Lorikeets are unique in the parrot world because in the wild their main source of nutrition is nectar. So if you don’t properly feed your pet lorikeet the correct diet then it can have a big impact on its health. With a healthy diet, your lorikeet will live a long and healthy diet, reducing any potential future health problems. Keep reading and we’ll show you the diet and nutrition your lorikeet needs, plus which food brands are best for a lorikeet.
Comparison of Lorikeet Foods
| Name | Image | Price | Type |  Our Rating | Our Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quiko Lori |  | Check Price On Amazon | Nectar | 5/5 | Best Overall |
| Nekton Lori |  | Check Price On Amazon | Nectar | 4/5 | |
| Blessings Gourmet Lory Powder |  | Check Price On Amazon | Nectar | 4.5/5 | Recommended |
| Pretty Bird International Lory Food with Fructose |  | Check Price On Amazon | Nectar | 3.5/5 | |
| RoudyBush Lory Nectar |  | Check Price On Amazon | Nectar | 4/5 |
Lorikeet Food Guide
Lorikeet Diet & Nutrition
Lorikeets have evolved a long brush shaped tongue that is used to feed on nectar, pollen and high sugar based plants. This unique nectar based diet is unique for lorikeets. When feeding your pet lorikeet, try to mimic a diet similar to what they would have in nature.
Lorikeet Food List: Nectar, Fruit & Vegetables
Lories need access to both dry and wet food. Wet food is the nectar mix that is combined with water and you can buy in pet stores, whereas dry food is the fruit and vegetables. They have trouble eating seeds so these shouldn’t be fed to them. Below are lists for some of the foods you can feed your bird:
Nectar
Most of a lorikeets diet and nutrition should come from a nectar mix.
You should provide foods that are similar to the nectar found in the wild such as the products listed below. Each of these mixes will come with instructions telling you how much water and the mix should be added together.
One important thing to remember with these mixes are that they should be changed and replaced regularly so that the mixture does “go off” as it builds up bacteria in warm moist climates. Some of the best lorikeet food brands include:
- Quiko Lori
- Nekton Lori
- Blessings Gourmet Lory Powder
- Pretty Bird International Lory Food
- RoudyBush Lory Nectar
Reviews for each of these mixes can be found below.
Fruit
- Watermelons
- Melons
- Pears
- Peaches
- Apples
- Plums
- Bananas
- Blueberries
Acidic type fruits can be fed but less so since too much of this will upset their stomach, so try a small number of things like lemons and oranges.
Vegetables
- Carrots
- Sweetcorn
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Cauliflower
Try to avoid vegetables that are too starchy and bulky.
Lot’s of water
Lorikeets need a lot of water and moisture in their diet. Have a large container for them to drink and ensure it is changed daily so the source is fresh.
In addition to this, have a separate bird bath which your birds can use for cleaning.
If your lorikeet rejects some of these food items, try again at a later date, sometimes they just don’t feel like certain foods and will be happy to eat them in the future.
Foods to avoid
- Avocado
- Chocolate
- Anything with caffeine in it
- Seeds
Other views on feeding lorikeets can be seen in the video below:
5 Best Lorikeet Food Reviews
With the foods below, we looked at the makeup of the food ingredients, their sourcing quality, their price and how organic they were to then decide which was the best lorikeet food.
1. Quiko Lori
Our Rating
5 out of 5
We give this brand Quiko the award for the best lorikeet food due to its high-quality, healthy ingredients and also its affordable price to match.
- Many lories prefer the taste of this compared to other feeds.
- Can be fed to them dry but is best with water.
- Lorikeets produce less mess
- Enough to last about one month for a lorikeet.
- Resealable lid for storage.
- Promotes good health and feather quality.
- Some users say there is a slight scent to the food.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
2. Nekton Lori
Our Rating
4 out of 5
- High quality and highly concentrated mix that’s used in zoo’s and by breeders.
- A broad range of ingredients will provide a mix that matches their wild diet.
- Doesn’t coat the bird’s beak.
- Many customers become lifelong users after trying.
- Some users have reported messy droppings.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
3. Blessings Gourmet Lory Powder
Our Rating
4.5 out of 5
Almost took the top spot for the best lorikeet food but Blessings lost out because their price high is a bit high for some. Otherwise highly recommended.
- Made using human quality ingredients.
- Uses natural ingredients, no sugar or artificial flavorings added.
- Available in bulk sizes to save costs.
- Created by US & OZ lory breeders.
- Smells good.
- Outside of the range of some users budgets.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
4. Pretty Bird International Lory Food with Fructose
Our Rating
3.5 out of 5
- An alternative option if you’re having issues with the standard nectar diet.
- One of the few available pelleted foods aimed at lorikeets.
- Reduces messy waste.
- Experiment and see how your bird responds to pellets as a nectar based diet natural is what a lorikeet would experience in the wild.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
5. RoudyBush Lory Nectar
Our Rating
4 out of 5
- Ideal if you’re looking to bulk order, expensive upfront but money saving over the long term.
- Plant based with no added animal products, plus free from added sugars or colors.
- Has a lower sugar quantity compared to other lory products available.
- Can be stored and is long lasting.
- Not for use with lorikeet chicks.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
Loading ...Final Decision
When choosing your lorikeet foods, remember that these parrots have unique dietary requirements and must mostly have nectar based foods. You should supplement this with some fruits, vegetables and plenty of water. After looking at all of the foods on offer we decided that the Quiko Lori was the best overall choice.
Here are the Top 5 Best Lorikeet Foods for your birds again:
- Quiko Lori
- Nekton Lori
- Blessings Gourmet Lory Powder
- Pretty Bird International Lory Food
- RoudyBush Lory Nectar
Further Reading
References:
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22725334/95228767
https://www.hbw.com/species/rainbow-lorikeet-trichoglossus-moluccanus#Bibliography
http://www.publish.csiro.au/mu/pdf/MU966069b
