If you’ve ever seen a bird that looks like it was painted with every shade of the rainbow, chances are you were looking at a lorikeet. These small to medium-sized parrots are among the most dazzling creatures in the avian world. The types of lorikeets are not only varied in their colors but also in their habitats, behaviors, and stories of survival.
That is why bird lovers, researchers, and even casual travelers are always drawn to these nectar-loving parrots.
Introduction to Lorikeets
Lorikeets belong to a unique group of parrots known for their vibrant colors and special diets. Unlike other parrots that enjoy seeds and nuts, lorikeets prefer nectar and soft fruits. This makes them very active, always buzzing from flower to flower like feathered bees.
Most species of lorikeets can be found in Australasia. Their range covers Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, and several Pacific islands. Some even live in remote island groups, making them treasures of biodiversity.
What makes lorikeets stand out compared to other parrots is their brush-tipped tongue. This specialized tongue allows them to gather nectar efficiently. Watching them feed is like seeing nature’s precision at work. Combined with their playful personality and striking feathers, lorikeets are some of the most charismatic birds you can encounter.
Lorikeets and Their Family
Lorikeets are part of the parrot-billed bird family known as Psittaculidae. This is a large family that includes parakeets and lovebirds. However, lorikeets have their own unique set of characteristics that distinguish them.
Their most obvious difference is their diet. While many parrots are seed-crackers, lorikeets use their feathered tongues to lap up nectar. Seeds aren’t their favorite food, and if they eat them at all, it’s usually soft and small ones.
Another thing that separates lorikeets is their energy level. They are constantly in motion. You’ll see them flying fast, hanging upside down from branches, chattering loudly, or diving into flowers. Their social behavior makes them fun to watch in groups.
Types of Lorikeets Around the World
There are many species of lorikeets worldwide. Each has its own personality, look, and distribution. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular and unique species.
1. Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus)
The Rainbow Lorikeet is the most famous of all lorikeets. With its blue head, green wings, orange chest, and yellow highlights, it looks like a flying jewel. These birds are native to eastern and northern Australia, but they can also be found in nearby regions.
Rainbow Lorikeets are loud and playful. They thrive in cities as much as they do in forests, often feeding on flowering trees in suburban gardens. In terms of conservation, they are considered secure because their population remains substantial.
2. Coconut Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)
The Coconut Lorikeet is one of the most widespread species. It is found across Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, and many Pacific islands. It gets its name because it is often seen feeding on coconut flowers, although it also loves many other blossoms.
This species has a deep red breast, green wings, and a dark blue or purple head. They are very social and often gather in large, noisy flocks. In places like Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, Coconut Lorikeets are part of daily village life. People sometimes keep them as pets, although capturing them from the wild is discouraged for conservation reasons.
3. Red-collared Lorikeet (Trichoglossus rubritorquis)
At first glance, the Red-collared Lorikeet looks like a Rainbow Lorikeet. But the difference lies in its markings. Instead of the orange breast found on Rainbow Lorikeets, the Red-collared Lorikeet has a bold red patch around its neck. This feature makes it stand out.
These birds are found mainly in northern Australia. They are very active, often seen zipping through eucalyptus trees or visiting urban parks. Their strong screeching calls make them easy to notice even before you see them.
4. Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus)
Unlike most of its colorful relatives, the Scaly-breasted Lorikeet is mainly green. However, it has fine yellow streaks across its chest and belly, giving it a scaly appearance. This gives it a slightly camouflaged appearance compared to brighter lorikeets.
They prefer to live in groups and often feed on eucalyptus blossoms. Their green color helps them blend into foliage, which is useful when avoiding predators. While they might not look as flashy as other lorikeets, their subtle beauty is appreciated by many bird enthusiasts.
5. Purple-crowned Lorikeet (Parvipsitta porphyrocephala)
As its name suggests, this lorikeet has a distinctive purple crown. The rest of its body is mainly green with touches of blue and orange. Although small compared to some lorikeet species, the Purple-crowned Lorikeet has a lot of charm.
It is native to southern Australia, where it lives in eucalyptus forests. They are known for being swift fliers and often hard to spot because of their speed. Birdwatchers who catch a glimpse of them often feel lucky, as these birds tend to stay high in the canopy.
