23 days, and the In Australia, there are six species have extensive ranges, all are doing chicks fledge in about eight weeks. I and one subspecies of lorikeets. The well within their range, and some prefer to use a nest box for all lori­ subspecies, the Red-collared Lorikeet, species are extending their range, per­ keets as cleaning, which is often nec­ Trichoglossus haematodus rubritor­ haps with the help ofaviary escapees. essary during the rearing period, is quis, is quite distinct and, for The lorikeets' presence in an area is easier than in the case of a log. I use avicultural purposes at least, I feel it totally dependent on the food source. fine wood shaVings for nesting mate­ should be dealt with as a separate It has often been recorded how the rial, and find it is reasonably absor­ lorikeet. arrival of lorikeets in an area coin­ bent and easy to clean from the box. When one considers the vastness of cides to the day with the flowering of Incubation is carried out by the the Australian continent and the a particular species of native tree. female in all Australian lorikeets. extensive climatic and habitat varia­ Some species are so reliable in their tions, and the fact that the nearest arrival to and departure from a cer­ Red-collared Lorikeet neighbor, New Guinea, has a wealth tain area that they could be termed (Trichoglossus haematodus rubri­ of lorikeets, it is surprising how few migratory. Because of this depend­ torquis). Length 12:' The sexes are species we have in Australia. ence on flowering and fruit bearing alike in this species. All Australian species of lorikeets trees and shrubs, all species are The Red-collared Lorikeet ranges mainly nomadic, but there are some over the northwestern section ofAus­ resident populations in certain areas, tralia. I have seen this species mainly of the Rainbow and Scaley-breasted in open forest country, but it may be Lorikeets, where a constant food sup­ found wherever food is available. ply is available. This situation is Their diet is similar to the Rainbow particularly noticeable around our Lorikeet but, due to their tropical cities where the native food diet is range, their food is more of a tropical supplemented by the fruits, flowers nature. They are particularly fond of formerly and seed of introduced flora. the fruit ofthe cultivated mango. Walnut Acres Aviaries I have been able to observe all I saw this species constantly in species in their native habitat, and large numbers, so I would say their Emerald Forest have bred all species in captivity. status in the wild is good. In captivity, this species is similar Bird Gardens Rainbow Lorikeet to the Rainbow Lorikeet, perhaps not 45 wooded acres, streams, (Trichoglossus haematodus hae­ quite as hardy or quite as good a ponds, and tropical gardens matodus). Length 12:' The sexes are breeder, but it is still capable of rear­ devoted to propagation alike in this species. ing four broods a year. They lay two of exotic birds. The Rainbow Lorikeet ranges con­ eggs and the incubation period and tinuously from the northeastern, rearing time is similar to the Rainbow breeding through the eastern, to the south­ Lorikeet. Toucans, Toucanettes, eastern half of Australia. It is a very Cockatoos, Macaws, extensive range, and includes a great Sealey-breasted Lorikeet Eclectus, Mrican Greys, variation in habitat from rainforest to (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus). dry, open Eucalypt forest, to mallee Length 9-1/2:' The sexes are alike in Australian parakeets, scrubs and mangrove swamps. this species. Parrots and Finches Their diet, like their habitat, is This lorikeet ranges over northeast­ All Birds Closed Banded quite variable, but mainly consists of ern and eastern Australia in forest and Call or write for price list. pollen, fruits, seeds and vegetable scrub land, and most habitat where Jerry Jennings matter, plus a few insects. there is flowering trees. It is often This species of lorikeet is doing seen in mixed flocks in the company particularly well in the wild. It has ofRainbows. (619) 728-2226 adapted to human habitation, and Their diet is similar to that of Rain­ Route 6, Box 14 may be seen on the outskirts of all bow Lorikeets with a little more pref­ Fallbrook, CA 92028 towns and cities within its range, and erence for pollen and some native Visitors by appointment only is very common around Sydney. seeds. 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afa WATCHBIRD 27 c o en 0- E o .c I- ei roQ) o u ;mc Q) 0> U oo d Q) The Red-collared o0> Q) Lorikeet is one of C) >. many subspecies ~~. ..0 ofthe Rainbow oen (5 Lorikeet. This .c 0... race is found in northern Australia.

. 1:.~' This adultpair ofScaly-breasted Lorikeets standguard over their natural log nest.

their range, and are becoming more numerous in the Sydney area. I recently observed Sealey-breasted The small} Lorikeets in the suburbs of Mel­ colorful Varied bourne, Victoria, where apparently Lorikeet isfound an isolated colony exists. in northern This lorikeet does well in aviaries, ustralia and and is quite a free breeder. They lay is rarelyfound in American two eggs, the incubation period is aviculture. variable, but approximately 22 days, and the chicks spend approximately eight weeks in the nest. They will often have two or sometimes three clutches consecutively, but usually stop breeding in the late summer and autumn. This is the only species of Austra­ lian lorikeet in which mutations have been recorded, namely blue and olive. I am currently working on the olive mutation, which is dominant.

