Animal-World > Pet Birds > Lories - Lorikeets > Green-naped Rainbow Lorikeet

Green-naped Rainbow Lorikeet

Family: Psittacidae Subamily: Loriinae

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"Zazu" Trichoglossus haematodus Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

  "Zazu" is a very nice Green-naped Rainbow Lorikeet that is about 10-12 weeks old. Zazu was handfed and likes very much to be handled. Zazu started to talk before she left the store saying things like 'hello' and 'pretty bird'. She is going to be a really good talker with a great personality. This bird loved to play with everyone and everything! She was a real acrobat and loved to swing upside down on her perches.

Scientific name: Trichoglossus haematodus

Description:
   The Green-naped Rainbow Lorikeet is one of the most colorful members of the parrot family. It is almost impossible to tell the difference between a lorikeet and a lory although some say the lorikeet has a longer tail than the lori. Also, the lorikeet has a pointed tail while the lori's tail is rounded. The lorikeets and the lorys have a "brushlike" tongue that is used for eating fruits, flowers, nectars, and pollens. There are at least 21 different kinds of Green-naped Lorikeets.

Care and feeding:
   The lorikeet's main diet consists of nectar and fruit. They can eat some greens and some seed. Special diets which can be purchased at most pet stores have been formulated to feed the bird in either a wet form as a nectar or in a dry form as a powder. Make sure you have water near the powder, if that is what you are feeding, so the bird can take drinks while eating. Fresh fruit or unsweetened canned fruit should be fed regularly.

Distribution:
   Northern and eastern parts of Australia, and also the islands north and east of Australia.

Size - Weight:
   Reaches up to 10 inches in length including the tail.

Social Behaviors:
   In the wild they spend most of their time in flocks.

Physical characteristics:
   Very colorful, from 6-11 inches including the tail. The sub-adults have a dark brown beak and brown irises. The beak turns red as they mature. Life span is 15 or more years, they mature at 1-2 years.

Housing:
   A roomy cage is required unless the bird is to be let out for extended periods. Many birds can spend most of their time on a play pen or parrot perch. A cage guard is a good idea since their droppings are a sticky fluid which ends up outside the cage.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Lorikeets are easily bred. Although they are not easy to sex, once they are established, they nest freely.

Potential Problems: An easy bird to care for.

Availability: Readily available.

Activities:
   Make sure you give them lots of toys, swings, and perches since they are very active and love to play.

Comments from people who have kept this pet:

Hello: You might remember me and my beautiful Green-Naped Rainbow Lory, Jammy. We lost him about l l/2 years ago, and he still remains in my heart. He was so beautiful; nothing could take his place. You may remember that some time after Jammy's passing, I purchased a White-Bellied Caique. I just needed some whistling and action in our very quiet house. Well, Peaches is a "handful"; however she can whistle and keep the house in turmoil, that is for sure. Several months ago, I purchased a baby, male Eclectus. He is beautiful, quiet, and very interesting. Of course, nothing could ever take Jammy's place; I pray for him every evening. Jammy was 20+ years old. We found him at a gig on the patio of a country club. He was drinking a Manhatten and was perched on a man's arm. My husband told me to take the birdie home. I had a clean cage ready for Jammy. I took my bird encyclopedia with me to the next gig that day in New York. I was able to identify Jammy; that was important. Jammy required a special diet. We loved him so much. There can NEVER be another Jammy. Always, susansaleeby@comcast.net

I have had 3 rainbow lorikeets and they are packed full of personality and character. Now I have only one lorikeet - Ashling, a hand reared, quirky no-fear little bird who is my joy in life. She is with me whenever I'm home and often when I'm out. She is only a few months old and has learned to shake hands, wave, flap wings on command, jump to my hand, step up, roll over and say hello! We snuggle at bedtime and in the mornings and she preens my face by nibbling gently at anything she can reach! Besides my dog Flea she is the best pet I have ever had and I couldn't imagine life without her. She and Flea get along really well. Flea is a border collie cross heeler- 30 kilos in all- and he and Ashling play together. Ash is about the size of Flea's muzzle! Flea nudges Ash so she rolls on her back and grabs at his nose with her feet and beak. They play for ages and it is so perculiar to watch! I can understand why lorikeets aren't for everyone! They are incredibly noisy and the only thing that shuts them up is distraction or putting a sheet over the cage. There's also the mess, but it's quite easy to clean if it isn't left for too long. The positives of owning a lorikeet far out shine the negatives as they are so loving and playful!

