Fairy lorikeet

Last updated

Fairy lorikeet
TrichoglossusPulchellusKeulemans.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittaculidae
Genus: Charmosynopsis
Species:
C. pulchella
Binomial name
Charmosynopsis pulchella
(Gray, GR, 1859)

The fairy lorikeet (Charmosynopsis pulchella) 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.

Contents

Taxonomy

The fairy lorikeet was formally described in 1859 by the English zoologist George Robert Gray under the binomial name Charmosyna pulchella. [2] It was moved from the original genus Charmosyna to the resurrected genus Charmosynopsis following the publication of a molecular phylogenetic study in 2020. [3] [4] [5]

Description

The fairy lorikeet grows to a length of about 18 cm (7 in) and weighs between 24 and 34 g (0.8 and 1.2 oz). The male of the nominate subspecies, C. p. pulchella, has the head, nape, breast and underparts red, the breast sometimes being streaked with yellow. The back of the crown has a purplish spot. The mantle, back and wings are dark green, as are the upper tail coverts. The upper side of the tail is green tipped with yellow and the central tail feathers are red towards their tips. The underside of the tail is yellow and the thighs are dark purple. The beak is orange and the eye yellowish-orange. The female is similar but the lower back is yellowish-green and the sides of the rump and flanks are yellow. [6]

The male C. p. rothschildi differs in that the breast is green streaked with yellow, while the dark spot on the crown is larger and extends forward to the eye and fades backwards into the green mantle. The upper tail coverts are washed with yellow and the belly is dark purple. The female has a wide green breast band streaked with yellow and a greenish-yellow patch on the side of the rump. [6]

Distribution

The fairy lorikeet is resident on the island of New Guinea. C. p. pulchella is present in mountainous regions from the Vogelkop Peninsula eastwards to the Huon Peninsula and the southeastern part of the island, as well as in the Fakfak Mountains in the Bomberai Peninsula. C. p. rothschildi is found in north and central New Guinea in the Cyclops Mountains and other nearby mountain ranges. [7]

Behaviour

The fairy lorikeet is assumed to feed on pollen and nectar foraged from flowers high in the forest canopy and is often associated with Melicope trees. [7] Breeding has been observed in December, January and April. A nesting site is often a hole at the base of an epiphytic plant where a clutch of one or two eggs is incubated for about twenty five days. [7]

Status

The fairy lorikeet has a wide range and is common in many places, though less so in other areas where it is collected for the pet trade. The population appears stable and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern". [1]

Related Research Articles

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

Loriinae is a subfamily of psittacine birds, one of the five 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">Jurong Bird Park</span> Zoo in Singapore

Jurong Bird Park is an aviary and tourist attraction in Jurong, Singapore. The largest such bird park in Asia, it covers an area of 0.2 square kilometres on the western slope of Jurong Hill, the highest point in the Jurong region. It is one of the parks managed by Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which are also the managers of Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Wonders.

<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">Black-capped lory</span> Species of bird

The black-capped lory also known as western black-capped lory or the tricolored lory, is a parrot found in New Guinea and adjacent smaller islands. It is a colourful and relatively robust lory. There are seven subspecies, all with green wings, red heads and body around the wing, a black cap, grey-black cere, yellow underwings, and blue legs and belly. Most also have a blue nape and mantle. It remains overall widespread and common, but the subspecies cyanuchen is relatively rare, with fewer than 5,000 individuals remaining.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-backed parrot</span> Species of bird

The blue-backed parrot, also known as Müller's parrot is a large, endangered species of parrot endemic to the Philippines. It is found in tropical moist lowland forests. Flocks are small and often active at night. Its main threats are habitat loss and trapping for the pet trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olivaceous siskin</span> Species of bird

The olivaceous siskin is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is found in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru, where its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and heavily degraded former forest.

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

The purple-crowned lorikeet, is a lorikeet found in scrub and mallee of southern Australia. It is a small lorikeet distinguished by a purple crown, an orange forehead and ear-coverts, and a light blue chin and chest.

<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.

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

The duchess lorikeet 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.

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">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">Orange-billed lorikeet</span> Species of bird

The orange-billed lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is found in New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

<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 (2012). "Charmosyna pulchella". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  2. Gray, George Robert (1859). List of the specimens of birds in the collection of the British Museum. Vol. Part III, Section II Psittacidae. London: British Museum. p. 102.
  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 .
  4. 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 22 July 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Fairy lorikeet". World Parrot Trust. Retrieved 2014-09-23.
  7. 1 2 3 Collar, N. "Fairy Lorikeet (Charmosyna pulchella)". Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions. Retrieved 2014-09-24.