Interesting Facts on Rainbow Lorikeets

Migration

• The noisy Rainbow Lorikeet is a traveler. These birds will travel across Australia throughout the year because one of their main food sources -- the eucalyptus tree -- flowers at different times of the year throughout the coasts of Australia. The birds often travel in extremely large groups -- sometimes numbering in the thousands.

Monogamy

• Like many human cultures around the world, Rainbow Lorikeets also live a monogamous lifestyle, choosing only one partner. As they are receptive to mating throughout the year, breeding also occurs spontaneously year around, rather than during a distinctive breeding season.

Raising Young

• Not only are Rainbow Lorikeets monogamous and devoted partners, but they also share responsibility in raising their young. The high nest sites -- which are usually in the tops of trees -- house both parents. When the female lays eggs -- which usually come in groups of two -- she will sit on them until they hatch. The male holds some responsibility when it comes to feeding. He'll assist the female in raising the chicks until they grow feathers and learn to fly.

Tongues

• One of the most distinctive unseen features of Lorikeets is in the tongue. The tongues usually remain folded up within the mouth, much in the same way a frog keeps a folded tongue. When they need to get food, the tongue unfolds and serves as a "brush" to easily grab nectar. This unique tongue is also a defining characteristic of the species, as Lorikeets look identical to several other species of parrots aside from the tongue.