The Swainson’s Lorikeet (or Rainbow Lorikeet) (Trichoglossus moluccanus) is a beautiful bird with brightly colored feathers that lives in noisy groups. They are found in Australia and Tasmania.

They are about 30 cm. Males and female looks the same. They live in rainforest areas, coastal scrubland and forest areas. They eat nectar and pollen from native plants and trees. But also fruit and seeds are on the menu.

In the Netherlands, where I live, you can see (and especially hear) them in large groups in the zoo in Emmen (Wildlands). You can also find them in the bird park AviFauna in Alphen aan den Rijn, where I took this photo. You can get a bowl of nectar and then they come to you in large numbers, chattering loudly, to snack on the nectar, while sitting on your hand, arm, head or shoulders.Reference photo: Own photo taken in the AviFauna bird park.

Reference photo: Own photo taken in the AviFauna bird park in the Netherlands.

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