Based on studies by Braun et al. (2017), this colorful species is now split from Rainbow Lorikeet. The Coconut Lorikeet acquires Rainbow's scientific name T. haematodus while Rainbow Lorikeet becomes T. moluccanus because of priority. The two differ in the color of the belly with Coconut having the belly green while Rainbow has the belly dark blue. Also Coconut usually has more dark barring on its chest.