The musk lorikeet is a lorikeet, now the only species in the genus Glossopsitta. It inhabits south-central/eastern Australia. The little lorikeet and the purple-crowned lorikeet were previously included in the genus. The musk lorikeet was first described by ornithologist George Shaw in 1790 as Psittacus concinnus, from a collection in the vicinity of Port Jackson in what is now Sydney. John Latham described it as Psittacus australis. Its specific epithet is the Latin concinna "elegant". Other common names include red-eared lorikeet, and green keet, and formerly a local Sydney indigenous term coolich. The names green leek and king parrot have been incorrectly applied to this species in the past.
Region
South-central and eastern Australia
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern South Australia through Victoria and New South Wales into southeastern Queensland. Favors flowering eucalypt woodlands, open forests, riverine corridors, and coastal heath. Common in urban parks, streetscapes, and gardens with nectar-rich plantings such as bottlebrush and grevillea. Movements are largely driven by the availability of blossoms and lerp.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
This small lorikeet uses a brush-tipped tongue to lap nectar and pollen, making it a key pollinator of flowering eucalypts. Highly mobile, it tracks blooming trees and readily visits urban gardens planted with bottlebrush and grevillea. Noisy, fast-flying flocks are a common sight in southeastern Australian cities during peak flowering.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, direct flight
Social Behavior
Often travels in small to medium flocks that swell at abundant flowering trees. Forms monogamous pairs, nesting in tree hollows lined with wood dust. Breeding timing varies with blossom availability but commonly occurs from late winter through summer.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, high-pitched chatter and metallic screeches, especially in flight. At feeding sites it gives rapid twittering and scolding notes, creating a constant, lively chorus.
Plumage
Bright green overall with a red forehead and ear patch, blue crown and face, and yellowish highlights on the wing bend and underwing.
Diet
Primarily nectar and pollen from eucalypts, bottlebrush, and grevilleas, gathered with a specialized brush-tipped tongue. Also consumes soft fruits and lerp, and will take small quantities of insects incidentally. Frequently visits suburban feeders and flowering ornamentals when native blossoms are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the canopy of flowering trees, both in natural woodlands and urban greenspaces. Often forages communally at prolific bloom sites, moving quickly between trees and locations as resources change.
