Care guide
Lory and Lorikeet Care Guide: Nectar Diet and Housing
Avilumen editorial team ·
Lories and lorikeets, such as the rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), are brightly colored parrots from Australasia with a brush-tipped tongue for gathering nectar and pollen. That specialized diet sets them apart from other parrots: they can't be fed the same way as a budgie or an Amazon.
At a glance
- Size
- 18–30 cm
- Lifespan
- 15–25 years
- Noise level
- High
- Experience
- Intermediate to advanced
- Space
- Large, easy-to-clean cage or aviary
Approximate values: they vary by species and individual bird.
Nectar diet
The base is a commercial lory nectar, powdered or liquid, along with soft fruit, edible flowers and some vegetables. A parrot seed mix should not be used as the base: their digestive system is adapted to nectar.
Nectar spoils quickly, especially in warm weather. It must be made fresh and replaced at least two or three times a day, with the dishes washed thoroughly; otherwise candida and other infections take hold.
- Never feed avocado, chocolate, coffee, alcohol or salt.
- Don't use honey or table sugar as a nectar substitute.
- Safe flowers: hibiscus, dandelion, nasturtium, all pesticide-free.
Housing and hygiene
Because of their liquid diet, lories produce watery droppings and squirt them a good distance. A large cage with a deep tray, shielded walls and easy-to-wash surfaces works best, or an aviary with a floor you can hose down.
They love to bathe: offer clean water every day.
Health
Yeast and bacterial infections caused by spoiled food are the most common problem. Warning signs: fluffed-up feathers, vomiting, foul-smelling or discolored droppings, and loss of appetite. Look for an avian vet with experience treating lories.
Behavior
They are very playful, acrobatic and fearless, but can be territorial and aggressive toward other birds, even larger ones. It's best not to house them with other species. Many mimic words and learn tricks easily.
Breeding
They breed in nest boxes lined with a layer of wood shavings to absorb moisture. They usually lay 2 eggs per clutch. Males and females look very similar, so they are sexed by DNA testing.
Legal status
All lories are listed in CITES Appendix II, with a few stricter exceptions. Several species from Indonesian islands are threatened by trapping for the pet trade. Only buy captive-bred birds with documentation.
This guide is for information only and does not replace advice from an avian vet. Before getting a bird, check the law in your country and ask for CITES paperwork. This site does not sell or broker live animals.
Frequently asked questions
- What do lories eat?
- Lories eat mainly nectar and pollen. In captivity, lories need a commercial lory nectar, soft fruit, edible flowers and some vegetables. Lories should not be fed seeds as the base of their diet.
- How long do rainbow lorikeets live?
- A rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) usually lives 15 to 25 years with a proper diet and good hygiene.
- Why are lories so messy?
- Lories are messy because their diet is liquid: they eat nectar and fruit, so their droppings are watery and they expel them forcefully. Lories need a large cage, a deep tray and easy-to-wash surfaces.