6. Mitchell’s Lorikeet (Trichoglossus forsteni mitchellii)
One of the rarest lorikeets you might hear about is Mitchell’s Lorikeet. This bird is native to Bali and Lombok in Indonesia. Sadly, it has faced severe population decline, mainly due to habitat loss and illegal bird trade. For some time, it was even considered extinct in the wild.
Physically, Mitchell’s Lorikeet is stunning. It has a dark head, bright yellow nape, a deep red chest, and green wings. Both males and females resemble each other, making it difficult to distinguish between them. Their lively and playful nature makes them beloved in aviaries.
At Bali Bird Park, Mitchell’s Lorikeet is part of conservation programs. A famous individual named Atat Bali has become a symbol of the park’s success in protecting endangered birds. Visitors can learn about its history and why saving this species matters not just to Bali, but to global biodiversity.
7. Ultramarine Lorikeet (Vini ultramarina)
Another species worth mentioning is the Ultramarine Lorikeet. This bird is found in the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. Its feathers are a brilliant mix of blue and white, making it one of the most visually striking lorikeets.
Unfortunately, the Ultramarine Lorikeet is critically endangered. Habitat destruction and the introduction of invasive species, such as black rats, have caused severe population declines. Conservation programs are now trying to protect their remaining populations, but the future of this species is uncertain.
Diet and Behavior of Lorikeets
Lorikeets have a very special diet. They feed mainly on nectar, pollen, and soft fruits. Their feather-tipped tongues allow them to brush up nectar from flowers with ease. They also enjoy papaya, mango, and other juicy fruits when available.
Due to this diet, lorikeets are constantly on the move. They are noisy, energetic, and highly social. In the wild, you can see them flying in flocks, chattering loudly, and sometimes even play-fighting with one another. Their calls can be piercing, but they are also a sign of their lively spirit.
Lorikeets are not shy around humans either. In places like Australia, they often come to feeders in backyards, happily sipping sugar water prepared by bird lovers. This close interaction with people has made them one of the most well-known parrots worldwide.
Conservation Status of Lorikeets
Not all lorikeets share the same fate in the wild. Some species, like the Rainbow Lorikeet and the Coconut Lorikeet, are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. They remain abundant across their ranges, adapting well to forests and even urban areas. However, local declines can still happen due to trapping and habitat loss, so ongoing monitoring is essential.
Other lorikeets are in far more danger. The Mitchell’s Lorikeet, native to Bali and Lombok, is classified as Endangered. Fewer than 50 are believed to survive in the wild, and for years it was thought extinct in Bali until a small group was rediscovered in 2019.
Conservation projects led by Bali Bird Park, along with international partners, now focus on breeding, education, and repatriation programs to save this rare bird.
The Ultramarine Lorikeet represents an even more urgent case. Found only on Ua Huka in French Polynesia, it is listed as Critically Endangered, with only 1,000–2,500 individuals remaining.
Threatened by habitat loss and invasive predators, this species highlights the fragility of lorikeet populations. These examples demonstrate that while some lorikeets are thriving, others are in urgent need of conservation efforts, habitat protection, and human support for their survival.
Meet Lorikeets at Bali Bird Park
If you want to experience lorikeets up close, Bali Bird Park is one of the best places to visit. The park provides a safe environment for several lorikeet species, including the rare Mitchell’s Lorikeet.
Visitors can feed them nectar, observe their playful behavior, and even hear the story of Atat Bali, the Mitchell’s Lorikeet, which represents the park’s dedication to conservation. Beyond lorikeets, the park also houses many other rare and exotic birds from Indonesia and beyond.
The experience is more than just entertainment. It is also educational, helping people understand why conserving lorikeets and their habitats is so important.
Lorikeets are not just beautiful birds. They are pollinators, forest guardians, and cultural icons in many regions. From the Rainbow Lorikeet of Australia to the Ultramarine Lorikeet of the Marquesas, each species has its own story to tell. Some are thriving, while others, like Mitchell’s Lorikeet, are struggling to survive.
By learning about them, supporting conservation programs, and visiting places like Bali Bird Park, we can all play a part in ensuring these colorful parrots continue to brighten our world. As you’ve seen, exploring the various types of lorikeets is like traveling through a rainbow in the natural world.
