Chattering Lory

• ExerciseVery high

  A high-energy flyer — serious daily flight time and enrichment are essential.

• GroomingRegular feather care

  Regular bathing or misting plus nail and beak checks.

• Living spaceStandard cage

  A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment25–30 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Respiratory issues · Obesity · Feather plucking

The Chattering Lory (Lorius garrulus) is endemic to the north Moluccas of Indonesia and is endangered in the wild, largely through trapping for the pet trade, so a legal bird is captive-bred with documentation. Its English name is accurate: this is a highly vocal species that talks, whistles and mutters more or less continuously, and among lories it is considered one of the better mimics of human speech. As with every lory, the nectar diet is the defining husbandry fact. Chattering Lories need a commercial nectar or lory powder base plus fresh fruit and vegetables, not a seed or standard pellet diet, and iron-storage disease is a documented risk in the group, so high-iron foods should be avoided and the diet planned with an avian vet. The liquid droppings that follow are projectile and require daily cleaning of the cage and the wall behind it. Anyone unwilling to do that every single day should choose a different species. Behaviourally they are affectionate, extremely playful and physically bold, wrestling with toys and hanging upside down for hours. They can be aggressive towards other birds, especially in breeding condition, so mixed housing needs care. They are loud, and the call is piercing enough that a shared-wall apartment is not realistic. Provide a large washable flight cage, daily bathing, constant toys, hours of interaction, and clean air free of non-stick fumes, and expect twenty-five to thirty years.

• How much activity does a Chattering Lory need?

  Very high. A high-energy flyer — serious daily flight time and enrichment are essential.

• How much feather care does a Chattering Lory need?

  Regular feather care. Regular bathing or misting plus nail and beak checks.

• What cage does a Chattering Lory need?

  Standard cage. A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Is a Chattering Lory a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Chattering Lory live?

  25–30 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Chattering Lory?

  Keep an eye out for Respiratory issues, Obesity, Feather plucking. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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