I happened to be in a bird store and noticed a bird in the corner of his little pen just sitting and screaming. He was also covered with bird food. At first I really didn't pay him any attention, though later in the week I went back and noticed that the bird was cleaned up and had these beautiful colors. I was wondering why he just stood in the corner crying, as I call it. They stated that he was a baby and they were working with him. So I talked to my boyfriend about him because the bird looked depressed to me, and I go threw depression as well. We went and tried to hold him and he screamed, but the next day he let me hold him even though he tried to bite. I was truly in love. When we decided to get him I found out that he was a Rainbow Lori. He sat on my hand and we walked through the store, and I bought him. I had the name Rainbow already picked out for him. We purchased everything he would like and a beautiful cage. Since he has been here I have pulled out of most of my depression. He plays now all the time, no crying. I hold him from time to time because he is still a little nervous. He is my heart, I love him to death. He has brought me so much joy, and I believe that we have done the same for him. I also found out that he just turned 4 months, so we are working with him everyday little by little and we are extremely pleased that Rainbow and I have both pulled out of depression.

I must agree with everyones comments on the green naped lories, I have one and his name is "Chi Chi" and he is amazing. While at my twin sons last day of school last year this beautiful animal dropped from a tree branch onto my shoulder and told me HELLO! I was scared at first but he just rubbed his head up and down my face and asked me "what ya doing" which he says to everyone now. We put ads in the paper and made several attempts to find his previous owners but after three months nobody has claimed him so hes part of the family now. He has a brand new cage i just finished which gives him plenty of room to play with all his toys. My children, all five of them have been handling him and he has settled in really well. I plan on getting a few more of these beautiful animals but i need to find a good breeder around Louisiana.

My rainbow lori is named FRUIT LOOP, he is hilarious. He talks ALOT! He says... sweet bird, pretty bird, sexy bird, loud bird, hi bye hello come here stop, give me a kiss, and the he makes the kissing sound. He is the smartest bird I have ever had. He plays all the time and likes to take baths. He LOVES kids and dogs.

hi i have a rainbow lorikeet. his name is cheekyboy. he is really funny. he love's me and he will sit on my shoulder and whisper sweet little secrets in my ears. well thats what i call it, he really just whistles. i have had cheekyboy for nearly two yrs, i got him as a baby. he HATES my boyfriend! i keep trying to make him talk by repeating the words over and over again but he just wont say anything, but he has a heck of a wolf whistle on him. they are so funny.

My best friend is named Tangy who is a beautiful 14yr old green-naped Rainbow Lori who is affectionately loving, a vocally demanding talker, more adventurous then the man down under - The Crocodile Hunter, and as intelligent as Little Einstein. I have had Tangy since a hatchling and, as any proud mother, I have weened, potty-trained(yes she is potty trained), and raised my little girl to be the most outgoing social performer. She often takes trips with me and my husband to meet the local people in our neighborhood where she lightens the hearts of everyone. I am proud to be told how amazingly beautiful and loving she is! I love talking and introducing Tangy and sharing with everyone her infectious laughter and constant chatter of "Mommy-mommy, Come her, I love you, Give me kisses". When I was recently married, I worried about her ability to adjust to my husband. And true to her loving nature, she took my husband, Frank, into our little clutch. Now, Tangy and Frank spend time together with Tangy preening his eyelashes, giving him kisses, and hopping around him for attention. Even though Rainbow Loriies are not for everyone; they need alot of social interaction, their diet must be watched closely, but most of all, they need alot of love in order to raise a healthy-well adjusted bird like Tangy, I believe everyone should have the pleasure of owning a little Tangy of their own..

I have a 1 year old Green Naped Lorikeet called Ruby. I could not agree more with so many of the comments I have read here, they make the very best companions and Ruby is no exception. She mimics a great deal and takes great pleasure in mimicking the sound of the Microwave finishing; a great way to get me out of the front room and gain my attention. I have taken some great photos of her and placed them on my website. Take a look www.ianrbanks.co.uk.

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