Pet Wiki

Rainbow Lorikeet

Trichoglossus moluccanus

Also called Rainbow lory, Coconut lorikeet

SpeciesShort profile

From Eastern and south-eastern Australia, from the Gulf of Carpentaria and Queensland down to Victoria and South Australia. It lives in rainforest, coastal bush, eucalypt woodland, mangroves and savanna, and has settled in places such as Perth and Auckland.12

At a glance the quick version

Length25 to 30 cm213
Lifespan15 to 30 years134
Sizesmall
Dazzling rainbow plumage
Playful, bubbly and full of energy
Can learn words and tricks
342

Looks how to spot one

Feathered; slim, long-tailed nectar-feeding parrot

A medium-small, brilliantly coloured parrot. The head is deep violet-blue with a yellow-green collar, the back, wings and tail are grass green, the chest glows orange and yellow and the belly is a deep purple-blue. The bill is orange-red in adults. Males and females look alike. Its tongue ends in a brush-like tip for lapping up nectar and pollen.213

ColoursBlue head, green body, orange-yellow chest, violet-blue belly21

Personality what they are like

A lively, cheerful and very playful bird that loves to get its people involved in games. It is bright and curious and can pick up words and tricks, though it can be nippy when over-excited. Its voice is a high, squeaky call, and it is happiest with an owner who enjoys an energetic companion.34

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High. Plan for plenty of daily out-of-cage play, a large rotating selection of toys and foraging activities to keep its busy mind occupied.34

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Loves water and bathes eagerly, so offer a shallow bath, misting or a shower perch daily. Because it eats a wet, nectar-based diet, its droppings are watery; easy-to-clean surroundings help, and fresh food should be swapped out often so it stays fresh.34

Home where they are happiest

A secure cage or, ideally, an aviary, since lorikeets are clever escape artists and their liquid droppings suit aviary life well. Use locking doors and natural perches roughly 1-2 cm across. They are best kept apart from other bird species.43

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A specialist nectar and pollen feeder. In the wild it feeds on eucalypt and other blossoms plus fruit and some seeds. At home, base the diet on a commercial lorikeet nectar or wet lory mix (World Parrot Trust suggests at least 40 percent), with fresh fruit, edible flowers and vegetables and only a little seed.1342

Company who they like around

Very social. Wild birds travel in noisy groups, feed in mixed flocks and roost together in the hundreds, and pairs often stay together long term. A pet lorikeet needs daily playtime and attention from its people.123

The story where it all began

Gmelin named the bird in 1788, and in 1916 its type locality was pinned down as Botany Bay near Sydney. For many years it was grouped with several related lorikeets as one species, until a 2019 review split them apart. Today it is one of Australia's most familiar birds and a well-known aviary and pet bird.2

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    A BirdLife Australia backyard bird count found the rainbow lorikeet to be the most commonly reported bird in Australia.2

  2. 2

    Its tongue has a brush-like tip for gathering nectar and pollen from flowers.2

  3. 3

    Pet lorikeets sometimes sleep lying on their backs, which can surprise new owners.3

  4. 4

    At Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Queensland, thousands of wild lorikeets arrive twice a day for nectar feeding.2

  5. 5

    It helps pollinate the flowers of plants such as coconut palms while it feeds.1

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List
Least Concern.1
CITES
Appendix II.1
Taxonomy
Described by Gmelin in 1788 as Psittacus moluccanus; treated as its own species after a 2019 split from Trichoglossus haematodus. Two subspecies: moluccanus and septentrionalis.2

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Rainbow Lorikeet. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

Treats they will love homemade and simple

Parrot Salad

A quick, fresh mix of safe fruits and vegetables that provides essential vitamins and moisture. Perfect for a single serving to avoid spoilage.

You need

  • 4 types of safe vegetables (e.g., carrot, broccoli, peas, kale)
  • 2 types of safe fruit (e.g., apple, blueberry, pomegranate)
  • Handful of sprouted mustard or cress (or chopped dandelion leaves)
  • Handful of parrot seed mix

How

  1. Wash all fruit and vegetables thoroughly.
  2. Chop the vegetables and fruit into small, bird-safe pieces.
  3. Mix the chopped produce with the sprouted greens in a bowl.
  4. Stir in the seed mix until everything is lightly coated.
  5. Serve immediately and remove any uneaten salad after a few hours.

How much: One serving per parrot, offered as part of their fresh food allowance.

Recipe from Omlet UK

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Rainbow Lorikeet?

Your Rainbow Lorikeet needs fresh food and water every day, as its wet, nectar-based diet spoils quickly. Furry Diary's starting plan is to offer fresh food and water daily, and to swap out uneaten portions often to keep them fresh. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.34 Pet Wiki plan

What does a Rainbow Lorikeet eat, and what should it never eat?

A Rainbow Lorikeet eats a specialist nectar and pollen diet, so base its meals on a commercial lorikeet nectar or wet lory mix (the World Parrot Trust suggests at least 40 percent), plus fresh fruit, edible flowers, and vegetables, with only a little seed. It should never eat avocado, chocolate, caffeine, or alcohol, and avoid salty, sugary, or fatty human foods; always check with your vet for a safe list.1342

How much space does a Rainbow Lorikeet need?

A Rainbow Lorikeet needs a secure cage or, ideally, an aviary, as it is a clever escape artist and its liquid droppings suit aviary life well. The cage should be large enough for flight and play, with locking doors and natural perches about 1-2 cm across. For specific dimensions, ask a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet.43

What temperature, light or water does a Rainbow Lorikeet need?

Your Rainbow Lorikeet thrives in a warm, draft-free environment with natural daylight cycles, but specific temperature and light needs vary by your home and climate. It loves water and bathes eagerly, so offer a shallow bath, misting, or a shower perch daily. For exact temperature ranges, consult an exotic-pet vet.34

How often should I clean a Rainbow Lorikeet's home?

Furry Diary's starting plan is to change the cage liner every 2 days and do a full cage clean every 7 days, since your lorikeet's wet diet makes droppings watery. Daily spot-cleaning of food bowls and perches also helps keep things fresh. Always use bird-safe cleaners and ask your vet for recommendations.34 Pet Wiki plan

Can a Rainbow Lorikeet live with others?

Yes, Rainbow Lorikeets are very social and in the wild live in noisy groups and pairs, so they enjoy companionship. They are best kept apart from other bird species, but can live happily with another lorikeet if introduced carefully. Daily playtime and attention from you are also essential.123

How long does a Rainbow Lorikeet live?

A Rainbow Lorikeet can live between 15 and 30 years with good care, so it is a long-term commitment. Providing a proper diet, plenty of exercise, and regular vet check-ups helps support a long, healthy life.134

Can I handle a Rainbow Lorikeet?

Yes, you can handle a Rainbow Lorikeet, and it loves to play and interact with its people, though it can be nippy when over-excited. Start with gentle, positive handling and respect its mood, and it will become a cheerful, energetic companion. For tips on taming, ask a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet.34

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].

  1. Rainbow Lorikeet - World Parrot Trust Parrot Encyclopedia parrots.orgused for range, size, weight, lifespan, diet, social behaviour, status
  2. Rainbow lorikeet - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for size, description, range, taxonomy, history, fun facts
  3. Rainbow Lory Personality, Food & Care - Lafeber lafeber.comused for temperament, talking, activity, bathing, diet, lifespan
  4. Basic Information Sheet: Lory and Lorikeet - LafeberVet lafeber.comused for weight, lifespan, housing, perches, diet, bathing

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.