Voice
Thin, cricket-like screech in contact in flight. Shrill chatter when feeding. Soft twitter while resting during the day. All calls higher in pitch than that of Coconut Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus).
Varied Lorikeet (Psitteuteles versicolor) [XC761139]
by James Lambert from Leanyer, City of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (call)
Varied Lorikeet (Psitteuteles versicolor) [XC840797]
by Phil Gregory from Adelaide River, Coomalie Shire, Northern Territory, Australia (call, flight call)
Breeding Season (Guide)
Mainly April - August but throughout the year.
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Nest
In a hollow of a tree.
Eggs (Guide)
2 - 4; white; round; about 24 x 20 mm. Incubation: about 22 days; by female.
Young
Fledge in 5 - 6 weeks. Fed by both parents.
Subspecies
Sometimes placed in genus Trichoglossus.
No subspecies.
Similar Species
When flying over-head with Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus) which is larger, has red underwing coverts, and lacks the red crown and red streaking on the breast, Little Lorikeet (Glossopsitta pusilla) which has a yellowish undertail and Double-eyed Fig-Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma) which has a black bill and red cheeks.
References
See References.
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9
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BirdLife International Species Factsheet