The Scaly Lorikeet is 24 cm (9.5 in) long,
which includes a 10 cm (4 in) tail. The
sexes are similar in adult plumage, being
generally green. The crown and sides of head
are emerald-green slightly tinged with blue,
while the feathers of the back of the neck
and throat and breast are yellow, broadly
edged with green, giving scaly appearance.
The tail is green with the base of the outer
tail-feathers marked with orange-red. The
lower flanks, thighs and undertail-coverts
green are strongly marked with yellow, while
the underwing-coverts are orange-red. They
have orange-red eyes, and their bills
(beaks) are dark coral-red. Their legs are
generally grey-brown. Juveniles are similar
to adults in appearance, but their tails are
shorter. Eyes are pale brown or black, and
bills are brown with some yellow markings or
orange with brown markings. Scaly lorikeets have similar
habits to the related
Rainbow Lorikeet, and the
two species often group
together in mixed flocks.
Both species feed mainly on
nectar, such as that from
the Broad-leaved Paperbark
(Melaleuca quinquenervia),
and pollen, but they also
eat blossoms, berries, other
fruit, icecream, seeds, and
insects and their larvae.
They are very fond of
cultivated fruits and often
cause damage in orchards;
they also raid sorghum and
maize crops to feed on
unripe milky grain.
|
|
Birth Date: 05/11/08
Age: 12 weeks
Gender: Unknown Sexed: -
Condition: Beautifully feathered, strong colour
Weaned: Yes |
