This is an article based on my experiences keeping and breeding the Red Collared Lorikeet here at Donpaulna Aviaries.

Red Collared Lorikeets are found only in the northern parts of Australia, given them a much lesser habitat range then their cousins, the Rainbow Lorikeet. Although they are classed as a sub species to the Rainbow, I for one am not fully convinced as such. There are also two species known in the Red collars, the normal race, and the Kimberly race, found only in the Kimberly region in Northern Western Australia.
Red Collared Lorikeets are very easily kept, as are rainbows, but mature a lot later, so therefore take longer to start to breed then Rainbows. Once they establish themselves and are content with their environment, feeding source, and each other, they will and do breed quite well in captivity. They, like most lorikeets, lay only two eggs with incubation taking around twenty-one to twenty-three days, although I have had both Red Collars and Rainbows take a little longer at times. It is very wise to let them incubate for up to twenty-five days, just in case. Both male and female occupy the nesting site while incubation occurs, but only the female sits on the eggs. After hatching both parents feed the young, with fledging taking up to twelve to thirteen weeks and the young should stay with the parents for a further 4 to 6 weeks to make sure they are feeding on their own.
All Lorikeets are of course nectar and fruit eaters, so seed should not be fed to them. When given a good lory dry mix along with fruit and vegetables, such as apples, pears, corn and a little orange, they will successfully live and breed in captivity for many years. Wet mix is also recommended, but is only given here at Donpaulna Aviaries 2 or 3 times a week.
I keep my Red Collared Lorikeets in suspended aviaries, I believe this to be the most easiest and economical way to keep any lorry or lorikeet. I have two sizes I use, these are 2.4m long x 0.9m high x 0.6m wide, and 2m long x 0.9m high x 0.6m wide, these are the minimum size I would recommend to use. I do not condemn the use of full aviaries (conventional type), for lorikeets, but would encourage people to use suspended ones. My suspended aviaries are designed with a walkway so that all feeding, cleaning, checking of nest boxes, and catching out of birds are done within the walkway. They also have both automatic watering and sprinkler systems set up in them to make things so much easier. (You will be surprised how easy it is to construct a watering system using 13mm black poly pipe and accessories).
Currently I have 8pairs of Red Collared Lorikeets, 2 lots of 4pairs side by side in opposite sites of the complex, with a bank in the middle housing Rainbow Lorikeets, to separate them. Red collared Lorikeets can become very aggressive towards each other when other lorikeets are placed in cages next to them, so it would be good advice to keep an eye on them.

CONCLUSION: I believe that the Red collared Lorikeet is a most beautiful bird, and because of it 's beauty they do make great aviary birds to keep in any collection. They are inexpensive to buy and in this state (N.S.W) are exempt from a license scheme, so they can be purchased from either pet shops or aviculturists with out any problems. Breeding pairs make good parents and will breed quite well in captivity, their young can be sold off easily, both as pet birds and as birds to become breeders themselves. There are a few mutations available, but not as many as the Rainbow Lorikeet.
Yours in aviculture: Paul Stevens.