The Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) is a bird common to the eastern seaboard of Australia, ranging though to South Australia. It is also found around Perth in Western Australia and north west Tasmania. Its habitat is rainforests, coastal bush and woodland areas.
It feeds mainly on nectar and pollen year round, but will also eat fruit. Breeding is mainly during the Australian spring [Sep-Nov], nesting in eucalypt tree hollows.
These birds form large flocks, giving rise a cacophony of loud screeching sounds. Members of the Parrot family, they have the familiar strong hooked beak of this family. Grows to 25-30cm in size, with a stocky body that supports their fast agile flight.
The Rainbow Lorikeet has strikingly bright colours, with a red beak and eyes, blue head, a light green stripe at the rear of the head and primarily a green body. The stomach is crimson, turning to orange and yellow towards the wings, and violet and dark blue towards the lower body.