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Musk Lorikeet

Did you know?

Musk Lorikeets are gregarious, often mixing with other parrots when feeding, including Scaly-breasted Lorikeets, Little Lorikeets and Swift Parrots.

Calls
The usual contact call is a shrill metallic screech, higher than the Rainbow Lorikeet, in flight and when perched. They constantly chatter when feeding.
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
No
Minimum Size: 
20cm
Maximum Size: 
23cm
Average size: 
22cm
Average weight: 
70g
Breeding season: 
August to January
Clutch Size: 
2
Incubation: 
22 days
Nestling Period: 
50 days
Conservation Status
Federal: 
Secure
NSW: 
Secure
NT: 
Not present
QLD: 
Secure
SA: 
Secure
TAS: 
Secure
VIC: 
Secure
WA: 
Not present
Associated Plants
Plants associated with this species
Eucalyptus species
including: E.albens
E. sideroxylon
E. gummifera
E. camaldulensis.
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Glossopsitta concinna
Featured bird groups: 
Parrots
Atlas Number: 
258
What does it look like?
Description: 

The Musk Lorikeet is a medium-sized, sturdy lorikeet, sometimes seen in large flocks when trees are flowering and often in mixed flocks with other parrots and other birds. They are active and noisy. This lorikeet is mostly green, with a yellow patch at the side of the breast. It has a bright red forehead and band through the eye to the ear coverts. The crown is blue, with females having less blue than males. In flight, brown flight feathers and the golden tail are revealed. Flight is fast and direct, with short angular wings and a medium-length, pointed to wedge-shaped tail.

Similar species: 

Musk Lorikeets are bigger and have a longer tail than Purple-crowned Lorikeets, G. porphyrocephala, or Little Lorikeets, G. pusilla, and are smaller than Scaly-breasted Lorikeets, Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus, with a much shorter tail. The Musk Lorikeet has obvious yellow patches on the side of the breast in flight and a prominent red band on the face. The call in flight, a harsh rolling screech, is also helpful.

Where does it live?
Distribution: 

Musk Lorikeets are endemic to (only found in) south-eastern Australia, being widespread in eastern New South Wales, all regions of Victoria and in the south-east of South Australia.

Habitat: 

Musk Lorikeets are found in tall, open, dry forest and woodlands, dominated by eucalypts and are usually found in the canopy. They are also seen in suburban areas, parks and street trees. They roost or loaf in tall trees away from their feeding sites.

Seasonal movements: 

They are considered nomadic, following the flowering or fruiting of food trees and they travel widely for food.

What does it do?
Feeding: 

Musk Lorikeets feed in all levels of the canopy and are very active when foraging. They eat mainly pollen and nectar from eucalypts using their specialised brush-tipped tongues, but also eat seeds, fruits and insects and their larvae.

Breeding: 

Musk Lorikeets breed in hollow branches and holes in living eucalypts, often near watercourses. The entrance holes are usually very small, so they have to squeeze in. Eggs are laid on a base of chewed or decayed wood. The female incubate the eggs and both parents roost in the hollow at night.

Living with us

Declines in Musk Lorikeet populations have been caused by the clearance of eucalypts for agriculture, but they may benefit from plantings in towns. They do not inhabit logged forest. Some birds may be a pest in orchards.

References: 
Australian Birds: Their Nests and Eggs.
Field guide to Australian Birds.
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 4 {(Parrots} to Dollarbird)
Parrots and Pigeons of Australia
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