| Blue-fronted lorikeet | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Family: | Psittaculidae |
| Genus: | Charmosynopsis |
| Species: | C. toxopei |
| Binomial name | |
| Charmosynopsis toxopei (Siebers, 1930) | |
| Synonyms | |
Charmosyna toxopei | |
The blue-fronted lorikeet (Charmosynopsis toxopei) also known as the Buru lorikeet, is a parrot endemic to the Indonesian island of Buru.
This species was formerly placed in the genus Charmosyna . It was moved to the resurrected genus Charmosynopsis based on a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2020. [2] [3] [4]
The first foreign scientist who described the blue-fronted lorikeet and the only one who managed to capture it (seven individuals in the 1920s, using lime) was the Java-born Dutch lepidopterist Lambertus Johannes Toxopeus, which is reflected in the Latin name of the bird. His observations were summarized by the Dutch ornithologist Hendrik Cornelis Siebers (1890–1949) in 1930.
Toxopeus noted that the bird's habitat on Buru is likely restricted to the western part of the Rana plateau in the center of the island (settlements of Wa Temun, Wa Fehat and Nal Besi), as the local name of the bird, utu papua, was not known anywhere else on the island. Two indigenous hunters caught blue-fronted lorikeets for food north-west from the Rana lake, but the bird was not found in the mangroves of the Kayeli Bay at the eastern part of Buru. [5] The locals living at the Rana plateau reported that the bird feeds on nectar and pollen of the flowering trees. Toxopeus found the bird at elevations of 840–1,000 m (2,760–3,280 ft). Four blue-fronted lorikeets were observed in the 1980s, in very different areas at the north-western (Bara settlement) and southern coasts of Buru, at a coconut plantation and in a disturbed lowland forest between the coastal farming fields and the base of the nearby hills. Flocks of several birds were found in another area at elevation of 600 meters (2,000 ft). In November 2014, it was rediscovered and the first photographs were published by birders from BirdQuest in the internet. The analysis of all observations suggested that the blue-fronted lorikeet preferably inhabits forests at the altitude of several hundred meters. [1] [6]
The blue-fronted lorikeets usually live in pairs, but may form groups up to 10 individuals. They grow to about 16 cm (6.3 in). [7] The voice was described by Toxopeus as a ti–ti–ti–ti–tititi shrill, but might be related not to the blue-fronted lorikeet, but to the red-flanked lorikeet (Charmosyna placentis) which was later observed in the same area. In nature the blue-fronted lorikeets feed on flowering trees of the family Myrtaceae, and in captivity they consumed bananas and milk. [6]
The anecdotal character of their observation and very limited habitat, which is gradually shrinking due to logging, urged the International Union for Conservation of Nature to gradually elevate its status from threatened in 1988 to vulnerable in 1994 and critically endangered since 2000. [1] The establishment of two protected areas on Buru, Gunung Kapalat Mada (1,380 km2 (530 sq mi)) and Waeapo (50 km2 (19 sq mi)), partly aim at preserving the habitat of the blue-fronted lorikeet. [8]
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The New Caledonian lorikeet is a potentially extinct lorikeet endemic to the Melanesian island of New Caledonia.
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Vini is a genus of birds in the family Psittaculidae that are endemic to the islands of the tropical Pacific. There are eleven extant species of these small lorikeets ranging from the Bismark Archipelago through Fiji, Samoa, French Polynesia, and as far east as Henderson Island. All members of the genus have exceptional bright plumage, particularly the unusual all over blues of the blue lorikeet and the ultramarine lorikeet.
Charmosyna is a genus of parrots in the family Psittaculidae. The three currently recognized species inhabit moist forests on the island of New Guinea.
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Meek's lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is found on Bougainville Island in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.
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The palm lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is found in the Santa Cruz Islands and Vanuatu. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The red-flanked lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is found in Mollucas, New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. Only the adult males have the red plumage on the head and sides.
The fairy lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. Other common names include the little red lorikeet and the little red lory. Found in New Guinea, its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. Its colouration is mainly red with some yellow on the throat and green on the wings. Two subspecies are recognised, C. p. pulchella and C. p. rothschildi.
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The red-fronted lorikeet, also known as the red-spotted lorikeet or red-rumped lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is found in northern New Guinea and the island of Biak. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
The pygmy lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Charminetta. It is found in the highlands of New Guinea; its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The world population of pygmy lorikeets is thought to be less than 50,000 individuals, but stable. They live at altitudes of 1000–2200m.
The Mindanao lorikeet or Mount Apo lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. There are two very similar subspecies, which are both endemic to Mindanao, Philippines.
Stella's lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is endemic to New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Hypocharmosyna is a genus of parrots in the family Psittaculidae that are endemic to New Guinea, the Maluku Islands and the Bismarck Archipelago.
Charmosynopsis is a genus of parrots in the family Psittaculidae that are endemic to New Guinea, the southern Maluku Islands.
Hendrik Cornelis Siebers was a Dutch ornithologist who worked mainly in the Dutch East Indies, now part of Indonesia.
