Musk lorikeet

Musk lorikeets are mainly green; they have a yellow patch at the side of the breast and a prominent red band on the face. The crown is blue, with females having less blue than males. In flight, brown flight feathers and the golden tail are revealed.

Musk Lorikeets are only found in south-eastern Australia, being widespread in eastern New South Wales, all regions of Victoria and in the south-east of South Australia. They may be observed in the canopy of tall, open, dry forest and woodlands, dominated by eucalypts. They are also seen in suburban areas, parks and street trees.  Using their specialised brush-tipped tongues they feed on pollen and nectar from eucalypts, but they also eat seeds, fruits, insects and their larvae.

As other parrots they rely on hollow branches and holes when breeding. They seek hollows in living eucalypts, often near watercourses. The entrance holes are usually very small, so they have to squeeze in. Eggs are laid on a base of chewed or decayed wood. The female incubate the eggs and both parents roost in the hollow at night.