Red Lory: Complete Care Guide

In this guide

A vivid, intense little bird that shares the rainbow lorikeet's specialised nectar diet and demands a genuinely committed owner.

The red lory shares its family's brush-tipped tongue and nectar-based diet with the rainbow lorikeet, but carries its own striking, mostly scarlet-red colouring and an intensity of personality that even experienced lory keepers describe as a lot to handle.

Characteristics and behaviour

Red lories are highly active, bold and, by most accounts, one of the more intense personalities in the parrot world, not a shy or reserved species by any measure. They do best in a one-bird household or with another lory for company, since their strong personalities do not always suit a busy multi-pet home. Without enough daily attention, red lories, like other lories, can develop behavioural problems including self-mutilation.

Diet

As with the rainbow lorikeet, a specialised commercial nectar mix forms the staple of a red lory's diet, supplemented with fresh fruit such as banana, orange and melon, along with flowers such as hibiscus where available. Seeds are not a natural or appropriate primary food for this species. Because the diet spoils quickly and produces very loose droppings, keeping a lory means committing to genuinely frequent cleaning.

Habitat and maintenance

A roomy cage with daily out-of-cage playtime suits this energetic species well. Given the mess their liquid diet produces, many owners find an easy-clean setup or an area that tolerates frequent spraying makes daily life considerably more manageable.

Lifespan

Red lories can live more than 30 years with attentive, consistent care, a genuine long-term commitment that suits a dedicated, experienced bird keeper far better than a casual first-time owner.

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