The marigold lorikeet or Sumba lorikeet is a species of parrot that is endemic to the Southeast Asian islands of Sumba, Rote, Wetar and Kisar (Indonesia) and Timor. It was previously considered a subspecies of the rainbow lorikeet, but following a review in 1997, it is increasingly treated as a separate species.
Region
Lesser Sunda Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs on Sumba, Rote, Wetar, Kisar, and Timor, inhabiting lowland and foothill forests, woodland edges, and secondary growth. It frequently uses coconut groves, village gardens, and plantations where flowering trees are abundant. The species forages mainly in the canopy but readily descends to mid-levels when feeding. It is often seen in noisy, fast-moving flocks commuting between feeding sites.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the Sumba lorikeet, this species was split from the rainbow lorikeet complex in the late 1990s. It has a brush-tipped tongue adapted for feeding on nectar and pollen. Birds move nomadically among flowering trees and can be conspicuous around villages and plantations. Local trapping and habitat loss occur, but the species is currently considered not at risk overall.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; swift and direct
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small, noisy flocks, sometimes gathering in larger groups at rich food sources. Monogamous pairs nest in tree cavities, often high in trunks or large branches. Clutch size is typically two eggs, and both parents attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp screeches and metallic chattering, often given in flight. At feeding sites they produce a constant twittering and rasping chatter with occasional harsher notes.
Plumage
Bright green upperparts with a vivid marigold-yellow to orange head and breast, often with fine darker barring; belly typically bluish to violet with green flanks.
Diet
Primarily consumes nectar and pollen from flowering trees such as coconuts, Erythrina, and other native blossoms. Also takes soft fruits like figs and papaya and occasionally laps sap or consumes small invertebrates. Its brush-tipped tongue is specialized for extracting nectar efficiently.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the upper canopy of forests, woodland edges, and cultivated areas with flowering trees. Common around coconut plantations and village gardens where blooms are abundant.
