Stephen’s Lorikeet
Also known as:
Henderson Island Lorikeet, Henderson Lorikeet
Also known as:
Henderson Island Lorikeet, Henderson Lorikeet
DID YOU KNOW?
Stephen’s Lorikeet seems to have adapted, so far, to the presence of an introduced predator, the Pacific Rat (Rattus exulans), however, a larger rat species such as R. rattus or R. norvegicus or another alien predator may cause greater damage.
Size:
19 cm (8 in)
Weight:
42-55 g
Subspecies including nominate:
one
Colour Adult:
Both adults green upperparts, turning to yellow/green on rump and tail coverts; green crown and occiput, with elongated feathers streaked with paler green; red underparts; thighs and abdomen purple; green and purple band across chest that varies with individual; green underwing coverts marked with red; green/yellow tail. Beak deep orange. Eye yellow/orange.
Colour Juvenile:
Green underparts with purple and red marks on throat and abdomen; dark green tail. Beak brown. Eye brown.
Call:
Calls are soft and twittering while feeding. Louder notes while in flight.
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: Status Survey and Conservation Plan 2000-2004, Snyder, McGowan, Gilardi, Grajal, 2000.
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006. 2010 edition
Vanished and Vanishing Parrots, Forshaw, 2017.
Captive Status:
Not found in captivity.
Longevity:
—
Housing:
—
Diet:
—
Enrichment:
—
Nest Box Size:
—
Clutch Size:
Not recorded.
Fledging Age:
—
Hatch Weight:
—
Peak Weight:
—
Weaning Weight:
—
World Population:
Estimated at 500-1000 mature individuals, stable.
IUCN Red List Status:
Vulnerable
CITES Listing:
Appendix II
Threat Summary:
A BirdLife “restricted-range” species. This species is found only on one island, where the risk of harm from introduced species and diseases remains high.
Range:
Henderson Island, Pitcairn Group, S Pacific.
Habitat:
Found at about sea level on small raised-reef island in coconut palms along the beaches; also found throughout the low, dense forest that covers the interior.
Wild Diet:
Feeds on a variety of food types, including nectar and/or pollen from Scaevola sericea, Timonius polygamus, Cyclophyllum, Xylosma suaveolens, Thespesia populnea, Cordia subcordata, Psydrax, Senecio, Cocos nucifera and Pandanus tectorius, fruits of Eugenia rariflora, Nesoluma st-johnianum, Guettardia speciosa and Timonius polygamus, juice of Caesalpinia leaves, and butterfly or moth larvae from the spore case of Phymatosorus ferns.
Ecology and Behaviour:
Fairly conspicuous but more difficult to spot in dense foliage. Generally seen in small groups or families. Makes daily commutes from forest inland to coastal fringes to feed in coconut palms.
Clutch and Egg Size:
Not recorded.
Breeding Season:
April or May start.
Related Links:
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