Member Login

Username

Password

Auto-login for future visits

Join or Renew Today!

Membership Benefits:

Close Button

Black Lory

 (Chalcopsitta atra)

Also known as: Red-quilled Lory, Rajah/Raja Lory

Click photo to visit gallery

Black Lory
© elvranharris [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Did You Know?

The Black Lory is the only all-black lory or lorikeet.

Academic Research

Related publications: Chalcopsitta atra

Species Profile

Genus: Chalcopsitta | Species: atra

Size:

32 cm (12.5 in)

Weight:

230-260g (8-9.1 oz)

Subspecies including nominate:

C. a. atra, C. a. insignis, C. a. bernsteini, and a single specimen of C. a. spectabilis (C. atra x C. scintillata hybrid)

Colour Adult:

C. a. atra: Both adults in general black; rump violet/blue; undertail olive/yellow washed with red, bare black eye-ring, black skin at base of bill.  Eye orange/red.       
C. a. bernsteini: Red/purple markings on forehead and thighs, less evident in females; darker blue rump.               
C. a. insignis: Head streaked grey/blue; forehead, face, thighs and underwing covers red; feathers of throat and lower underparts edged red; dull blue rump, undertail covers grey/blue.

Colour Juvenile:

C.a. atra: As in adult but with white cere and eye-ring. Eye grey.                 
C. a. bernsteini: As in adults.   
C. a. insignis: Lores tinged red, forehead and face black, red less bright on thighs.

Call:

High screech or chitter.

Listen Now

Video Links:

Video 1

More Information:

Avibase

Content Sources:

CITES
BirdLife International
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Birds of the World
Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
xeno-canto Black Lory, van Balen, Bas, XC141049
Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1977, 1989. 2010 edition
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.
Parrots: Their Care and Breeding, Low, 1986.

Click photo to visit gallery

Black Lory
© elvranharris [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Did You Know?

The Black Lory is the only all-black lory or lorikeet.

Academic Research

Related publications: Chalcopsitta atra

Species Care

Captive Status:

A few in captivity (C.a. insignis).

Longevity:

Not recorded.

Housing:

Aviary with well drained floor (sloping) or suspended cage over concrete base.

Diet:

Nectar made from baby cereal (no lactose) honey and malt extract or molasses, mixed with filtered water with the addition of wheat germ, made fresh once or twice daily, or a proprietary type (store bought) for small species; as well fresh fruit especially apple, orange, cactus fruits, and bananas and a few vegetables: corn, green leaves, hardcooked egg, carrot.

Enrichment:

Hanging nectar bottles or cups around aviary, providing browse with edible flowers, various chew and plastic toys (non-toxic); provide bowls of water for bathing.

Nest Box Size:

L-shaped, up to 9" (22.9cm) high, 9" (22.9cm) wide, 18" (46cm) long and 18" (46cm) deep; entrance hole 3" (7.6cm); also provide boxes for them to sleep in year round.

Clutch Size:

2

Incubation Time:

25 days

Fledging Age:

74 days

Hatch Weight:

Not recorded.

Peak Weight:

Not recorded.

Weaning Weight:

Not recorded.

Specialist Club:

Lory Link
 

Click photo to visit gallery

Black Lory
© elvranharris [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Did You Know?

The Black Lory is the only all-black lory or lorikeet.

Academic Research

Related publications: Chalcopsitta atra

Species Wild Status

World Population:

Unknown, stable.

IUCN Red List Status:

Least Concern

CITES Listing:

Appendix II

Threat Summary:

A BirdLife 'restricted-range' species. Can be seen in large flocks but numbers are unknown. International trade was moderately high, with 2808 exported between 1987 and 1990. Export from Indonesia was banned in September 1991.

Range:

C.a. atra: Western Vogelkop, Irian Jaya, Indonesia; and adjacent islands Batanta, Misool and Salawati, W Papuan Islands, Indonesia.
C.a. bernsteini: Misool, W Papuan Islands.
C.a. insignis: E Vogelkop, nearby Rumberpon Island, and Onin and Bomberai Peninsulas, Irian Jaya.

Habitat:

Open habitats, coastal coconut plantations, forest margins and mangrove; up to 200m (656 ft).

Wild Diet:

Flowering Schefflera shrubs, coconut.

Ecology and Behaviour:

Frequents open habitats such as coastal coconut plantations, savanna, forest margins, and Eucalyptus groves; sometimes found in large flocks foraging in flowering trees.

Clutch and Egg Size:

2 rounded eggs, 30 mm (1.17 in).

Breeding Season:

Males in condition April and December.

Related Links:

Wikipedia
 

Click photo to visit gallery

Black Lory
© elvranharris [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Did You Know?

The Black Lory is the only all-black lory or lorikeet.

Academic Research

Related publications: Chalcopsitta atra

Members Only Resources

Please log-in now to find more research, resources and tools.

Not a Member?

Find more great information:

Gain exclusive access to 600+ pages of additional research, seminars and podcasts, specialists to ask your toughest questions, and dozens of other fun resources - when you become a WPT member.

Already a Member?

Encyclopedia

Search by:
Common Name


Geographic Location


Type of Parrot


Taxonomic Name


Sign Up to Stay Informed




Become A WPT Member Check out the Latest Podcasts