Brevard Zoo | Australasia Exhibit

Africa

La Selva

Austral/Asia

Wild Florida

Paws on Play

Lorikeets

Lories and lorikeets are small to medium-sized arboreal parrots which comprise the subfamily Loriinae. They are widely distributed throughout the Australasian region, including southeastern Asia, Polynesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia. Lories and lorikeets have specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar and soft fruits. They can feed from the flowers of about 5,000 species of plants and use their special tongues to take in the nectar. The tip of their tongues have tufts of papillae (extremely fine hairs), which collect nectar and pollen.

Lorikeets

Lorikeets have tapered wings and pointed tails that allow them to fly easily and display great agility. They also have strong feet and legs. They tend to be hyperactive and clownish in personality, both in captivity and the wild.The Ultramarine lorikeet is endangered. It is now one of the 50 rarest birds in the world. The Blue lorikeet is classified as vulnerable. The introduction of European rats to the small island habitats of these birds is a major cause of their endangerment. Various conservation efforts have been made to relocate some of these birds to locations free of predation and habitat destruction.