Lorikeets

Back To All Resources

Lorikeet & Lory Care Guide

Lorikeets and lories are small parrots native to Australia, Southeast Asia, Polynesia, and Papua New Guinea. Commonly kept species include the rainbow lorikeet, scaly-breasted lorikeet, and the black-capped lory. They are colorful, interactive, and almost always ready to play. Their tongues have brush tips — unlike other parrots — which allow them to eat nectar. Pet lorikeets may live 10–30+ years.

Enclosure

Lorikeets should be housed in a cage with minimum dimensions of 36″ long × 24″ wide × 36″ tall, though larger enclosures are preferred. Numerous perches should be available at different levels to allow for exploration, with variable shapes and textures just as in other parrot species.

Due to their unique diet, lories and lorikeets produce more watery droppings. To manage the mess, many owners place the cage on linoleum, tile, or hardwood floors. If that isn’t possible, a large piece of plastic covering over the floor is recommended to protect carpets and rugs. The bottom of the cage and surrounding floor area will need frequent cleaning.

Temperature

As tropical species, lorikeets and lories prefer warm temperatures in the 65–80°F range. Supplemental heating may be required if the temperature drops below 60°F.

Humidity

Lorikeets prefer a humidity level of 40–70%, which can be measured with a hygrometer. A humidifier can be used if necessary. Many birds appreciate a warm misting or shower 1–2 times per week to encourage healthy skin and feathers.

Lighting

Access to sunlight is recommended, just as with other bird species. Ultraviolet-B rays in sunshine help the body produce vitamin D3, which in turn allows for appropriate calcium absorption. The best way to provide this is to take your bird outdoors in unfiltered sunlight. Keeping a bird near a window may help with normal circadian rhythms, but glass and window screens block UVB rays. Always monitor your bird closely outdoors to prevent overheating or escape.

If safe outdoor access isn’t possible, a UVB lamp such as ZooMed’s Avistar 5.0 is a good alternative. Place it 12–18 inches from the bird and run it for about 6 hours a day.

Diet

Lorikeets and lories have different dietary needs than other parrots. They eat a specialized diet of nectar and fruits, and many commercial lorikeet/lory nectars are available for pet birds.

It is also critical to understand these birds’ unique relationship with iron. They are able to extract nearly all of the iron present in their food, which can lead to iron storage disease (hemochromatosis) if too much iron is consumed. Life-threatening levels of iron can build up in the liver and other organs, causing profound liver damage and organ failure. Affected birds may have difficulty breathing, a fluid-filled swollen belly, depression, or may die suddenly. Treatment is possible but requires medications and dietary adjustments — prognosis varies depending on severity at the time of diagnosis. Prevention is always the best approach.

Iron guidelines:

  • Food should contain less than 100 ppm iron (some veterinarians recommend no more than 50 ppm)
  • A commercial diet with iron content under 100 ppm should make up 75–90% of the diet
  • The remainder of the diet should be low-iron produce — fruits between 5–10 ppm iron used no more than twice a week
  • Any item with more than 75 ppm vitamin C should be used no more than twice a week; items with 250 ppm or more should be occasional treats only (vitamin C promotes iron absorption but is still necessary in the diet)

Also have your drinking water’s iron content checked — including bottled water or water from a mineral filter. Public drinking water is generally around 0.3 ppm iron and should not adversely affect lories. However, groundwater (well water) can exceed 100 ppm iron and should be avoided.

Enrichment

Toys and foraging opportunities should always be available. A variety of wooden and plastic toys can be found at pet stores. Homemade options such as small pieces of notebook paper, paper towels, or plastic bottle caps work well too. Untreated wood branches from citrus or apple trees can be given for chewing.

Foraging looks a little different for lorikeets due to their diet — fresh foods can be hung on metal skewers in hard-to-reach spots so the bird has to work for them, or hidden in plastic foraging toys. Offering fruits with the rind on can also be fun. Do not leave fresh foods out for more than a few hours to prevent spoilage.

Wellness & Preventive Care

Lorikeets should have an annual wellness exam and fecal evaluation. Bloodwork may also be recommended to evaluate liver health. Depending on your bird and individual circumstances, infectious disease screening may also be appropriate. Microchipping is available and can help your bird find its way home in the event of an escape.