Musk Lorikeet

Glossopsitta concinna Australia • Small & Sweet
IUCN Status
Least Concern
The Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna) is a small, charming, and highly active lorikeet native to southeastern Australia. It features a bright green body with a distinctive red patch on the forehead and crown, blue highlights on the wings, and a subtle musk-like scent (hence the name). Known for its playful, affectionate, and bold personality, the Musk Lorikeet is one of the most popular smaller lorikeets in aviculture. It is a dedicated nectar feeder that brings constant energy and joy to any collection.

General Description

Common Name Musk Lorikeet
Latin Name Glossopsitta concinna
Family Psittacidae • Lorikeets & Lories
Adult Size 20–23 cm (8–9 in)
Weight 50–70 g
Life Span 15–25+ years in captivity
Sexual Maturity 1–2 years
Clutch Size 2 eggs
Gender Difference No reliable visual sexual dimorphism. Males are slightly larger; DNA testing is recommended.
Natural Habitat Open woodlands, forests, parks, and gardens, especially areas with flowering eucalypts.
Origin / Range Southeastern Australia (Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia).
Care Level Intermediate • Requires a specialized nectar diet and frequent feeding
Glossopsitta concinna - Musk Lorikeet
Glossopsitta concinna • Adult showing red forehead and green body

SMALL AUSTRALIAN LORIKEET • PLAYFUL & SWEET

Subspecies & Plumage

The Musk Lorikeet is currently considered monotypic (no recognised subspecies), although slight regional variations in colour intensity have been observed across its range in southeastern Australia.

Key Plumage Features

This small lorikeet has a bright green body with a distinctive red patch on the forehead and crown. The wings show blue highlights, and the tail is green. It has a small bare white facial patch, an orange-red beak, and dark eyes. The red forehead is the most noticeable feature and gives it a very cute and distinctive look.

Juveniles have less red on the forehead and duller overall plumage. This species is known for being very active, agile, and relatively quiet for a lorikeet. It also has a characteristic musk-like scent, especially noticeable in males during breeding season.

Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List) — CITES Appendix II
Glossopsitta Genus
Southeastern Australia
Small Musk Lorikeet