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Lories and lorikeets are native to areas in Australia and the South Pacific islands. Because they are not legally exported from Australia, most companion birds are obtained through quality domestic breeders. In general, lorikeets may be slightly smaller than lories in size. Lorikeets have pointed tails; lories have rounded tails. The Blue Mountain Lorikeet and Blue-streaked Lory are species commonly maintained as pets due to their cheerful, affectionate natures. Lories are distinguished from other psittacines by their tongues, which have elongated papillae that form brush-like tips adapted for the collection of pollen and nectar. In captivity, their dietary requirements are not as specialized and do not need to include soft gruels, nectars and special powders.
| What to Expect from Your Lorie |
Lories are brilliantly colored, playful birds with extroverted personalities and entertaining antics. Due to their curious nature, these birds are often subject to traumatic injuries in captivity. Although they have limited talking ability, they can be noisy, making a variety of high-pitched sounds. Because of their high-carbohydrate, liquid diet and relatively loose droppings, lories may be best appreciated in outdoor aviaries in a temperate climate. Because the birds also enjoy frequent baths, this environment provides the opportunity for them to play in light rains. Pets kept on dry diets do fine and are not as messy.Lories can be housed in colonies with known birds, but they may attack and kill newly introduced species. The primary consideration for the long-term health of lories is their diet. Improper feeding may lead to stress-induced disease.
| Is Your Lory a Male or a Female? |
In most lory species it is impossible to distinguish a male from a female; therefore, surgical or laboratory methods must be used for sex determination in breeding facilities. Lories and lorikeets are somewhat of a challenge to breed but the offspring are easy to hand-raise.
| What Do Lories Do All Day? |
Lories are playful and can chase, retrieve and roll over. They are easily amused with simple toys. Because they love to chew, any toys must be free of toxic metals, hooks, sharp objects or small, easily consumed components. It is recommended to provide chew toys or fresh-cut branches from non-toxic trees. Check with local authorities for recommendations of safe trees.
Young, hand-raised lories adapt readily to new surroundings and handling procedures. They should be exposed early in life to novel situations (car travel, hospital visits, multiple visitors in the household, other household pets) so that they are well adjusted to these events. Lories tame easily and seek the company of their owners. Lories are the companion bird species least likely to revert to a "wild" state if the level of attention in reduced.
| What Your Veterinarian Looks For in a Healthy Lorie |
Clear, Bright Eyes (No Discharge) Dry, Open Nares Smooth Beak Even, Reptilian Pattern on the Feet Nails of Appropriate Length Body Free of Lumps and Bumps Smooth, Bright Feathers Without Color Breaks, Transparency or Ragged Edges Alert, Erect Posture
| How to Identify Your Bird |
Two methods used to permanently mark companion birds for identification purposes are tattoos and microchips (both are injected under the skin). Individually number leg bands are not reliable for identification. Every bird has a unique scale pattern on the feet. Photographs of the feet (updated periodically as the bird ages) can be maintained in the bird's record to confirm its identity and to prevent fraud that can occur with other techniques.
| Why The Wings Should Be Clipped |
Lories that are allowed unrestricted freedom in the home become aggressive and can encounter numerous physical dangers or toxins; therefore, wing clipping is recommended. The goal of clipping the wings is NOT to make the bird incapable of flight, but to prevent escape. Your lory or lorikeet will require additional trimming eight to twelve weeks after the start of a molt cycle. Birds maintained in outdoor aviaries (with double safety doors) may not require wing clipping.
| How to Keep Your Lorie Healthy, Happy and Safe! |
Give lots of attention. Feed a fresh, high quality, pesticide-free diet formulated, like Harrison's Fine Grind products and add a little sweetner specifically for lories. Limit supplementation to pesticide-free fruits or vegetables.Do not offer a source of grit. Provide clean, fresh, uncontaminated water (try using water bottles). Remove and replace food and water containers twice daily to maximize activity in a healthy bird. Provide clean water for bathing.
| Housing for your lory should: |
Be as large as possible. Be clean, secure, safe and easy to service. Be constructed of durable, non-toxic material. Contain variable-sized perches made of clean, nontoxic, pesticide-free tree branches. Have food and water containers placed at opposite ends of the enclosure. Avoid having perches located directly over food containers. Offer opportunity for protected outdoor exposure to fresh air, sunlight and exercise.
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