Rainbow Lorikeets / Rainbow Lories, Green Naped Lories / Lorikeets (Choglossus haematodus haematodus)
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Forshaw recognizes 21 sub-species of this group, the most common of which is the Green-naped Lory.
Not all sub-species are found in captivity and fewer still in the pet market. They come from New Guinea and the surrounding islands.
Distribution:
The Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) is a parrot common to the eastern seaboard of Australia, ranging from Queensland to South Australia. It is also found around northwest Tasmania. Its habitat is rainforest, coastal bush and woodland areas
Physical Appearance
Rainbow lorikeets grow to 25-30cm in size, with a wingspan of about 17cm. Their eponymous markings are particularly striking: a dark blue head and stomach, a bright green back, tail and vent, and a red breast and beak.
Rainbow Lorikeets and Humans
As with any parrot, ownership of lorikeets must not be taken lightly. Captive lorikeets have a long lifespan, often in excess of 20 years. Their diet makes them particularly messy; they are well-known in aviculture for their messy, liquid droppings and energetic nature. Captive-bred rainbow lorikeets are legal to own in Australia. Talking Ability (compared to other species)
In many places wild lorikeets are so used to human campers and visitors that they can be hand-fed. The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Queensland is noted for its numerous lorikeets, which number in the thousands. Around 4pm each day the birds gather in a huge, noisy flock in the park's main area. Here visitors are encouraged to feed them a specially-prepared nectar, and the birds will happily settle on arms and heads to consume it. Rainbow lorikeets can also be hand-fed by visitors at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Queensland, and in many zoos and animal parks outside Australia.
Feeding in the Wild:
Rainbow lorikeets feed mainly on pollen and nectar, and possess a tongue adapted especially for their particular diet.. However, they are frequent visitors at bird feeders that supply lorikeet-friendly treats, such as store-bought nectar, sunflower seeds, and fruits such as apples, grapes andpears. Formulated diets are available.
Reproduction
Breeding usually occurs during spring (September to December in Australia and March through June in the U.S.), and mated pairs nest in eucalypt tree hollows. In captivity several striking mutations have occurred. Please refer to the below photo:
Pest status in some areas
The Rainbow lorikeet was accidentally released into the southwest of the state of Western Australia from the University of Western Australia in the 1960s. They have since been classified as a pest.
Rainbow Lorikeets can also be found in New Zealand, particularly around the Auckland area. New Zealand's Department of Conservation has declared them a pest and is using similar methods to control and eradicate them.
Many fruit orchard owners consider them a pest, as they often fly in groups and strip trees containing fresh fruit. (Source: Wikipedia.org)
Taxonomy:
Family: Loriidae 
Genus: Scientific: Trichoglossus ... English: Wedge-tailed Lorikeets ... Dutch: Wigstaartlori ... German: Keilschwanzloris ... French: Loriquet Species: Scientific: Trichoglossus haematodus haematodus ... English: Rainbow Lorikeet, Green-naped Lory ... Dutch: Regenbooglori, Groenneklori ... German: Breitbinden Allfarblori ... French: Loriquet à nuque verte CITES II- Endangered Species
Distribution: Buru, Amboina, Ceram, Ceramlaut, Goram, Watubela Western Papuan Islands, Islands in Geelvink Bay, Western New Guinea, Kai Islands
Related Web Resources: Lexicon of Parrots
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