Psittaciformes - Psitteuteles

Varied Lorikeet - Psitteuteles Versicolor - Least Concern

Varied lorikeet, species Psitteuteles versicolor, is a parrot, family Psittacidae, endemic to northern coastal regions of Australia.

Description: The varied lorikeet is about 19 centimetres (7.5 in) long. It is mainly green with short yellow longitudinal streaks. The lores, forehead, and crown are red. The beak is red, the bare eye-rings are white, the lores are bare, and the irises are orange-yellow. The upper breast is mauve with longitudinal yellow streaks. The legs are bluish-grey. In the female the red on the head is less extensive, and the breast has duller colours. Juveniles are much duller and are mainly green with an orange forehead, pale-brown irises, and a brown beak that is orange at the base.

Breeding: The varied lorikeet mates in April–August and will lay 2–4 white eggs in a tree hollow.

Range and Habitat: The varied lorikeet lives in tropical eucalypt forests, wetland and grassland areas in northern Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.