Originating in Australia the Rainbow Lory has a fairly large range in the wild seen commonly in western New Guinea, Goram Islands, Geelvink Bay, Buru, Ceramlaut, Ceram, Watubela and Amboina. There is a lot of confusion around the generic term of "rainbow", in some areas such as the United States. In the US, the term 'rainbow' most commonly refers to a Green Nape Lory since that was the first Lory to become established in the pet trade and often that is the first and/or only Lory that many people come in contact with. Many people may be relatively unaware that lories come in 'different colors'. In other areas, such as Australia the term 'rainbow' may be used in relation to the Blue Mountain Lorikeet, and only to the Blue Mountain only. More than any of group of parrots, this genus is really disserved by using 'common names' and terms. There is still a wide range of temperaments, body language, sizes and tolerances between all of the different Lories called, the "Rainbow Lory". It is very important to make sure what species you are interested in when referring to the Rainbow Lory. Many people end up with the wrong Lory, especially when doing mail order purchases, because of the confusion surrounding the common names.
Originating in Australia the Rainbow Lory has a fairly large range in the wild seen commonly in western New Guinea, Goram Islands, Geelvink Bay, Buru, Ceramlaut, Ceram, Watubela and Amboina. There is a lot of confusion around the generic term of "rainbow", in some areas such as the United States. In the US, the term 'rainbow' most commonly refers to a Green Nape Lory since that was the first Lory to become established in the pet trade and often that is the first and/or only Lory that many people come in contact with. Many people may be relatively unaware that lories come in 'different colors'. In other areas, such as Australia the term 'rainbow' may be used in relation to the Blue Mountain Lorikeet, and only to the Blue Mountain only. More than any of group of parrots, this genus is really disserved by using 'common names' and terms. There is still a wide range of temperaments, body language, sizes and tolerances between all of the different Lories called, the "Rainbow Lory". It is very important to make sure what species you are interested in when referring to the Rainbow Lory. Many people end up with the wrong Lory, especially when doing mail order purchases, because of the confusion surrounding the common names.