aussiebirder

Spring has sprung again here down under in Australia, and once again the native flowers drip with loads of nectar proving food for our over 76 species of Honeyeater. One which exists and breeds in prolific numbers here around the Sydney and east coast regions is the beautiful Rainbow Lorikeet.

Though this bird loves feeding on nectar and eucalypt blossom it does not possess the straw like retractable tongue of many of our other honeyeaters but uses its tongue to flick nectar into its mouth. It is delightful at present to see them hanging and feeding from the bright red bottlebrush flowers on our large courtyard tree. Their loud raucous chatter to one another. As my book “says: “What Bird Teach Us” says, these birds pair for life, and are most likely to be seen travelling and feeding in pairs.

Here is a good view of the tongue action of the Lorikeet on our Bottlebrush tree blooms. The Lorikeets have a brush like structure on the tip of their tongues which assists in their nectar getting. The amazing fact about our Australian wildflowers is that they grow in the poorest of soils yet produce more nectar more frequently than most other flowers. Also research has found that birds memorise every flower they have visited and give a time clock on each bloom as to when they revisit it on the same day when it has replenished its nectar.

Find out more about this bird in my book What Birds Teach Us which also has beautiful coloured photographs of the birds. These books are available online and can be sent to to international addresses as many of my blog Followers can testify. Click on the picture below to find out more. The page will open on a new tab.

Lorikeets, similar to other Parrot species are affectionate and very loyal to their partners and are often seen preening each other and giving pleasure and assisting to remove irritating lice with their beaks for their partners. The lorikeet is a bird that most other species will not fight with or interact as in pairs they are quite savage if attacked. They will defend each other using their extremely sharp beak to penetrate deeply the back of any bird that would attack its mate. Each pair is a formidable team.

Similar to other Parrots, Lorikeets nest in tree holes and their juvenile young can be identified by their dull plumage colour and dark beaks and eyes.

Some flight shots I captured:

Lorikeets feed mainly on nectar, pollen and soft native berry fruits. The bird here is feeding on the native rainforest Lilly Pilly berry.

Rainbow Lorikeets are high energy cheerful sounding birds which are faithful partners throughout life. The sound of their joyful excited chatter makes one think they are sharing the enjoyment of feeding together as life long friends and partners. Both parents are involved with nesting and caring for their offspring. If you want some tips on good parenting and life decisions my second book “Flight of a Fledgling” may be helpful. Click on the book cover image on the left to find out more.

The Rainbow Lorikeet is a good example to us of a life blessed with a joyful, peaceful faithful relationship. A kind, Joyful peaceful, thankful attitude has many positive health benefits emotionally, physically, socially, mentally and spiritually. Daily practising this mindset strengthens the immune system preventing susceptibility to infection, lowers stress levels, lowers blood pressure helping reduce cardiovascular risk, improves sleep and increases emotional strength with a greater resilience to deal with difficulties. It has been found to aid longevity, improve memory, social interaction and popularity as this attitude will improve empathy, positivity, and assist in making one desirable to be with as it encourages and uplifts the spirits of those in their company. These qualities help develop good and lasting friendships and marriage relationships. A true sustained joy and peace comes from a sure hope and a true faith which gives access to the true love source in the One true God our Loving Heavenly Father who opens his arms to embrace us through his son Jesus. Jesus is the gateway to true peace and joy in Life . Jesus gives to those who receive him into their lives, loving acceptance, security, significance, purpose and meaning.

Jesus said: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one can come to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

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Adv. Dip. in Counselling and Family Therapy.

Member of Birdlife Australia

To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

And learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed  by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026