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Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

(Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus)
Size: 22-24 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Scaly-breasted Lorikeets are most common along the coast of south QLD and the far north coast of NSW, but are found along the east coast from the tip of Cape York to about the Sydney area. They are found up to a few hundred km inland, all through the Great Dividing Range behind the coastal range mentioned above. Following human settlement they are extending their range further inland, but they are not found anywhere in the semi-arid or arid interior outside human settlements.

Scaly-breasted Lorikeets can be found in open coastal forest. They adapt very well to the presence of humans and are found in urban parks and gardens as well.

Sightings

Scaly-breasted Lorikeets are not common in the area where we live (Narrabri, NSW). However, we spotted a few in Iluka, on the north side of the Clarence River downs, NSW, in 2004.

Next seen in September 2008, in a town park in Moree, just 100 km north of Narrabri. Together with Rainbow Lorikeets, they were making a racket before settling down for the night.

Possibly seen 20 km west of Barraba, NSW, in December 2008.

Seen also in various locations in coastal QLD and also at Kroombit Tops National Park, central QLD, in July 2009.

In June 2011 also spotted in the Manning River estuary and along the NSW Central Coast.

Photos

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Near-frontal view of a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet on a coastal banksia

It looked a bit possessive about this particular flower

Here seen in the typical head-down feeding position

Clear view of the underside

View from behind of a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

Small flock of Scaly-breasted Lorikeets in flight

Scaly-breasted Lorikeets in the first light of day

Hybrid

In June 2011 a hybrid lorikeet was reported at Chain Valley Bay South, a bay of Lake Macquarie on the NSW Central Coast. We subsequently spotted a second hybrid, most likely between a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet and a Musk Lorikeet.

Hybrid lorikeet feeding; one can see clearly the orange scaling typical of a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet and the red forehead of a Musk Lorikeet

Different perspective

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Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Dispersive Elementary unit: Flock

Scaly-breasted Lorikeets are gregarious, often noisy birds.

Scaly-breasted Lorikeets are known to like hanging head-down, not only when feeding (as shown above).

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet checking out its surroundings, hanging from a branch...

...now check the other side; the bird hung there like this for minutes on end

Food

Scaly-breasted Lorikeets feed on fruit, nectar and seeds.