Bringing the vibrant Little Lorikeet into your aviary can be a rewarding experience. This guide, the second part of a series, focuses on the essential aspects of their diet and breeding requirements, offering practical advice for successful keeping and propagation. With their active nature and relatively moderate noise level, Little Lorikeets can be an attractive addition to any bird collection, provided they receive proper care and attention.
Diet for Little Lorikeets
A balanced diet is crucial for the health and successful breeding of Little Lorikeets. The following recommendations are based on a successful feeding regimen, adaptable for varying numbers of birds.
Dry Mix
A staple dry mix can be prepared and stored in bulk. The ingredients are:
- 14 packets of Farex Original Baby Cereal
- 4 kg of raw sugar
- 1 kg of skim milk powder
- 2 tablespoons of Ornithon multi-vitamin powder
Thoroughly combine these ingredients and store in 20-litre plastic buckets or similar containers.
Wet Mix
A supplementary wet mix can be made using the dry mix as a base:
- 1 cup of the dry mix
- 1 apple, diced
- 2 Weetbix biscuits
- 1 tablespoon of honey
Combine these ingredients in a blender, add water, and blend at high speed until well mixed. This mixture should be served in small baby food jars, with approximately 50mm provided per pair per day. The described amount should be sufficient for about 30 pairs.
Supplements
In addition to the dry and wet mixes, provide supplemental foods to ensure a complete diet:
- Green food: Offer spinach (silver beet) at least twice a week, with half a leaf per pair. Native bottlebrush blossoms (callistemons) are also highly favored when available.
- Fruits: Apples and pears are preferred fruits and should be fed at least twice a week.
- For nesting pairs: Plain Madeira cake, cut into three fingers per slice, with one finger offered to each pair every second day, is beneficial when chicks are in the nest.
- Calcium: A small amount of calcium syrup can be added to the wet mix when chicks are being fed.
- Grasses: Green seeding grasses should be offered when they are in season.
Breeding Season and Nesting Requirements
Little Lorikeets are capable of breeding at one year old and are generally successful if paired appropriately. Their breeding season typically commences as early as June and can extend through December, with most pairs successfully raising at least two clutches within this period. A standard clutch size consists of four eggs, though clutches of five have been observed on rare occasions.
Nest Box Specifications
Nest boxes can be oriented either vertically or horizontally. Ideal dimensions are approximately 120-150mm square and 300mm deep or long.
- Vertical boxes: A 40mm hole should be cut into the front, about 60mm down from the lid.
- Horizontal boxes: A 40mm hole should be cut into the side, approximately 60mm from the end and 60mm down from the top.
Natural hollow tree spouts can also be used, but are not essential.
Interior Nest Box Features
Inside the nest box:
- A wire ladder should be attached to the front wall of vertical boxes and to the floor of horizontal boxes. Ensure there are no sharp wire ends that could injure the birds or snag leg rings.
- The primary nesting material recommended is coarse hardwood sawdust, such as that produced by chainsaw milling. If sourcing sawdust from mills or timber yards, confirm it is hardwood and free from treated pine dust.
Incubation and Chick Rearing
Incubation typically lasts 20-21 days, with only the female incubating the eggs. However, the male may spend time within the nest box. Newly hatched chicks are covered in white down, which is usually shed around one week of age, just before pin feathers begin to emerge. The distinctive red facial masks are visible before any feathers appear. Both parents feed the chicks. It is important to monitor the nest box for excessive dampness and clean it, replacing the nesting material as needed. This maintenance has not historically led to nest abandonment in experienced keepers’ care.
Fledging and Independence
Chicks usually leave the nest at approximately five weeks of age and become independent within two weeks. It is advisable to remove fledglings once they are self-feeding, especially if the adult birds appear ready to commence another nesting attempt, as they can become defensive.
Little Lorikeets are considered active, attractive, and not overly noisy birds. With proper care, they can live for 15 years or more. Hand-reared individuals can become affectionate, with some males learning to vocalize a few words.
Housing
Suspended cages are the preferred enclosure for this species, typically measuring 1800mm long by 600-700mm square. These cages should be securely mounted on a frame and protected from the elements. Pairs housed side-by-side often seem to appreciate each other’s company, though some territorial squabbling across the wire may occur during the breeding season. As long as direct contact is prevented, these interactions are generally not problematic. With dedicated effort and appropriate care, the Little Lorikeet can indeed be a delightful addition to an aviary.