Varied Lorikeet (Trichoglossus versicolor). Length 7:' This is the only species of Austra­ lian lorikeet which is dimorphic, the males being brighter in color and having more wine color on the chest. The Varied Lorikeet's range is tropi­ cal northern Australia. I have seen this species in large flocks in dry, open forest country and in the trees bordering dry water courses, feeding on the pollen of Blood-wood trees, Hugeflocks oflorikeets} mainly Swainson 7S and Scaly-breasted} are attracted byfood put out by the Currumbin Sanctuary which is nearBrisbane} Australia. This is a the Bohemia tree and Melaleucas. wonderful tourist attraction as many thousands oflorikeetsfrom the wild come to This species is totally dependent on feed at thefeeding stations set at certain times ofthe day. pollen, vegetable matter, fruit and

28 October I November 1990 DISTRIBUTED BY: U.S.A.: ROLF C. HAGEN (U.S.A.) CORP. MANSFIELD, MA. 02048 insects, and I doubt that it ever eats hope to produce olives in all the over 20 years in conventional and seed ofany kind. Australian lorikeets using the same large, planted aviaries, but it was not The Varied Lorikeet is numerous technique, as all hybrids between Aus­ until after I attended the AFA conven­ within its range, and a particular sec­ tralian lorikeets appear to be fertile. tion at San Diego in 1981 that I tion of the population I have started to keep them seriously. At the observed over the last 20 years Little Lorikeet convention, I heard a lot about, and appears to be migratory. Their arrival (Glossopsitta pusilla). They are the saw little of, keeping parrots in sus­ coincides with the flowering of the smallest of the Australian lorikeets, pended cages. I immediately realized Blood-wood trees; they stay in the being 6" in length. The sexes are alike the advantage of keeping lorikeets area to breed, and depart four or five in this species. under these conditions. Due to the months later. They range over eastern and south­ liquid nature of lorikeet droppings, In captivity, I feel this species is the eastern Australia in forest and open their aviaries soon become very dirty. most difficult of the Australian lori­ woodland. Wire cages eliminate this problem keets to maintain. They have adapted The diet is similar to the Musk and very little cleaning is necessary. well to the suspended cage system Lorikeet but with the total exclusion Although Australian lorikeets will and, although aviary numbers are ofseeds. breed in flock conditions, I find that low, I am hoping to see gradual As with the other lorikeets, it is when they are housed in cages in increases. The clutch size is three to numerous within its extensive range, individual pairs but within sight of five eggs, incubation period approxi­ but this species has not adapted well other lorikeets, better results are mately 21 days, and the rearing per­ to human habitation, as have other obtained. Like species should not be iod is about five weeks. It is strictly species, and is seldom seen in housed side by side. an early spring breeder in the Sydney suburbia. The cages I use are eight feet long, area. Although not extensively kept in two feet three inches wide, and three This species of lorikeet has been aviaries, it has proved to be a reason­ feet high with a shelter on one end shifted from one genus to another by able breeder. I had three pairs nest last and the nest box fitted externally. various authors. Joseph Forshaw season, rearing two clutches of four Two perches fitted at the extremities classes it as a Trichoglossus and and one ofthree. So far, my birds have ofthe cage promote maximum flying. Rosemary Low classes it as a Glossop­ only been single brooded. They lay sitta. The bird resembles neither three to five eggs, incubation period Diet genus and has too many distinctive is approximately 21 days, and they Australian aviculturists have always features of its own, and I believe it spend six to seven weeks in the nest. associated lorikeets' diet with nectar. should be in a monotypic genus. It is Little Lorikeets are strictly spring Consequently, various sloppy nectar the only lorikeet with a white eye breeders in my aviaries. All my pairs diets have been fed, which soiled the ring, and the time spent in the nest by are housed in suspended cages eight birds' plumage and made their drop­ the young is much less than any other feet long. pings even more liquid. These wet Australian lorikeet. food diets also have the problem of Purple-crowned Lorikeet souring in our warm Australian Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta porphyrocephala). climate. (Glossopsitta concinna). Length Length 6-3/4:' The sexes are alike. Recent studies on Australian lori­ 9:' The sexes are alike in this species. This lorikeet ranges over south­ keets have shown that they eat far The Musk Lorikeet ranges through eastern and southwestern Australia more pollen than first thought and eastern and southeastern Australia where it inhabits Eucalpyt forests, they are, in fact, more of a dry food and Tasmania wherever there are open forest, mallee and coastal scrub­ eater. flowering trees and shrubs. lands. I have developed a high potency Their diet is similar to the Tricho­ Their diet is similar to the Little nectar which is rich in vitamins, glossus, but they are more dependent Lorikeet, but the pollen from flower­ minerals, animal protein, etc. One on pollen, fruits, vegetable matter ing Eucalypts is preferred. tablespoon full (20 ml.) of this nectar and insects and less on seeds. This species is also plentiful in its is fed per pair per day. This is usually This species is quite plentiful range and, due to its nomadic habits, consumed within an hour and not left within its range, particularly in the its numbers vary greatly in localities to sour or be contaminated. The birds southern parts. It is often seen in from year to year. They are often seen also have a dry food available to them the company of other species of feeding on flowering trees in and at all times, which I feel substitutes lorikeets. around towns and cities within their for pollen. Each pair is also fed half In aviaries, this species breeds well, range. an apple, a small piece of plain cake it lays two eggs, has an incubation The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is and silver beet daily. period of approximately 22 days, and becoming a very successful aviary Since I have housed my lorikeets in the chicks spend about seven weeks bird. They breed freely and will nest suspended cages and fed a mainly dry in the nest. They are strictly early at any time of the year. The clutch diet and the limited nectar, I have had spring breeders. consists of three to four eggs, incuba­ no outbreaks ofsalmonella infection. I have often bred this species in tion period is approximately 21 days, Prior to this feeding method and large, mixed aviaries, but I have found and they spend about seven weeks in suspended cage housing, sudden out­ they do better in suspended cages, a the nest. All my pairs are housed in breaks of various bacterial infections pair to a cage. suspended cages eight feet long. would inflict periodic losses in my Through hybridization with the aviaries. Although antibiotics usually olive Scaley-breasted Lorikeet, I have Housing control these outbreaks, they do not produced an olive Musk Lorikeet. I I had kept Australian lorikeets for save those first losses.•

30 October / November 1990