Editing Rainbow lorikeet (section)

=== Diet ===
[[File:Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, New South Wales, AU imported from iNaturalist photo 350109099.jpg|thumb|Eating watermelon with a [[scaly-breasted lorikeet]]]]
Rainbow lorikeets feed mainly on fruit, pollen and nectar, and possess a tongue adapted especially for their particular diet. The end of the tongue is equipped with a [[papillate]] appendage adapted to gathering pollen and nectar from flowers.<ref>Low, R. (1977): ''Lories and Lorikeets – the brush-tongued parrots''. [[Paul Elek]] Ltd., London</ref> Nectar from [[eucalyptus]] is important in Australia, other important nectar sources are ''[[Pittosporum]]'', ''[[Grevillea]]'', ''[[Spathodea campanulata]]'' (African tulip-tree), and ''[[Metroxylon sagu]]'' (sago palm).<ref name = "HBW"/> In Melanesia [[coconut]]s are very important food sources, and rainbow lorikeets are important pollinators of these.<ref name = "Vanuatu"/> They also consume the fruits of ''[[Ficus]]'', ''[[Trema (plant)|Trema]]'', ''[[Muntingia]]'', as well as papaya and mangoes already opened by [[fruit bat]]s. They also eat crops such as [[apple]]s, and will raid [[maize]] and [[sorghum]].<ref name = "HBW"/>  They are also frequent visitors at bird feeders placed in gardens, which supply store-bought nectar, sunflower seeds, and fruits such as apples, grapes and pears.

In many places, including campsites and suburban gardens, wild lorikeets are so used to humans that they can be hand-fed. The [[Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary]] in [[Queensland]], Australia, is noted for its thousands of lorikeets. Around 8am and 4pm each day the birds gather in a huge, noisy flock in the park's main area. Visitors are encouraged to feed them a specially prepared nectar, and the birds will happily settle on people's arms and heads to consume it. Wild rainbow lorikeets can also be hand-fed by visitors at [[Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary]] in [[Brisbane]], Queensland, Australia.

Semi-tame lorikeets are common daily visitors in many Sydney backyards, though many people, ignorant of their dietary requirements, feed them bread or bread coated with honey. This is an inadequate source of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that the rainbow lorikeet requires and can lead to health and feather formation issues in young lorikeets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reptilepark.com.au/animalprofile.asp?id=37 |title=Rainbow Lorikeet Diet, Habitat & Reproduction - |location=NSW |publisher=Reptilepark.com.au |access-date=2018-04-14 |archive-date=2016-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325000020/http://www.reptilepark.com.au/animalprofile.asp?id=37 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Packet mixes with a nutritional mix suitable for feeding lorikeets are generally available from vets and pet stores.<ref>{{cite web|title=Feeding Lorikeets|url=http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/fact-sheets/pets/pets-pet-care-native-animals/feeding-lorikeets/2374/#.WFOCAWW9q0s|website=Burke's Backyard|date=19 September 2013 |access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref><gallery mode="packed" heights="160">
File:Lorikeet closeup.jpg|Drinking ''[[Banksia]]'' nectar
File:Rainbow lorikeet and Aloe sp Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha P1030135.jpg|Drinking ''[[Aloe]]'' nectar
File:(1)Rainbow Lorikeet 057a.jpg|Drinking ''[[Grevillea]]'' nectar
File:Rainbow lorikeet 7th Brigade Park Chermside P1110169.jpg|Drinking ''[[Erythrina crista-galli]]'' nectar
</gallery>