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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Psittaculidae
  4. ›
  5. Psitteuteles
  6. ›
  7. Varied Lorikeet
Varied Lorikeet
Photo · Edward Lear

BirdUp · Species

Varied Lorikeet

Psitteuteles versicolor(Lear, 1831)

Updated 21 March 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PSITTACIFORMES
Family
Psittaculidae
Genus
Psitteuteles

At a glance

The Varied Lorikeet is a small bird, about 19–20 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
19–20 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Varied Lorikeet look like?

The Varied Lorikeet is a small bird, about 19–20 cm long and weighing 49–62 g.

The varied lorikeet, is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae that is endemic to the northern coastal regions of Australia.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
19–20 cm
Weight
49–62.2 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Varied Lorikeet?

The Varied 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

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Varied Lorikeet eat?

The Varied Lorikeet feeds on nectar/pollen, usually foraging in pairs or flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

2 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Varied Lorikeet live in Australia?

The Varied Lorikeet is endemic to Australia, recorded across 28 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingNorth-east WA to north-west QLD (north Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Vagrant
  • Resident

6 regions recorded