Rainbow Lorikeet Welfare Needs

Rainbow Lorikeet Welfare Needs

(Trichoglossus moluccanus)

These birds are very social birds so being housed with other will encourage them to display natural behaviours such as interacting with other birds. Providing suitable nesting materials and box will encourage breeding behaviours.

Lorikeets naturally swing and hang upside down to get nectar. providing wings and ropes can help mimic these behaviours. Providing a shallow water dish or bird bath will allow them to splah and clean themselves.

To allow Rainbow Lorikeets display natural behaviour, should give them foraging opportunies this could be done by using puzzle toys and food to encourage this, hide treats in puzzle feeders or among the branches to simulate their foraging instincts.

Natural Behaviours

Ensure the enclosure is easy to clean and maintain. Cleaning regularly is essential to prevent buildup of waste and bacteria.

Feeding and water bowls should be provided in stainless steel dishes that can be clipped onto the bars to prevent spillage.

Should include natural perches, with an array of heights. Could also include a mixture of toys such as ropes, swings, balls and foraging toys for enrichment.

Adequate spacing for the number of birds in the enclosure is essential. If the environment has bars, they should be less than 2.5 cm to prevent the birds from escaping.

Suitable Environment

Alongside nectar, they eat a variety of fruits including mango, peach, banana, papaya, grapes, berries, kiwi, pear, and apples, all with the seeds and stones removed. They are also able to eat a range of vegetables.

Fresh water is provided daily. Native vegetation, such as bottlebrush, eucalyptus, grevillea, and banksia plants could be added.

They need daily nectar for health, as it provides essential carbohydrates. With a high metabolism and a short digestive tract, they must eat frequently, requiring nectar to be renewed twice a day.

Suitable Diet

Their current diet consists of Lori nectar Am and Pm, as well as fruits and vetetables in the morning. Mineral supplements is sprinkled on this three times a week. This is a suitable diet for the species, and provides are essential nutritients needed. Their enclosure provides them with an indoor and outdoor area with natural perches at different heights. A shallow water dish for bathing is provided. They also have a variety of enrichment for feeding. They are also housed in a group as they are a social species. Improvements could be adding swings in their enclosure to promote natural behaviours.

Evaluation Of Current Housing/ Husbandry

Rainbow Lorikeets are highly sociable birds that require to be housed in groups as they would natural travel in groups of around 12-24, but are sometimes seen in groups of up to 100 individuals. Gather in larger groups in areas that are common feeding grounds. In captivity they are typically housed in pairs or small groups to ensure they have enough space and social interaction without overcrowding. Can be housed in larger groups, but it is essentail to provide appropriate space to prevent stress and aggression.

Housed With Or Without Others

Suffering

Healthy

To ensure they remain health a banlanced diet rich in nectar, fruits and soecialised lorikeet pellets. Avoid seeds as their digestive systems are not designed for them.To limit disease provide a clean environment that is regularly cleaned to prevent buildup of bacteria. Including food and water dishes which can be cleaned by using hot water. Regular health checks to monitor their health and catch any issues as early as possible to limit suffering. Monitoring behaviour is important as this could indicate illness or pain.

Free From Pain, Injury, Suffering, and Disease.