Nesting Rainbow Lorikeets by hennanights
Rainbow lorikeets nest in the hallows of gum trees. About 80 ft above the ground. The eggs of the Rainbow Lorikeet are laid on chewed, decayed wood. They compete with other parrots, particularly with rosellas, for nest sites. They are a very aggressive bird and invariably win. Both sexes prepare the nest cavity and feed the young, but only the female incubates the eggs. Their young leave the nesting hollow for the first time after 7-8 weeks but return to the nest to roost for a short time. Afterwards the young bird will join other unmated birds in the communal roost so that the parents can have new babies. After two years these young birds have reached sexual maturity and will in turn find a mate and have a family of their own. They can live for about 20 years.
