Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

The Scaly-breasted Lorikeet is a small, brightly colored parrot found along the eastern coast of Australia. Its plumage is predominantly bright green, with a slightly yellower green on the underparts.

The breast feathers are edged in yellow, creating a distinctive scalloped or "scaly" appearance that gives the species its name. The bill is orange-red, and the eye is orange-red as well. Unlike its close relative the Rainbow Lorikeet, it lacks any blue on the head.

Key field marks

• Overall green body with no blue on the head
• Yellow scalloped edging across the breast feathers (the "scaly" look)
• Orange-red bill
• Fast, direct flight on rapidly beating wings

Similar species

The Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) is similar in size and shape but has a deep blue head and an orange-and-yellow breast band, making it much more colorful overall. The two species regularly flock together and can hybridize where ranges overlap.

Range

Endemic to eastern Australia, occurring from around Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, south through New South Wales to the Victorian border, mostly along the coast and adjacent ranges.

Habitat

Favors coastal and near-coastal eucalypt forest, woodland, paperbark swamps, orchards, farmland with flowering trees, and suburban parks and gardens with nectar-producing plants.

Movement

Largely sedentary but locally nomadic, moving in response to flowering eucalypts and other blossom.

Voice

Noisy and vocal, giving sharp, shrill screeches and chattering notes, especially in flight and while feeding in flocks.

Feeding

Uses a specialized brush-tipped tongue to feed on nectar and pollen from eucalypt and other native blossoms, also taking fruit and some seed. Often forms large, noisy mixed flocks with Rainbow Lorikeets at flowering trees.

Breeding

Nests in tree hollows, typically laying two eggs. Both parents help raise the chicks.