The dangers of feeding lorikeets Lorikeet feeding habits
Lorikeets are brightly coloured parrots of the family
Psittacidae and sub-family Loriinae (lories and lorikeets). Six
species are found in Australia, although further species occur
in New Guinea, Indonesia and many South Pacific islands. The tip
of a lorikeet's tongue holds a brush-like appendage, enabling
the bird to feed on pollen, nectar and fruits. Because lorikeets
are mainly seen feeding on blossoms, it was long thought that
nectar was their staple diet. However, studies have now shown
that pollen is probably their major food. They also eat insects
and insect larvae, together with other invertebrates found in
foliage and blossom. Lorikeets travel in small, swift flocks
which attract attention with their piercing calls. The birds
locate blossoms by sight and by the calls of other birds already
feeding. When food is abundant, large numbers gather in the
blossoms and foliage, clamouring noisily. Lorikeets have a very
simple digestive system. Proteins