Fun Little Lorikeet Facts For Kids

Also popular by names such as the red-faced lorikeet, little lory, slit, and gizzie, the little lorikeet is the smallest green-hued Australian parrot that has a pretty red face. These birds are widespread within their habitat range but they can be hardly spotted as they tend to dwell deep in forests.

The easiest trick to identify these birds is through their high-pitched shrieks and calls. Due to their green color, these lorikeets can conceal themselves by blending with the tree leaves and thick vegetative cover of riparian forests.

These birds are highly active and usually nomadic. They're highly sociable and can be spotted in mixed flocks while foraging. Did you know that the lorikeets are exceptionally smart?

They can be trained just like a pet dog. They're so intelligent that they can easily pick up words and phrases.

However, they can be noisy chatterboxes once they learn to talk. Next time you visit Queensland or Victoria, make sure to look out for the species as it is restricted within the boundaries of Australia.

Don't forget to read through some of these interesting facts about the black-throated gray warbler and myrtle warbler.

Little Lorikeet Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a little lorikeet?

The little lorikeet (Glossopsitta pusilla) is a species of bird belonging to the Psittacidae family of parrots.

What class of animal does a little lorikeet belong to?

The red-faced lorikeet is a member of the class Aves and Glossopsitta genus.

How many little lorikeets are there in the world?

Although no quantification details are available, the species is pretty common within its habitat range. Moreover, the population trend is currently stable with no major potential threats.

Where does a little lorikeet live?

The species is native to the lands of Australia and can sparsely be found elsewhere in the world. A large population distribution can be noticed throughout southern and eastern Australia spanning around places such as Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.

A small population distribution can also be found in Tasmania. Did you know that in 1877 the bird species was exported? Although attempts were made to introduce the species in Europe, these birds can hardly be found outside Australian borders.

What is a little lorikeet's habitat?

The habitat range of the red-faced lorikeet incorporates open woodlands and forests, particularly riparian and eucalyptus forests. They can be found near streams and rivers. These birds mostly prefer to dwell among fruit-bearing and flowering trees in orchards.

Who do little lorikeets live with?

This species is known to be highly sociable and can be often found in mixed flocks consisting of purple-crowned, musk, and rainbow lorikeets.

How long does a little lorikeet live?

In general, the small varieties of lorikeets have an average life span of 10 years in the wilderness whereas the larger ones can survive for around 20-25 years. However, the little lorikeet has a life expectancy of 15-20 years.

How do they reproduce?

Little information is available about the breeding habits of the bird species. However, the breeding season usually extends from June to January.

Post-copulation, a nest is generally built in the hollows or holes of trees. The nesting space is situated close to a water body surrounded by Eucalyptus trees. The incubation period continues for about 21-22 days while the nesting period extends for six weeks.

What is their conservation status?

The population of the little lorikeet (Glossopsitta pusilla) is plentiful within its geographical boundaries of Australia, unlike the kea parrots that are considered Endangered. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List has qualified the bird species to the Least Concern status.

Little Lorikeet Fun Facts

What do little lorikeets look like?

The little lorikeet is chiefly colored in green all over its body with yellow in its underparts. It possesses a red face while the shoulder and nape are bronze. The throat, lores, and crown of these birds are also shaded in bright red. They have a pale yellow-green belly.

The physical description of both sexes is almost alike apart from the dull green among the females. The juveniles exhibit a brown-colored bill and iris and a pale red face. Breeding adults have golden iris and black bill.

We've been unable to source an image of a little lorikeet and have used an image of a rainbow lorikeet instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of a little lorikeet, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at hello@kidadl.com.

How cute are they?

Little lorikeets are exceptionally cute. Their small size and vibrant green-colored plumage render them an appealing look.

How do they communicate?

High-pitched calls and lisping sounds are common vocalizations used by the species for interactions. The high-pitched 'tslit' has been identified. These birds emit powerful, loud calls. Did you ever hear a little lorikeet call? If you listen closely, you can sometimes hear them engaging in continuous twittering.

How big is a little lorikeet?

The little lorikeet (Glossopsitta pusilla) can grow up to an average length of 6 in (15 cm). They are comparatively smaller than the Amazon parrots measuring 10-20 in (25-50 cm) in length.

How fast can a little lorikeet fly?

The flight speed of the little lorikeets lacks detailed description and needs to be researched. However, it can be inferred that these birds can fly at an average speed of 31 mph (50 kph) as a member of the lorikeet family.

How much does a little lorikeet weigh?

As the name suggests, little lorikeets are small-sized parrots. They have an average weight in the range of 0.07-0.12 lb (34-53 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

The males and females do not have special attributions and are commonly referred to as cocks and hens respectively.

What would you call a baby little lorikeet?

The baby of a little lory is called a chick, nestling, or hatchling.

What do they eat?

Little lorikeets are herbivorous. These birds enjoy feeding on pollen and nectar extracted mostly from the flowers of Melaleuca, Xanthorrhoea, and Eucalyptus trees. They can be found visiting orchards occasionally, seldom feeding on fruits and berries.

Are they dangerous?

The species is not at all dangerous but this playful bird can engage in several mischievous acts. It has a friendly disposition.

Would they make a good pet?

Unlike the rainbow lorikeet, little lorikeets have the reputation of being difficult to handle pets. However, these small green-colored birds are reared as pets.

It must be kept in mind that despite the size, a little lorikeet requires lots of space to move freely and special attention must be given to its diet for a longer lifespan. These birds can prove to be pretty amusing pets when showered with proper nurture and care.

Did you know...

Are you aware of the little lorikeet meaning or what it represents? These tree-dwelling birds stand for strength, intelligence, and powerful expression. Since it's challenging to distinguish between males and females, they also embody equality in social status, roles, and responsibilities. These birds can be very intelligent talkers too!

What is the smallest lorikeet?

The little lorikeet is considered to be the smallest lorikeet in Australia. The smallest parrot species is the buff-faced pygmy parrot that measures just about 3.1 in (8 cm) in length.

Are lorikeets aggressive?

The lorikeet is an otherwise gentle bird species known for its affectionate and gregarious nature. It can gel well with flock members and humans alike. However, some of these birds can display violent behavior in captivity. Aggressiveness can also be seen during the breeding season, especially against competitive males.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Cuban amazon facts and yellow parakeet facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable parrot coloring pages.