How to Buy a Lorikeet in the United States | PetzLover
To buy a lorikeet in the United States, find a breeder or owner who can show you the bird eating its nectar or low-iron pellet diet, check its feathers, eyes and droppings in person, and set up a fresh-nectar routine before it comes home. Lories and lorikeets are outgoing, very vocal parrots that PetMD says can live 15 to 30 years, and their liquid diet gives them frequent, runny droppings, so they are among the messiest pet birds to keep.
This guide covers the species, diet, mess and noise, where to look, what to ask, health checks and costs. Breeders can read how to sell lorikeets.
Key points
- Lories and lorikeets eat nectar: PetMD says mixed nectar spoils quickly and must be made fresh every day.
- Their droppings are frequent and runny, so plan a cage spot and floor you can clean daily.
- Iron storage disease is a known risk; pellets should contain less than 100 ppm iron.
- PetMD says a rainbow lory usually costs at least $500 to $1,000, and up to $2,000.
Which lories and lorikeets are kept as pets?
PetMD counts more than 100 kinds of lories and lorikeets. Those it describes as pets include the rainbow lorikeet (also called the green-naped lory), Swainson's or Blue Mountain lorikeet, Goldie's lorikeet, the red or Moluccan lory, and the yellow-backed and yellow-streaked lories. Ask for the exact species, since size, voice and bite strength vary.
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Size | 5 to 13 inches long, depending on species |
| Lifespan | 15 to 30 years with proper care; about 10 to 40 depending on species |
| Diet | Powdered nectar mixed with water, or a low-iron pellet; limited fruit and vegetables |
| Droppings | Frequent and runny |
| Noise | Very vocal, and they do talk |
| Temperament | Outgoing and silly; may nip; territorial with other birds |
| Care level | Intermediate: best with some bird experience |
Who they suit: people with time every day for fresh food and cleaning, and with neighbors who will not mind a loud bird. PetMD suggests the smaller lorikeets for beginners because they have less bite force, and says lories should not be left unsupervised with children.
What does a lorikeet's nectar diet involve?
- Nectar: a high-quality commercial powdered nectar mixed with water. It is high in sugar and spoils quickly, so make a fresh batch daily and remove it within a couple of hours.
- Pellets: PetMD accepts a low-iron pelleted diet instead, with iron below 100 ppm.
- Fruit and vegetables: limited, cut small, and removed after 10 hours. Avoid citrus and other foods high in vitamin C.
- Never: seeds, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol or salty, fatty treats.
PetMD warns that lories develop hemochromatosis, iron storage disease, on high-iron foods, with iron deposits in the liver and heart, and that birds fed spoiled nectar risk dangerous yeast infections of the gut. The Vet Desk puts lorikeet food at about $9 to $20 a month.
How messy and noisy are lorikeets?
Very. PetMD says lories produce more frequent, runnier droppings, and advises spot-cleaning the habitat daily. Put the cage where the floor and nearby wall can be wiped, give a water dish large enough to bathe in, and expect sticky nectar on toys and perches. PetMD calls them very vocal, which matters in apartments and shared walls.
Where can you find lorikeets for sale in the US?
- Breeders: look for a US-bred bird with a closed leg band and a known hatch date. The Wild Bird Conservation Act has barred most imports of CITES-listed birds, which include parrots such as lories, since 1993.
- Owners rehoming an adult: often sold with the cage and the diet the bird knows; see how to take in a rehomed lorikeet.
- Bird rescues: The Vet Desk notes lorikeet rescues are uncommon, so ask general parrot rescues.
You can browse lorikeets for sale on PetzLover, filter by location and save the search to get alerts about new listings. Message the seller with your questions, then arrange to visit.
What should you ask a lorikeet seller?
- Which species is it, and when did it hatch? Is it banded, and was it hand-raised?
- Which nectar or pellet does it eat, how often, and what fruit?
- Has an avian vet examined it? Any tests for psittacosis (chlamydiosis) or psittacine beak and feather disease?
- Does it nip, and how does it react to other birds? PetMD says lories are highly territorial.
- When is it loudest, and does it talk?
- Will you take it back or help rehome it if it does not work out?
If you are rehoming your own lorikeet instead, read how to rehome your lorikeet responsibly.
How do you check a lorikeet's health?
Runny droppings are normal for a lory, but a change is not. PetMD lists abnormally colored or changed droppings, loss of appetite, rapid breathing and vomiting or regurgitating as signs that need an avian vet. Look for bright eyes, clean nostrils, smooth, colorful feathers with no missing patches and a bird that eats while you watch.
Book an avian vet within one to two weeks of bringing the bird home, as VCA advises for any new bird, and once a year after that. The CDC says infected pet birds can spread psittacosis to people while looking healthy, so wash your hands after cleaning and keep a new bird apart from your other birds until the vet clears it.
How much does a lorikeet cost?
| Item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow lory from a breeder | At least $500 to $1,000, up to $2,000 | PetMD, 2023 |
| Lorikeet from a breeder | $250 to $700 | The Vet Desk, 2026 |
| Initial setup and supplies | $200 to $290 | The Vet Desk, 2026 |
| Monthly costs, food included | $34 to $83 | The Vet Desk, 2026 |
| Emergency fund for illness | About $1,000 | The Vet Desk, 2026 |
The cage matters most: PetMD calls for at least 36 by 24 by 36 inches for one adult, bars 1/2 inch apart or less, and no homemade, wooden or galvanized-wire cages. The Federal Trade Commission warns that sellers who demand gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency are scammers; use the Report Scam button on any such listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lorikeets good pets for beginners?
PetMD rates their care as intermediate and says they suit people with some bird experience. Smaller lorikeets can be easier for beginners because they bite less hard. The daily nectar routine and cleaning are the biggest hurdles.
How long do lorikeets live?
PetMD gives 15 to 30 years with proper care, and a wider range of about 10 to 40 years depending on species. Plan for a commitment of decades.
Can lorikeets eat seeds?
No. PetMD lists seeds among foods to avoid. Lories eat a commercial nectar or a low-iron pellet, with limited fruit and vegetables.
Why are lorikeet droppings so runny?
PetMD says their digestive tract produces more frequent, runnier droppings. That is normal, but a sudden change in color or consistency is a reason to call an avian vet.
Can I keep a lorikeet with other birds?
Be careful. PetMD says lories and lorikeets are highly territorial, will fight other birds and should be housed singly. Introduce any bird only with an avian vet's or experienced keeper's advice.
How much is a rainbow lorikeet for sale?
PetMD says a rainbow lory usually costs at least $500 to $1,000 and can reach $2,000, while The Vet Desk gives $250 to $700 for a lorikeet from a breeder. Add the cage, setup and about $34 to $83 a month in running costs.
Helpful guides
Pet for SaleHow to Sell Lorikeets in the United StatesSell only healthy, banded, US-bred lorikeets eating a reliable nectar or low-iron pellet diet, price against real sources, explain the mess and noise plainly, screen buyers on diet and cleaning, and hand over in person with food and a care sheet.
Pet for RehomingHow to Take In a Rehomed Lorikeet in the United StatesAsk why the lorikeet is leaving, what it eats and how it behaves, see it in its current home, get an avian vet check and quarantine, then keep its nectar routine and settle it slowly.
Pet for RehomingHow to Rehome Your Lorikeet Responsibly in the United StatesTry fixes first, then write an honest rehoming ad about the nectar routine, droppings, noise and nipping, disclose health history, screen adopters for daily care, ask a modest fee and hand over in person with food and records.