ID Lorikeets

Lorikeets are colourful, noisy and often seen in flocks feeding on nectar. This guide helps you tell apart 7 mainland Australian species - Little Lorikeet, Musk Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet, Red-collared Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet and Varied Lorikeet.

Tap on each image to see a larger version.

Little Lorikeet

Red face that doesn’t extend beyond the eye, black bill (beak), and yellow-bronze mantle behind its head.

Musk Lorikeet

Red patches on the side of its head and above its beak, dark blue crown (head), and yellow patch near the start of its wing.

Purple-crowned Lorikeet

Red-orangey-yellow patches around its bill, purple crown (head), yellow-orange cheek patches, and pale blue throat and breast.

Rainbow Lorikeet

Violet blue head, orange-red breast, and yellow-green hind-collar behind its head.

Red-collared Lorikeet

Looks similar to a Rainbow Lorikeet but has an orange-red hind-collar and band of dark blue behind its head and a bright orange breast.

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

All-green body with yellow scales on underbody and all-green head.

Varied Lorikeet

Red head, white around eye, and white above head.

Podcast episodes