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How Does the Rainbow Lorikeet Protect Itself?

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Rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus) or rainbow lories are wee birds that prevalent in their native geographic scope, which includes Australia, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands. A lot of people have these birds living with them as pets. When it comes to protecting what's rightly their own, rainbow lorikeets generally don't hesitate to do what they must.

Rainbow Lorikeet Background

Rainbow lorikeets, when mature, usually are about 10 inches in length. Their feathers are as bright as their common name indicates, mixing elements of red, bright blue, green, yellow and black. They have red beaks and gray feet. The coloration of young rainbow lorikeets is comparatively lackluster and bland. Adult male and female rainbow lorikeets are similarly colored, but males have larger bodies.

Rainbow lorikeets in nature inhabit a wide spectrum of settings, including rain forests, parks and forests. As pets, these birds are often considered bold and somewhat comical household additions.

Predators

Rainbow lorikeets, like the majority of animals roaming the world, have to deal with predators in the wild. Some of the biggest concerns for these birds are diamond pythons (Morelia spilota), brown hawks (Falco berigora) and peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), among others. Rats also frequently prey on rainbow lorikeets, sometimes so much that it negatively affects their population, which, although they are not endangered, is decreasing.

Rainbow lorikeets frequently safeguard themselves against these animals by remaining in sizable social groups, deriving security in numbers. The individuals in these groups always remain vigilant. Once someone spots a potential predator, he'll loudly squeal so that everyone rapidly leaves the scene.

Protecting Food

A lot of rainbow lorikeet self-protection involves driving competitors away from their desired sustenance. They frequently run after bigger birds that come between them and their next meal. If a rainbow lorikeet has his eye on a specific flower that looks appetizing to him, he'll try to trail his opponent until he's totally out of the picture.

Territorial Birds

Rainbow lorikeets can be highly turf-oriented creatures, whether they're living inside as pets or out in the wild. When they feel that their ranking within their social group is compromised in any way, it isn't uncommon for them to fight and protect themselves fiercely, even to the death. Their bites can be pretty formidable, and their shrieks persistent and piercing. As pets, however, rainbow lorikeets aren't particularly big on nipping. Many fellow species of lorikeets actually nip a lot more often than these rainbow guys.