ParrotsParrots Index Australian Ringnecks Bluebonnet Bourke’s Parrot Budgerigar Cockatiel Galah Little Corella Pink Cockatoo Mallee Ringneck Mulga Parrot Port Lincoln Ringneck Purple-crowned Lorikeet Rainbow Lorikeet Red-collared Lorikeet Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

The colourful Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) is an endemic species of parrot to Australia. Considered widespread in the northern and eastern Australia, through to South Australia.

The population of Rainbow Lorikeets are also found around the Perth region, having become established by the late 1960s. Today they are considered feral, as they are known to be aggressive around nesting hollows, preventing other native birds the use of the tree hollows. They have even been know to drag the young nestlings of Australian Ringnecks from the hollows, so they can take over the hollow.

The Rainbow Lorikeet has a bright red beak and colourful plumage. with both sexes looking alike. They have a blue (mauve) head and belly, with green wings, tail and back, and an orange/yellow breast.

It’s habitat is rainforest, coastal and woodland areas. Once quite common along the east coast, it is thought that in some areas of eastern Australia, that the number has diminished. They can also often be seen in people’s garden.

There are several taxa traditionally listed as subspecies of the rainbow lorikeet, but are now treated as separate species, with 6 species now identified — Rainbow Lorikeet, Red-collared Lorikeet, Coconut Lorikeet, Scarlet-breasted Lorikeet, Marigold Lorikeet, Flores Lorikeet.

Common name
Rainbow Lorikeet, Rainbow Lory (plural Rainbow Lories).


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Psittaciformes
  • Family: Psittaculidae
  • Genus: Trichoglossus
  • Species: T. moluccanus
  • Binomial name: Trichoglossus moluccanus

Footnote & References

  1. Rainbow lorikeet split into six different species after bird experts reach consensus, by Ben Collins, ABC Kimberley, Thu 19 Dec 2019, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-19/rainbow-lorikeet-species-split-into-six/11806318

ParrotsParrots Index Australian Ringnecks Bluebonnet Bourke’s Parrot Budgerigar Cockatiel Galah Little Corella Pink Cockatoo Mallee Ringneck Mulga Parrot Port Lincoln Ringneck Purple-crowned Lorikeet Rainbow Lorikeet Red-collared Lorikeet Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo