Papuan Lorikeet (Charmosyna papou)

Wild male Papuan Lorikeet
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Species Profile

Genus: Charmosyna | Species: papou

Size:

25cm (9.75 in)

Weight:

90-115g (3.1-4 oz)

Subspecies including nominate:

one

Colour Adult:

Both adults in general red; dark green mantle and wings; pale blue streaked in front of black patch on rump; thin black band across hindneck; blue patch on rump and upper tail coverts; lower flanks and sides of breast have yellow patches; black thighs and abdominal band with purple shine; red underwing coverts; green tail tipped with yellow. Bill orange/red. Eye yellow/orange.

Colour Juvenile:

In general duller than adults; with black margins on feathers of neck and breast; duller blue patch on rump less extensive; yellow underwing band in varying proportions; central tail feathers considerably shorter. Bill brown/orange tipper with black. Eye dark brown.

Call:

Are described as distinctive; in flight are loud and slurred in upward inflection; also quieter, mellower screech. When feeding or at rest emits a nasal, long note increasing in volume.

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
ML Media Collection Catalogue 65897, Papuan Lorikeet Charmosyna papou, Connop, Scott, Papua New Guinea, Oct. 6 1993, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Site
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006. 2010 edition
Lexicon of Parrots, Thomas Arndt.
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.

Wild male Papuan Lorikeet
© Patty McGann [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

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Academic Research

Related publications: Charmosyna papou

Species Care

Captive Status:

Uncommon

Longevity:

15+ yrs

Housing:

Aviary with concrete, sloping floor towards drain, or suspended enclosure over concrete base.

Diet:

Nectar, either a commercial type or homemade from baby cereal (lactose-free), honey and malt extract or molasses, mixed with filtered water and made fresh daily; fruit (once or twice daily) such as: apple, pear, banana, orange, cactus fruits; vegetables such as: carrot, fresh corn on the cob or unsalted tinned sweet corn, green leaves such as Swiss chard, lettuce or dandelion; rearing food made from hard-boiled egg, wholegrain bread and carrot, all ground to a crumbly consistency.

Enrichment:

Avid bathers, provide water bowls or spray misters once a day; socialization; large enclosure for daily flights. Also provide swings, ladders and other toys, all easy to clean, to appeal to the acrobatic nature of this species.

Nest Box Size:

Vertical box 6" x 6" x 12" (15.2cm x 15.2cm x 30.5cm).

Clutch Size:

2

Incubation Time:

26 days or more

Fledging Age:

60 days

Hatch Weight:

4g (0.14 oz)

Peak Weight:

Not recorded.

Weaning Weight:

Not recorded.

Specialist Club:

The Lory Link

Wild male Papuan Lorikeet
© Patty McGann [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

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Academic Research

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Species Wild Status

World Population:

Unknown, stable.

IUCN Red List Status:

Least Concern

CITES Listing:

Appendix II

Threat Summary:

Hunting for feathers which are sought after for tribal head-dresses and capture for the wild bird trade are not thought, at this time, to be factors affecting population size.

Range:

Vogelkop Mountains, W Irian Jaya.

Habitat:

Found up to 3500m (11,480 ft) in Nothofagus-Podocarpus forest.

Wild Diet:

Feeds on nectar, pollen, flowers, flower buds, fruits of Schefflera and small seeds.

Ecology and Behaviour:

Usually seen in pairs or groups. Very active and agile. Moves through trees with jerky movements flicking their long tails.

Clutch and Egg Size:

2 eggs, 24.5 x 22.5mm (0.9 x 0.8 in)

Breeding Season:

Possibly August, with young birds seen in October and November.

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