I lost my tongue!!

[Chantilly]

So this is what one of the volonteers told me was the reason lorikeets cant eat seed, because it is not soft enough and they will lose their brush tongue and then if they fly out you're door, will starve because they lost their way of licking up nectar and pollen.

-Seed based diet causes permanent loss of the 'brush tongue' and the birds can never eat their normal, liquid diet

-Seed based diets cause obesity related ill-health problems and death.

Just thought you's might be intrested!

[JessiMuse]

Huh... That's an interesting tidbit of info for sure.

I'll admit, the title definitely got me.

Have you tried some safe flowers to let him try to get the nectar from directly? I would imagine that to be a great foraging idea for lories. Though I don't know how you would teach one to suck nectar out of a flower though, if they've never done it before.

But I have seen specially made feeders for wild lorikeets. They lot of them look similar to hummingbird feeders. (though this one is one of the more unique ones I've found)

[Wolf]

While I could not say that there is not some truth in this, because I just don't know, I do know that some seed is a part of their natural diet, although it is only a very small part of it. I do know also that they have difficulty in digesting seeds. Still it is an interesting claim and I would have to research it further before I could say any more than this. I will when I get the time to do so.

[Chantilly]

Huh... That's an interesting tidbit of info for sure.

I'll admit, the title definitely got me.

Have you tried some safe flowers to let him try to get the nectar from directly? I would imagine that to be a great foraging idea for lories. Though I don't know how you would teach one to suck nectar out of a flower though, if they've never done it before.

But I have seen specially made feeders for wild lorikeets. They lot of them look similar to hummingbird feeders. (though this one is one of the more unique ones I've found)

Hehe yes I figured it would catch eyes No I havent tried flowers, but I am looking out for them, I am going out tommorow, wont be back until Tuesday.. Hopefully I will find some wild lorikeets eating native flowers then, and I will grab some for Shrek ! That is a really cool looking feeder! Almost looks hike one of those dripping parrot water bottles!

While I could not say that there is not some truth in this, because I just don't know, I do know that some seed is a part of their natural diet, although it is only a very small part of it. I do know also that they have difficulty in digesting seeds. Still it is an interesting claim and I would have to research it further before I could say any more than this. I will when I get the time to do so.

To me I does make sense, I mean their tongue is really fury, but it is very fine fur so I can imaging it would easily snap or break!

[JessiMuse]

You're in Australia, right? You could probably be able to give some Eucalyptus when it flowers. I remember in the artical I gave you a link to, the person who made the article included a picture of her Lorikeets eating eucalyptus flowers.

It's possible they might have a better time eating softer seeds than the harder ones found in the usual mix. Maybe sprouting them could fix that. I would imagine it would still require to be in moderation, because of their specialized diet.

I actually had to look up what a lory's tongue looked like. I'll admit, it's kinda freaky.

Do you think the "brush tongue" could just be referring to the bristles on the very end? I think the absence of those alone could probably make it difficult to drink nectar.
You know... I've been licked by a caique before, but I can't imagine what lorikeet tongue feels like. And from what I've read, they're apparently supposed to be known for licking everything. Do you know if that's true or not, Chantilly?

[Pajarita]

Yes, it's the 'hairs' at the tip that gives it the 'brush tongue' name. And, yes, I would assume that if you feed hard stuff, the bristles would become 'worn out' and thus shorter and shorter until they are not longer efficient.

I don't know if they actually eat any seed... I would think that they can obtain all the protein they need from the pollen in the flowers. And, if I remember correctly, they also get microscopic larva and insect eggs that fall in the nectar during the season when they feed the babies in the nest.

[Chantilly]

You're in Australia, right? You could probably be able to give some Eucalyptus when it flowers. I remember in the artical I gave you a link to, the person who made the article included a picture of her Lorikeets eating eucalyptus flowers.

It's possible they might have a better time eating softer seeds than the harder ones found in the usual mix. Maybe sprouting them could fix that. I would imagine it would still require to be in moderation, because of their specialized diet.

I actually had to look up what a lory's tongue looked like. I'll admit, it's kinda freaky.

Do you think the "brush tongue" could just be referring to the bristles on the very end? I think the absence of those alone could probably make it difficult to drink nectar.
You know... I've been licked by a caique before, but I can't imagine what lorikeet tongue feels like. And from what I've read, they're apparently supposed to be known for licking everything. Do you know if that's true or not, Chantilly?

Yes I am i Australia That is a great idea! I am not sure when eucaliptus goes to flower but when it does I will get her some branches!
Haha yes it is true they do lick allot! Shrek seems to lick everything new that she hasnt seen before perhaps it is like a 6th sense sort of thing . Also Shrekies brush/bristles are actually a black or brown, they feel really funny when they touch you, just like fur.. While we were out yesterday I was able to get some a native grevillia! Shrekie knew exactly what to do and she is so happy with it!

Flowers Yay!

image.jpg (98.02 KiB) Viewed 5140 times

It also had little seed pods on it, and she is eating them! There was only about five on there, and she really wanted them so I let her. Tilly wasnt intrested though!

Yes, it's the 'hairs' at the tip that gives it the 'brush tongue' name. And, yes, I would assume that if you feed hard stuff, the bristles would become 'worn out' and thus shorter and shorter until they are not longer efficient.

I don't know if they actually eat any seed... I would think that they can obtain all the protein they need from the pollen in the flowers. And, if I remember correctly, they also get microscopic larva and insect eggs that fall in the nectar during the season when they feed the babies in the nest.

That makes sense I think it is very intreseting that black cockatoos LOVE insects! They must not get enough protein from the Australian seeds and nuts, but I dont think sulfer crested cockatoos, galahs, correlas ect: are known for eating insects.. I wonder what the difference is in their diet.

[Wolf]

It also makes me wonder what the differences in their dietary requirements are as there is a decided link that appears to me to work both ways, the diet of our birds is dependent upon the requirements of their bodies and some of the requirements of their bodies are dependent on what there is available to eat.

[Chantilly]

It also makes me wonder what the differences in their dietary requirements are as there is a decided link that appears to me to work both ways, the diet of our birds is dependent upon the requirements of their bodies and some of the requirements of their bodies are dependent on what there is available to eat.

Yes! Well where we are we get allot of red tailed black cockatoos, rainbow lorikeets, galahs, short bill correlas, pale faced rosellas, king parrots, a few white cockatoos and about 3 hours drive from us there are flocks of yellow tailed black cockatoos.
But all in the general area, similar things would be available, mabye there is too much competition that changes what is there...

[Pajarita]

It also makes me wonder what the differences in their dietary requirements are as there is a decided link that appears to me to work both ways, the diet of our birds is dependent upon the requirements of their bodies and some of the requirements of their bodies are dependent on what there is available to eat.

Exactly so! And that is what evolution is all about, isn't it? A species that, through mutations, evolves to be able to thrive on what the environment it lives in is providing. Definitely a two way street direct link!