Lorikeets belong to the parrot family which includes cockatoos, budgerigars and rosellas. They belong to a group of parrots that instead of eating seeds, has developed brush tongues ideal for lapping nectar and pollen from flowers. They feed on nectar and fruit. The strong beak of the lorikeet is used to crack nuts and berries. They can be found between South East Australia and Northern Queensland.
All lorikeets are brightly coloured, but the rainbow lorikeet is one of the brightest and least shy.
It appears that the brightly coloured plumage of the lorikeet is important in establishing appropriate social responses amoung members of a flock. Other names for this lorikeet include rainbow lory, Blue Mountain lorikeet, Blue Mountain parrot and blue-bellied lorikeet. Males and females appear similar. Lorikeets lay 2 oval white eggs in a tree hollow. Both parents feed the young, which learn to fly in 8 weeks.