LORIE  

Lories or Lorikeets can be very good talkers and are known for having super personalities Lories love to play and want to interact with their owners as much as possible. They require at least one hour or more of daily interaction.

These birds also are able to learn basic tricks such as “step up”. Lories are also very vocal. These birds, which originate from Australia, have an average life span of 20-30 years.

Diet

The Lories main diet consists of nectar and fruit. They can eat some greens and some seed. Special diets which can be purchased at most pet stores have been formulated to feed the bird in either a wet form as a nectar or in a dry form as a powder. Make sure you have water near the powder, if that is what you are feeding, so the bird can take drinks while eating. Fresh fruit or unsweetened canned fruit should be fed regularly. Small pieces of fruit such as apple, pineapple, banana, melon, grapes, mango and pear should be 25% of your Lorie’s daily diet. Occasionally supplement your Lorie’s diet with fruit juice, such as natural apple juice. Lories need fresh water at all times, a vitamin supplement and a cuttle bone or mineral block to provide calcium and help keep the beak trim.

Housing  

Provide a roomy cage with space to spread their wings, climb, fly and play; a minimum of 18”W 22”L24”H with horizontal bars for climbing. Place in a well traveled draft-free area; do not place in the kitchen as smoke, odors and fumes may be harmful to your bird. Several perches of varied diameters and textures will help keep their feet healthy. Equip the cage with a variety of toys such as seed treats, swings, ladders, bells and branches. Do not crowd the cage with toys but rotate toys frequently to keep your bird interested. Cover the cage at night to prevent drafts.

Care

Basic cage care includes daily cleaning of the water and food dishes. Change paper bottoms daily and litter coverings every 2-3 days. Clean and disinfect the cage weekly. Wash and completely dry the perches and toys whenever they become soiled. In addition, the large amount of fruit intake can make the droppings very fluid, so extra care is needed to keep the surroundings clean.

Grooming

Lories need a warm water birdbath or misting shower 2-3 times a week. Clip their wings as needed to keep them from flying away. Long toenails may get caught on fabrics and affect their walking and should be trimmed regularly.

Health

Signs of illness to be aware of are if a bird is sitting at the bottom of the cage, shows a lack of activity, the feathers are ruffled, nasal discharge/sneezing, reduced appetite or if it shows any signs of weight loss (weight loss can be quick and fatal). Consult an avian veterinarian if any of these signs are noticed. Some common illnesses and injuries are: broken wings or legs, cuts and open wounds, overgrown beaks and nails, lameness or sore feet, feather picking, heat stroke, shock, concussions, egg binding, indigestion, eye disease, mites, watery eyes, colds, tumors, Psittacosis, coccidiosis, French molt, goiter, E. coli, Aspergillosis, conjunctivitis, constipation, diarrhea and arthritis.