Class: Aves

Order: Psittaciformes

Scientific Name: Trichoglossus haematodus haematodus

Range: Indonesia, New Guinea

Habitat: Wooded country, rainforest, mangroves, riparian woodland, plantations, gardens, edges of vegetation

Diet: Wild: Pollen, nectar, fruits, blossoms, seeds
Zoo: Nectar, soft fruits, such as bananas, etc.

Gestation: 25 to 27 days

Litter: Clutch: 1 to 3 eggs

Life Span: unknown

Description:

Overall length is about ten inches, and weight 3.5 to 5.5 ounces. The forehead, forecrown and chin are blue, and the ear-coverts and throat are purple-black. There is a greenish-yellow band on the nape. The lower throat and upper breast are bright red with purplish-black edges to the feathers, giving a barred appearance. The center of the abdomen is green, and the lower abdomen, flanks, thighs and under-tail coverts are yellow, with most of the feathers edged in green. The under-wing coverts and part of the flanks are red, and there is a broad yellow band across the underside of the flight feathers. The underside of the tail is olive, with the outer feathers having yellowish inner webs. The back, wings and upper side of the tail are green. The bill is orange-red and the iris is red. Immatures are duller than adults, with the bill brownish-black and the iris brown.

Did you know?

• The tongues of lorikeets are covered with brush-like papillae for mopping food from flowers, and the stomach is thin-walled for ready digestion.

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the Lorikeet Aviary at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.