Duchess lorikeet

Last updated

Duchess lorikeet
CharmosynaMargarethaeSmit.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittaculidae
Tribe: Loriini
Genus: Charmosynoides
Joseph et al, 2020
Species:
C. margarethae
Binomial name
Charmosynoides margarethae
(Tristram, 1879)

The duchess lorikeet (Charmosynoides margarethae) is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Charmosynoides. It is found throughout the Solomon Islands archipelago. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss. [1]

Contents

Taxonomy

The duchess lorikeet was formally described in 1879 by the English clergyman and ornithologist Henry Baker Tristram from a specimen collected at Makira Harbour, San Cristoval, Solomon Islands. Tristam coined the binomial name Charmosyna margarethae. The specific epithet was chosen to honour Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia who became the Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn when she married Queen Victoria's son Prince Arthur in 1879. [2] The lorikeet was moved to its own genus, Charmosynoides, based on a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2020. [3] [4] [5] The name Charmosynoides is a combination of the genus name Charmosyna with the Ancient Greek -oides meaning "resembling". [4]

Description

The duchess lorikeet is 20 cm (8 in) in length, and weighs 40–60 g (1.4–2.1 oz). An adult is mainly bright red, with purple to black hindcrowns and yellow-orange eyes. It has an orange bill and a wide yellow chest band along with a thin yellow collar on the mantle bordered by a purple or black line. It has a dull mauve to black lower breast, with dull yellow underwings. Its tail are red, with green upper tail coverts and yellow tips. Females look the same as males, but additionally have yellow patches on the side of the rump.

Juvenile lorikeets have black markings on the head and underparts, along with a dusky black patch on the occiput. The breast band is a faint yellow and the yellow collar on the mantle has a dusky wash. They have a brown to black bill, with grey eyes. [6]

Distribution and habitat

Holotype of Charmosyna margarethae Tristram (NML-VZ T12204) held at World Museum, National Museums Liverpool. NML-VZ T12204 Charmosyna margarethae.jpg
Holotype of Charmosyna margarethae Tristram (NML-VZ T12204) held at World Museum, National Museums Liverpool.

The species is found only on Bougainville Island and 6 islands in the Solomon Islands. It is a localised species that is absent from large areas of habitat in its range that are potentially suitable for it. It is most often found in lower montane forest and in coconut plantations. It is found from sea level to an elevation of 1,350 m (4,430 ft) asl. It may be nomadic and inhabit habitats at different altitudes. [7]

Behavior and ecology

The calls of the duchess lorikeet are generally more squeaky than that of other species of lorikeets. Their flight calls are loud and high-pitched, while high-pitched screek notes are made while feeding. [8]

Food and feeding

The lorikeet mostly feed on nectar, pollen, and small fruits, especially Schefflera . [7]

Threats

Much of the lowland forest in its range is scheduled to be logged, although it could survive at higher altitudes. Another threat to the species is the possibility of large scale pet trade. [7]

In culture

It was featured on a stamp for the Solomon Islands made in 1975. [9]

Status

The species is widespread and relatively common through its range, but the population may decline rapidly in the future if large scale pet trade begins. The species is considered to be of Least Concern by BirdLife International and the IUCN. [7]

Aviculture

The species is traded in the pet trade, but there is an export quota of 60 birds per year to avoid population decline. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loriini</span> Tribe of birds

Loriini is a tribe of small to medium-sized arboreal parrots characterized by their specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar of various blossoms and soft fruits, preferably berries. The species form a monophyletic group within the parrot family Psittaculidae. The group consists of the lories and lorikeets. Traditionally, they were considered a separate subfamily (Loriinae) from the other subfamily (Psittacinae) based on the specialized characteristics, but recent molecular and morphological studies show that the group is positioned in the middle of various other groups. They are widely distributed throughout the Australasian region, including south-eastern Asia, Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Australia, and the majority have very brightly coloured plumage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loriinae</span> Subfamily of birds

