
%0 Journal Article
%A Frankel, T. L. 
%A Avram, D. 
%T Protein requirements of rainbow lorikeets, <emph type="2">Trichoglossus haematodus</emph>
%J Australian Journal of Zoology
%D 2001/09/26
%V 49
%N 4
%P 425-443
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO01005
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/ZO01005 
%X The natural diet of rainbow lorikeets is low in protein but in captivity their diets contain relatively high concentrations of protein. A nitrogen (N) balance study was carried out to determine the protein requirements of lorikeets for maintenance. Five lorikeets were fed each of three diets, containing 3, 7 or 11 g egg white protein (100 g powdered diet)&#8211;1 (&#8216;as is&#8217; basis). After 10 days on a diet, lorikeets were placed in metabolism cages and N intakes and N excretion determined over three days. From the regression of N excretion on N intake (y = 0.8664x+ 0.032) endogenous nitrogen loss (ENL) was calculated as 32 mg N (kg body mass)&#8211;0.75 day&#8211;1 and the maintenance N requirement as 240 mg N kg&#8211;0.75 day&#8211;1. The ENL is lower than that of other nectarivores but maintenance requirement is greater, indicating an unusually low digestibility for egg white protein (13.3%). Using a conservatively low digestibility of 4.5% for pollen, it can be calculated that 5&#8211;6 g pollen (dry matter) per day would provide the 8 mg N day&#8211;1 required by a 150-g lorikeet to replace ENL. By eating 150&#8211;200 mL nectar, about 30% of requirement could be obtained. 
