Lorikeet

Iron storage disease

SignsLethargy, swollen abdomen, labored breathing, reduced appetite, sometimes sudden death

PreventionAvoid iron-rich foods (raisins, spinach, liver); use a low-iron nectar

Candidiasis

SignsWhite moss-like coating in the mouth or on the tongue, trouble eating, regurgitation, swollen crop

PreventionReplace nectar every 3–4 hours in summer and at least twice a day in winter. Wash and dry dishes every time

Bacterial enteritis

SignsDroppings turn green to black, foul odor, bloody droppings, fluffed up and motionless

PreventionNever feed spoiled nectar or fruit. Wash and disinfect dishes and cage floor daily

Hypoglycemia

SignsSudden unsteadiness, falling off the perch, seizures, collapse

PreventionNever run out of nectar. Check the level morning and evening; always top up before going out

Psittacosis

SignsGreen to yellow droppings, eye or nasal discharge, sneezing, fluffed feathers

PreventionTest on arrival. Quarantine new birds; mist droppings before cleaning so they do not dry out

PBFD

SignsFeathers fall out and do not regrow, beak deformity, abnormal feather shafts

PreventionDNA test before bringing the bird home. Avoid contact with infected birds; do not share equipment

Bleeding beak or nail

PreventionRemove gaps and splinters in the cage that can snag. Trim nails only to a length that will not bleed

First aidPress styptic powder or cornstarch on the spot and apply pressure for several minutes. If it does not stop, keep pressing and see a vet immediately

Fractured wing or leg

PreventionCover windows and mirrors and switch off ceiling fans before free-flight. Watch for falls during upside-down play

First aidDo not touch the wing or leg; place in a small box, dark and warm. Do not splint yourself; see a vet the same day

Bumblefoot (pododermatitis)

PreventionUse natural-wood perches of varying thickness. Wash perches soiled with droppings daily

First aidIf you see redness or swelling, switch to softer perches and see a vet within a few days

Burns and scalds

PreventionDo not cook while the bird is out. Never leave hot drinks, pots, or irons out

First aidCool the area with room-temperature water for several minutes. No ice. Do not apply ointment; see a vet the same day

Psittacosis

RouteInhaling dried droppings or feather dust; mouth-to-beak feeding

PreventionMist droppings before cleaning. No mouth-to-beak feeding. See a doctor if cold-like symptoms persist

Salmonellosis

RouteOral, from hands or equipment contaminated with droppings

PreventionWash hands after care. Wipe up sprayed droppings at once. Keep food and dishes separate

Campylobacteriosis

RouteOral, from hands or equipment contaminated with droppings

PreventionWash nectar dishes separately from kitchen dishes. Do not let young children do the care

Bird-related hypersensitivity pneumonitis

RouteLong-term inhalation of feather dust and dried-dropping dust

PreventionClean and ventilate daily. Use an air purifier. If a cough persists, tell your doctor you keep birds

Food

• Lorikeet-specific nectar (mixed from powder) as the staple
• Low-iron pellets or pollen powder as a supplement. Mix fresh 2–3 times a day
• Small amounts of apple, pear, grapes, melon; flowers such as hibiscus

Water

• Fresh water always available separately from nectar; change twice a day
• Keep bathing water separate from drinking water; change as soon as it is dirty

Toys & play

• Swings, ropes, and rings to hang from
• Destructible toys of paper or soft wood to chew
• Foraging toys where flowers or fruit can be hidden

Nest, bed & hideout

• Normally no nest box; it triggers hormonal behavior
• Dark and quiet at night; cover the cage for 10–12 hours of rest

Bedding & litter

• Line the cage floor with newspaper or pet sheets; change daily
• Protect surrounding walls and floor with clear guards or waterproof sheets against sprayed droppings
• No sand or wood shavings on the floor (mold, accidental ingestion)

Cage / housing material

Stainless steel or safely coated metal. No galvanized or rusted cages

Size & space

At least 60 W x 45 D x 60 H cm. Larger on days without free-flight

Layout

• Several perches of different thickness; place dishes where droppings will not land
• Nectar dish above the perch; separate bath dish
• Ropes and swings to hang from near the top

Placement notes

• Keep away from the kitchen (fumes from nonstick pans are lethal)
• Avoid direct sun and air-conditioner drafts; choose a bright spot where the family is visible

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Free-flight 1–2 hours a day, after covering windows, mirrors, water, and cooking equipment
• Never leave the bird unattended while out. Cover furniture; droppings fly
• Flying, climbing, and hanging games for exercise and mental stimulation

Temperature & humidity

Temperature22–28°C. Below 15°C or a sudden cold snap causes illness

Humidity50–60%. Humidify in dry seasons; supplement with bathing

Summer & winter

• Summer: replace nectar every 3–4 hours; discard at once if sour-smelling or cloudy
• Winter: pet heater plus thermometer; cover at night to retain warmth

Nail trimming

Natural-wood perches wear nails down naturally. Have overgrown nails trimmed at the vet. At home, cut only short of the quick

Brushing, skin & coat care

No brushing needed. Bathing and misting several times a week keep feathers clean. Boost nutrition during molt

Other care

See a vet for an overgrown or chipped beak. Check the tongue daily for white patches. Keep warm after bathing to prevent chills

Protection from predators

• No free-flight in rooms with dogs or cats. Cat saliva is lethal
• Do not take out on the balcony. Crows and raptors target them
• Keep windows and screens closed so mosquitoes and flies cannot get in

Foreign-body ingestion

Chews and swallows metal pieces, button batteries, and lint. Clear the floor before free-flight. If lethargic with green-black droppings, suspect metal poisoning and see a vet immediately

Being stepped on

Plays on its back on the floor, so watch your feet. Call out when family walk through; check where the bird is before opening or closing doors

Getting pinched

Squeezes into doors, drawers, and sofa gaps. Fix doors open during free-flight; keep out of sofa and bed gaps

Falls

Slips easily during upside-down play. String ropes inside the cage and lay towels on the floor. If one wing droops after a fall, see a vet that day

Escape

A strong flier that travels far once out. Close windows and alert the family before free-flight. If it escapes, put the cage and favorite food outside, keep calling its name, and contact a rescue group

Safe release procedure

1. Freeze; relax the bitten hand and stay quiet
2. With the other hand, gently press down the upper beak to open the mouth
3. The moment the beak opens, withdraw your hand and return the bird to the cage
4. Give it space for a while and review the cause of biting (hormones, fear)

After the release

Wash the wound under running water and disinfect. For deep wounds, swelling, or fever, see a doctor. If biting continues, consult an avian vet

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Bring the nectar type and how often it is changed, photos of droppings, weight history, time of last meal, and the actual object chewed

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Breathing: watch chest and tail movement and look for open-mouth breathing
• Heartbeat: place a finger on the chest and feel for a very fast vibration
• Consciousness: call its name and touch the beak or feet to check for a response

Stopping bleeding

• Press clean gauze on the wound for several minutes
• For bleeding nails, beak, or feather shafts, press on styptic powder or cornstarch
• If it will not stop or the bird is weakening, transport while maintaining pressure

Transport

• Line a small carrier or box with a towel; warm with a hand warmer
• Dark, quiet, no jolting; bring a small amount of nectar