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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Psittaculidae
  4. ›
  5. Trichoglossus
  6. ›
  7. Scaly-breasted Lorikeet
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet
Photo · no rights reserved

BirdUp · Species

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus(Kuhl, 1820)

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PSITTACIFORMES
Family
Psittaculidae
Genus
Trichoglossus

At a glance

The Scaly-breasted Lorikeet is a medium-sized bird, about 24 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
24 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet look like?

The Scaly-breasted Lorikeet is a medium-sized bird, about 24 cm long and weighing 77–97 g.

The scaly-breasted lorikeet is an Australian lorikeet found in woodland in eastern Australia. The common name aptly describes this bird, which has yellow breast feathers broadly edged with green that look like scales.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
24 cm
Weight
77–97 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet?

The Scaly-breasted Lorikeet is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

Rosie Steinberg · Sancrox NSW 2446, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet eat?

The Scaly-breasted Lorikeet feeds on nectar/pollen, usually foraging in flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

The BirdUp app

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Scaly-breasted Lorikeet live in Australia?

The Scaly-breasted Lorikeet is endemic to Australia, recorded across 28 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingSouth-east Cape York Pen., north-east QLD to east-central NSW (east Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant
  • Non-breeding

8 regions recorded