Palm Lorikeet
Also known as:
Green Palm Lorikeet, Vanuatu Lorikeet
Also known as:
Green Palm Lorikeet, Vanuatu Lorikeet
Size:
17 cm (6.6 in)
Weight:
35 g (1.2 oz)
Subspecies including nominate:
one
Colour Adult:
Both adults red on chin, lores, and base of bill (less in female); mantle washed with olive/brown, often missing in female; underwing band absent; green tail with wide yellow tip; orange beak; yellow eye.
Colour Juvenile:
As in female but with orange/brown beak and brown/yellow eye.
Call:
Calls are short and high-pitched; more rapid when given in flight. Shrill twittering heard when bird is feeding and softer notes given while at rest.
More Information:
Content Sources:
CITES
BirdLife International
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Birds of the World
A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006. 2010 edition
Lexicon of Parrots, Thomas Arndt.
Captive Status:
Not found in aviculture.
Longevity:
—
Housing:
Enclosure, easily cleaned, 2.5 x 1 x 2 m (8 x 3 x 6 ft). Minimum temperature 20 C (68 F), not less than 24 C (75 F) during acclimatisation.
Diet:
Lory nectar of thin porridge, honey, pollen, brewer’s yeast, vitamins and mineral supplements or commercial nectar; different fruits such as pear, peach, passion fruit and apple; greenfood such as kale and dandelion; different wild edible berries (rowan, pyracanthas and rose hips).
Enrichment:
—
Nest Box Size:
Box 20 x 20 x 40 cm (10 x 10 x 20 in).
Clutch Size:
Probably 2.
Fledging Age:
—
Hatch Weight:
—
Peak Weight:
—
Weaning Weight:
—
World Population:
1500-4000 individuals, decreasing.
IUCN Red List Status:
Least Concern
CITES Listing:
Appendix II
Threat Summary:
A BirdLife “restricted-range” species. Threats include avian malaria, cyclones and natural cycles. Lowland forest, which may or may not be used by this species, is being cleared for agriculture, timber and commercial logging.
Range:
Santa Cruz, Duff and possibly Reef Islands, easternmost Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, including Banks Islands.
Habitat:
Found above 1000 m (3280 ft) in undisturbed montane forest, irregularly in lowlands.
Wild Diet:
Feeds on nectar and pollen of various trees, palms, lianas and shrubs, notably from flowers of sago palms (Metroxylon rumphii) and Erythrina; also takes Ficus figs and berries.
Ecology and Behaviour:
Nomadic, traveling widely between feeding sites in pairs and medium-sized flocks. Appears in lowlands sporadically. Pair bonds strong in large flocks.
Clutch and Egg Size:
Possibly 2 eggs.
Breeding Season:
Beginning in October, young in December. Nest is in hollow tree limb or trunk.
Related Links:
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