What is a rainbow lorikeet mutation?

What is a rainbow lorikeet mutation?

A pied mutation is when expected color displays in areas on a bird are replaced by patches of other colors that are not expected, as well as some unusual body markings. The bird is a Rainbow Lorikeet that was recently spotted in North Rothbury, a small village located in the state of New South Wales in Australia.

Do lorikeets interbreed?

On the Bellerine Peninsula in Southern Victoria, three Lorikeet species have been interbreeding and hybridising to produce birds with some unique markings.

How many times a year do rainbow lorikeets breed?

Rainbow lorikeets reach sexual maturity after two years and a pair of rainbow lorikeets can produce up to three broods of two eggs in a season. The breeding season varies widely between regions, depending on climate and resource availability, but generally occurs from August to January in southern Australia.

What is a pied lorikeet?

This is the first Lutino Rainbow Lorikeet in the world. These coloured birds, which are wrongly called lutino or pieds, are in fact an acquired colour. These birds rarely, if ever, reproduce coloured chicks, whereas the lutino, being a sex-linked mutation, is guaranteed to reproduce.

How long does a rainbow lorikeet live in captivity?

Health. Lorikeets can live for approximately 7-9 years. Your lorikeet should visit the vet at least once a year for a health check; this is the equivalent of us visiting the doctor once every 10 years!

Is rainbow lorikeet easy to breed?

These popular pets are smaller than many other species in the parrot family; along with their curious, social disposition this makes them easy pets to keep. They are also fairly easy to breed in captivity with the right preparation. Pick out a male and female pair.

How do you breed a lorikeet?

Lorikeets are naturally nectar feeders. In the wild they feed on the nectar (pollen) of native flowers such as bottlebrush and grevilleas. They do this using their unique brush-like tongue. They will also feed on berries and fruits and sometimes greens.

What time of year do lorikeets breed?

Rainbow lorikeets can breed all year round producing up to two eggs each time. They will breed from about 12 months either in colonies or as a breeding pair in an individual aviary.

What colour eyes do lorikeets have?

Juvinile bird have duller plumage then the adult, brown eye instead of black and a black beak instead of bright red/orange. It can take up to a year before juviniles fully colour up and get their bright colours.

What is a double factor lorikeet?

When pairing a dominant colour gene with a partner of the same dominant colour gene the offspring produced can receive a double dose from both parents. Double Factor Jade is Olive or True Olive. An olive mutation will produce jade offspring paired to a normal bird.

What is double factor in birds?

Single and double factor refers to the pair of genes controlling the pied modifier. Because the mutation is semi-dominant, one gene of the pair (they are always in pairs) is enough to produce the mutation i.e. single factor. Double factor birds are not twice as pied, but in fact are indistinguishable visibly.

What are the different types of rainbow lorikeets?

The Grey-green Rainbow Lorikeet (mutation) The Jade Rainbow Lorikeet (mutation) The Cinnamon Rainbow Lorikeet (mutation) The Mustard Rainbow Lorikeet (mutation) The Blue-fronted Rainbow Lorikeet (mutation) The Lutino Rainbow Lorikeet (mutation)

What do rainbow lorikeets eat?

The Rainbow Lorikeet is well established in aviculture and a number of colour mutations have been developed. Lorikeets possess a brush tipped tongue which is used to extract nectar and pollen from flowering trees. In captivity; a commercial lorikeet mix and a variety of fruit and vegetables is acceptable.

How do you get a lorikeet to breed?

Supply a well-rounded diet. When encouraging lorikeets to breed, be sure they have a daily supply of fresh water and plenty of food, including a morning offering of a wet food mix developed for lorikeets, as well as fresh vegetables including broccoli, beans and peas.

How often do rainbow lorikeets lay eggs?

Rainbow lorikeets can breed at any time of the year, and reach maturity when they are about a year old. Most pairs will lay one or two eggs, which will almost always be viable. When deciding to breed lorikeets, research some of the color mutations that have been developed in captive birds.