Loriinae is a subfamily of psittacine birds, one of the six subfamilies that make up the family Psittaculidae. It consists of three tribes, the lories and lorikeets (Loriini), the budgerigar (Melopsittacini) and the fig parrots (Cyclopsittini), which are small birds, mostly of bright colors and inhabitants of Oceania and the islands of Southeast Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Caledonian lorikeet</span> Species of bird

The New Caledonian lorikeet is a potentially extinct lorikeet endemic to the Melanesian island of New Caledonia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-throated lorikeet</span> Species of bird

The red-throated lorikeet is a critically endangered lorikeet endemic to Fiji. It is 18 cm long and is bright green overall, with red cheeks, throat and thighs.

The blue-fronted lorikeet also known as the Buru lorikeet, is a parrot endemic to the Indonesian island of Buru.

<i>Vini</i> (bird) Genus of birds

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josephine's lorikeet</span> Species of bird

Josephine's lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is found in the highlands of New Guinea . Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

<i>Charmosyna</i> Genus of birds

Charmosyna is a genus of parrots in the family Psittaculidae. The three currently recognized species inhabit moist forests on the island of New Guinea.

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.

The striated lorikeet, lori strié, or lori estriado is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae native to New Guinea. It is the only species placed in the genus Synorhacma. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palm lorikeet</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-flanked lorikeet</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fairy lorikeet</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-chinned lorikeet</span> Species of bird

The red-chinned lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is native to New Britain, New Ireland, New Hannover and Karkar Island in Papua New Guinea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-fronted lorikeet</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pygmy lorikeet</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collared lory</span> Species of bird

The collared lory is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is endemic to the islands of Fiji. It is the only Fijian rainforest bird to adapt to urban landscapes and can be found in urban Suva. Measuring 20 cm (7.9 in), it has bright red underparts and face with a purple crown and greenish upperparts. Males and females are similar in plumage, although the latter have a paler crown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goldie's lorikeet</span> Species of bird

Goldie's lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Glossoptilus. It is found in forest and woodland in New Guinea, primarily at altitudes of 1000–2200 m. It is mostly green with yellowish streaks in the chest area, and a red, blue and purple head. It is a small bird measuring 19 cm in length and weighing 45–60 grams.

<i>Hypocharmosyna</i> Genus of birds

Hypocharmosyna is a genus of parrots in the family Psittaculidae that are endemic to New Guinea, the Maluku Islands and the Bismarck Archipelago.

<i>Charmosynopsis</i> Genus of birds

Charmosynopsis is a genus of parrots in the family Psittaculidae that are endemic to New Guinea, the southern Maluku Islands.

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2020). "Charmosyna margarethae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  2. Tristram, Henry Baker (1879). "On a collection of birds from the Solomon Islands and New Hebrides". Ibis. 4th series. 3: 437-444 [442, Plate 12].
  3. Smith, B.T.; Mauck, W.M.I.; Benz, B.W.; Andersen, M.J. (2020). "Uneven missing data skew phylogenomic relationships within the lories and lorikeets". Genome Biology and Evolution. 12 (7): 1131–1147. doi: 10.1093/gbe/evaa113 . PMC   7486955 .
  4. 1 2 Joseph, L.; Merwin, J.; Smith, B.T. (2020). "Improved systematics of lorikeets reflects their evolutionary history and frames conservation priorities". Emu - Austral Ornithology. 120 (3): 201–215. doi:10.1080/01584197.2020.1779596.
  5. Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (July 2021). "Parrots, cockatoos". IOC World Bird List Version 11.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  6. "Duchess Lorikeet (Charmosyna margarethae) | Parrot Encyclopedia".
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Duchess Lorikeet Charmosyna margarethae".
  8. "Duchess Lories | Beauty of Birds". www.beautyofbirds.com. Retrieved 2020-04-24.
  9. "$2 Dutchess Lorikeet single | National Postal Museum". postalmuseum.si.edu. Retrieved 2020-04-24.