Lorikeets are known for their brilliant colors and playful antics. Smaller than most members of the parrot family, lorikeets rarely exceed 16 inches from the tips of their beaks to the tips of their tails. You'll need less room, whether you keep a single lorikeet or a pair. While lorikeets will breed in captivity, their genders are difficult to discern.
Physical Traits
Identical feathering and coloration make it impossible to discern a male lorikeet from a female. If you have a pair of the same age, the male will usually be slightly larger. The only way to tell with certainty is to have your veterinarian perform a DNA test using droppings or feathers.
Behavior
Mating behavior of the adult lorikeets reveals one of the few clues to their sex. The male begins the mating process by arching his neck, bobbing his head, whistling and hopping around in front of the female. The female lorikeet is the sole incubator of the eggs, although the male will spend time in the nest box with her and will help feed the offspring. The birds are sexually mature by 9 months old but usually do not mate until they reach 18 months to 2 years.
References
Photo Credits
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Writer Bio
Indulging her passion for vacation vagary through the written word on a full-time basis since 2010, travel funster Jodi Thornton-O'Connell guides readers to the unexpected, quirky, and awe-inspiring.
