Josephine’s Lorikeet

Josephine's Lorikeet
© Peter Odekerken

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Species Profile

Genus: Charmosyna | Species: josefinae

Size:

24cm (9.3 in)

Weight:

68g (2.4 oz)

Subspecies including nominate:

three: C.j. josefinae, C.j. cycloporum, C.j. sepikiana

Colour Adult:

C.j. josefinae: Male-in general red; black occiput to nape, with pale lilac/blue streaking towards front; rump has dusky blue patch; black lower flanks and lower abdomen; red underwing coverts; red central tail feathers tipped with yellow; lateral tail feathers red washed with green on outer webs and tipped with yellow. Bill orange. Eye yellow. Female-green/yellow lower back.
C.j. cycloporum: Both adults have black abdominal patch; blue streaking on occiput missing or faint.
C.j. sepikiana: Male-black abdominal patch more extensive; pale grey streaking on occiput. Female-as in male, but with yellow lower back and flanks.

Colour Juvenile:

C.j. josefinae: As in adult female but with green wash to black thighs and abdomen; green wash on occiput to nape; blue/green streaking on occiput; underwing band dull yellow. Bill brown. Eye brown.
C.j. sepikiana: In general duller than male; green wash on black thighs, abdomen and occiput to nape.

Call:

Calls given in flight are described as high-pitched; nasal note while perched reminescent of Papuan Lorikeet (Charmosyna papou).

Video Links:

More Information:

Avibase

Content Sources:

Josephine's Lorikeet
© Peter Odekerken

Photos

View in Gallery

Academic Research

Related publications: Charmosyna josefinae

Species Care

Captive Status:

Rare

Longevity:

25-35 yrs

Housing:

Aviary with well-drained (sloping concrete with outlet hole), tiled floor and surround.

Diet:

Nectar - a commercial type or homemade from: lactose-free baby cereal, honey and malt extract or molasses, mixed with filtered water and made fresh once or twice daily, with wheat germ added if desired; fruits once or twice daily such as: apple, pear, orange, cactus fruits, bananas and one or more of the following daily: carrot, fresh raw corn on the cob or tinned, unsalted sweet corn, green leave such as: Swiss chard, lettuce, kale, sowthistle, chickweed, dandelion; rearing food made from: hard boiled egg, wholegrain bread and carrot, all ground to crumbly consistency.

Enrichment:

Provide plenty of branches for climbing and stripping bark, willow, elder or saskatoon; also provide overhead misters and shallow water bowls for daily bathing. Keep no less than 22C (72 F) during acclimatisation.

Nest Box Size:

Vertical box 10cm x 10cm x 25cm (4 x 4 x 10 in).

Clutch Size:

2

Incubation Time:

25 days

Fledging Age:

8 weeks

Hatch Weight:

Not recorded.

Peak Weight:

Not recorded.

Weaning Weight:

Not recorded.

Specialist Club:

The Lory Link

Josephine's Lorikeet
© Peter Odekerken

Photos

View in Gallery

Academic Research

Related publications: Charmosyna josefinae

Species Wild Status

World Population:

Unknown, stable.

IUCN Red List Status:

Least Concern

CITES Listing:

Appendix II

Threat Summary:

May be sparse and local throughout most parts of range, although sightings may be few due to its shy behaviour. Forest habitat not threatened currently but likely to be affected in future. Trade probably not a threat although 697 were exported in 1986 and 459 in 1987, becoming much lower afterwards.

Range:

C.j. josefinae: Mountains of Vogelkop east to Snow Mountains, Irian Jaya.
C.j. cycloporum: Cyclops Mountains, Irian Jaya.
C.j. sepikiana: Mountains of W Papua New Guinea, in Sepik River region and in Western Highlands east to Jimi River valley and Mount Bosavi.

Habitat:

Found from 750-2200m (2460-7216 ft) in montane forest, forest edges and partly cleared areas.

Wild Diet:

Feeds on nectar, pollen and flower buds taken in canopy trees and mid-storey epiphytes; a climbing vine with large white flowers also noted.

Ecology and Behaviour:

May be nomadic. Usually seen in pairs or small groups. Is fairly difficult to spot in spite of its bright colouration. Feeds in the canopies of flowering trees, on flowering vines or mid-storey epiphytes.

Clutch and Egg Size:

2 eggs

Breeding Season:

A single record of a bird in breeding condition in February.

Josephine's Lorikeet
© Peter Odekerken

Photos

View in Gallery

Academic Research

Related publications: Charmosyna josefinae

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