Musk Lorikeet

Musks are a little smaller than the more common Rainbow Lorikeet. Although their plumage is strikingly colourful, Musk Lorikeets can sometimes be hard to see in the foliage. You are more likely to be alerted to their presence by their noisy feeding behaviour and constant moving. Their diet consists mostly of nectar and pollen with some fruit and invertebrates at times.

Normally, Musk Lorikeets are seen in small groups flying quickly between feeding sites. Sometimes they can be amongst flocks of Rainbow Lorikeets when their slightly higher-pitched and more clipped calls can identify them.

Like rainbows, musks are highly nomadic as they chase the blossoming patterns of nectar-rich trees and shrubs. Their nomadism explains why they can be present one day and gone the next.

The Ficifolias and Spotted Gums in the streets and parks of Drouin are one of the favourite feeding sites for Musk Lorikeets when the trees are in blossom. Often, the birds will stay in the same group of trees for several days.

Musk Lorikeets need tree hollows for nesting. They are a monogamous species despite the birds always being part of relatively large flocks.

As usual, Musk Lorikeet populations are in decline due to loss of habitat.