Hand Fed Goldie's Lorikeet - Psitteuteles goldiei

Noise Level & Talking Ability

Goldie's lorikeets are relatively quiet birds. They are not known for making loud or frequent noises, but may produce the occasional whistle-like noise outside of their usual small chirps and chitters. Goldie's lorikeets are not known for being phenomenal talkers, but certainly may learn a few words or short phrases. Additionally, they may learn to mimic sounds and noises from their environment.

Physical Features

These small lorikeets are around 7.5 inches in length with a fairly round body-shape. The beak is black with a dramatic hooked end. The cere is light grey. The crown and forecrown is bright red, the eye and red crown are edged in purple, and the lower parts of the face are deep pink with small flecks of dark purple. The iris is brown. The nape, breast, and belly are lime green with dark green, broken, vertical lines giving a watermelon-like appearance. The wings, back, and tail are dark green. The flights have a very dark edge on them. The feet and legs are light grey with black nails.
Young birds have overall duller plumage and lack the red crown.

Pet Profile

Goldie's lorikeets make fantastic pets. Their playful energy makes them an engaging and entertaining addition to any flock. They can be trained with relative ease and are typically very gentle and easy-going. 

Spending plenty of quality time with your Goldie's lorikeet is important to ensure they remain comfortable and calm with handling. Like any bird, the pet quality is a direct reflection of the effort being put into the relationship.

Diet

Like all lories and lorikeets, these birds require a specialized diet and will not thrive on a typical "hookbill diet". A lori-specific food is necessary for the long term care and keeping of this species. 

Lory nectar should be offered twice daily, the diet can be supplemented with specifically formulated dry diets. A variety of low iron fruits and vegetables should also be offered as often as possible. Vitamin C content should also be taken into consideration, as it helps with iron uptake. Goldie's lorikeets will typically eat about 4 - 5 oz of food per day

Fruits, including dried, can be used as treats. DO NOT offer these birds millet, sunflower, and other common parrot treats.

Seed and non lory-specific pellets must not be offered.

Housing

While Goldie's lorikeets are small, they greatly benefit from space to move around. They can often be seen running parallel along perches. A minimum of 4qft should be provided to these birds, with a heavy preference toward a wide cage. 

Several perches and ladders of various materials and diameters should be offered. Toys are important for keeping these birds entertained. Due to the nature of their diets, stainless steel and acrylic toys are generally advisable. 

Breeding Information

Wild Status

Least Concern - Decreasing 
Last assessed August 2018 for the IUCN Red List.