Australia is lucky enough to have several species of brightly coloured Lorikeets. Named after their stunning technicoloured appearance, rainbow lorikeets are a beautiful sight in many Australian backyards, parks and gardens. In the early 1900s Rainbow lorikeet numbers were concerning, but after protections were put in place, their numbers have steadily built over the last 60 odd years. Larger birds, feral cats and the international parrot trade still pose a threat to these stunning birds, but their numbers are currently strong.
Hunter Valley Wildlife Park’s walk through Lorikeet Sanctuary is home to Rainbow Lorikeets, Scaly Breasted Lorikeets, and Red-Collared Lorikeets. Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park also boasts a selection of Lorikeets in their aviary.
C175: 25.30CM
SEXES: SIMILAR
HABITAT: Found in open forests and closed
DIET: Their diet consists of nectar, pollen, fruit, seeds and insects
BREEDING: Both sexes prepare the nest cavity and feed the young, but only the female incubates
the egg. The clutch size is between and s eggs, which are incubated for 25 days.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Although wide easterly
distribution, often locally common in southern Queensland.
SIZE: 23CM
SEXES: SIMILAR
HABITAT: Woodland, urban parks and gardens
DIET: Eucalyptus and Banksia flowers, not as adaptable to cultivated foods as the familiar Rainbow Lorikeet
BREEDING: May-February, nests are made in a tree hollow. 2-3 eggs laid and incubated for 29 days.
GENERAL INFORMATION: similar to the Raindow Lorikeet, replacing the former in the Northern Territory and Kimberely region.
SEXES: SIMILAR
Largest Australian Lorikeet, they are less tolerant of urbanisation than their cousins.
SIZE: 26 CM
HABITAT: Woodland, swamps, parks and gardens.
DIET: Range of native flower nectar and insect larvae
BREEDING: Aug-Dec, 1-3 eggs laid in a tree hollow and incubated for 23 days. Young fledge at 8-9 weeks.
The smallest of the Surviving Tiger subspecies, the Sumatran Tiger’s Coat is orange and black striped with a whitish underside and white beard. They have whiskers, long ears, and are small with dark ‘predator spots’.
Sumatran tigers are territorial; living in home ranges in which they maintain several dens. They hunt at night as they are nocturnal animals.
Number of offspring: 2 – 4 cubs every 3 – 4 years
Gestation: 90 – 110 days
Maturity: 3 – 4 years
Lifespan: 10 – 20 years
Predators: No true natural predators
Tigers Carnivorous; eating fish, crocodile, pig, deer, fowl
Females come into estrus every 3-9 weeks and mating can occur year round with no specific breeding season.
Cubs are helpless at birth and eyes do not open for 1-2 weeks. Females nurse and care for dependent young until they can hunt for themselves at 18-36 months.
Tiger Social structures
Solitary; males control a territory with a number of females. Females can often be seen with their most recent offspring for up to 3 years.
If you’d like to get up close to a Tiger, Mogo Wildlife Park has a Tiger encounter available.