2. Lories and lorikeets (tribe Loriini)
Are small to medium-sized arboreal parrots characterized by their
specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar of various blossoms
and soft fruits, preferably berries.
The species form a monophyletic group within the parrot
family Psittacidae. Traditionally, they were considered a separate
subfamily (Loriinae) from the other subfamily (Psittacinae) based on the
specialized characteristics, but recent molecular and morphological studies
show that the group is positioned in the middle of various other groups.
They are widely distributed throughout the Australasian region, including
south-eastern Asia, Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor
Leste and Australia, and the majority have very brightly coloured
plumage.
3. Etymology
The usage of the terms "lory" and "lorikeet" is subjective,
like the usage of "parrot" and "parakeet". Species with
longer tapering tails are generally referred to as
"lorikeets", while species with short blunt tails are
generally referred to as "lories".
4. Taxonomy
Traditionally, lories and lorikeets have either been classified as the
subfamily, Loriinae, or as a family on their own, Loriidae, but they
are currently classified as a tribe. Neither traditional view is
confirmed by molecular studies. Those studies show that the lories
and lorikeets form a single group, closely related to
the budgerigar and the fig parrots (Cyclopsitta and Psittaculirostris).
Two main groups are recognized within the lories and lorikeets. The
first consist of the genus Charmosyna and the closely related Pacific
Ocean genera Phigys and Vini. All remaining genera,
except Oreopsittacus are in the second group. The position
of Oreopsittacus is unknown, although one study suggests it could be a
third group next to the other two.
5. Species
Classification of parrots in the
subfamily, Loriinae:
1. Genus Chalcopsitta
-Black lory, Chalcopsitta atra
-Brown lory,
Chalcopsitta duivenbodei (also
called Duyvenbode's lory)
-Yellowish-streaked
lory, Chalcopsitta sintillata
- Cardinal lory, Chalcopsitta
cardinalis
2. Genus Eos
Black-winged lory, Eos
cyanogenia
Violet-necked lory, Eos
squamata
Blue-streaked lory, Eos
reticulata
Red-and-blue lory, Eos histrio
Red lory, Eos bornea
Blue-eared lory, Eos semilarvata
11. Morphology
Tongue of a lory
Lories and lorikeets have specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding
on nectar and soft fruits. They can feed from the flowers of about 5,000
species of plants and use their specialized tongues to take the nectar.
The tip of their tongues have tufts of papillae (extremely fine hairs),
which collect nectar and pollen.
The multi-coloured rainbow lorikeet was one of the species of parrots
appearing in the first edition of The Parrots of the World and also
in John Gould's lithographs of the Birds of Australia. Then and now,
lories and lorikeets are described as some of the most beautiful species
of parrot.
12. Diet
In the wild, lorikeets feed on nectar and pollen from plants and flowers.
Occasionally they have been observed feeding on meat.
Conservation
Rainbow lorikeet drinking
The ultramarine lorikeet is endangered. It is now one of the 50
rarest birds in the world. The blue lorikeet is classified as vulnerable.
The introduction of European rats to the small island habitats of these
birds is a major cause of their endangerment. Various conservation
efforts have been made to relocate some of these birds to locations free
of predation and habitat destruction.
13. The rainbow
lorikeet (Trichoglossus
moluccanus) is a species
of parrot found in Australia. It is
common along the eastern
seaboard, from
northern Queensland to South
Australia and Tasmania. Its
habitat is rainforest, coastal bush
and woodland areas.
Several taxa traditionally listed
as subspecies of the rainbow
lorikeet are now treated as
separate species .
14. Lories and lorikeets are small to
medium-sized arboreal parrots
characterized by their
specialized brush-tipped
tongues for feeding on nectar of
various blossoms and soft
fruits, preferably berries.
Scientific name: Loriini
Higher classification: Loriinae
Rank: Tribe
15. The Goldie's lorikeet is a species of
parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is
found in forest and woodland in New
Guinea, primarily at altitudes of
1000-2200 m.a.s.l.
Scientific name: Psitteuteles goldiei
Phylum: Chordata
Higher classification: Psitteuteles
Order: Parrot
Rank: Species
16. The iris lorikeet is a small, up to
20 cm long, green lorikeet. The
male has a red forehead, yellow
nape, purple band back from eye
between nape and cheek, and
yellowish below.
Scientific name: Psitteuteles iris
Phylum: Chordata
Higher
classification: Psitteuteles
Order: Parrot
Rank: Species
17. The blue-crowned lorikeet is a
parrot found throughout the
Samoa and Tonga islands and
Lau archipelago, including:
ʻAlofi, Fotuhaʻa, Fulago,
Futuna, Haʻafeva, Niuafoʻou,
Moce, Niuē, Ofu, Olosega, ...
Scientific name: Vini australis
Higher classification: Vini
Rank: Species
18. Difference Between Parakeets and Lorikeets
Parakeets and lorikeets are both birds characterized with small to medium-
sized bodies. Both birds have almost the same scientific classification: kingdom
Animalia, phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, family
Psittaciformes and family Pssittacidae. The lorikeets, in particular, have an
additional classification. It belongs to the subfamily Loriinae. The subfamily
has an approximately 50 species accredited to its name.
There are few discerning differences between the two birds. Despite being
small, a lorikeet is still a little bigger compared to the parakeet. They also have
a unique tongue called a brush tongue which helps them in eating their diet of
nectar, pollen, and soft, tropical fruits like papaya, apple, pear, melons,
mangoes, and others. The brush-tipped tongues are a specialized feature of
this specie. It has papillae, a collection of extremely fine hairs on the surface of
the tongue. Their tongue allows the lories to harvest the pollen and nectar
directly from the flowers into their bodies.
19. They are also identified by their bright and colorful plumage and are also
characterized with their clownish behavior, high energy, and tendency to mimic others
who are near their vicinity. Lorikeets are originally Pacific parrots and are usually
found in the nearby countries of Australia, the Australasian region, southeastern Asia,
Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, and others. It is the smaller of the two birds in the
same subfamily. The larger kinds are called lories.
On the other side of the cage, the parakeet is an American term that describes a
specific, small bird species with a small body with a long tail. The parakeet serves as
a broad term or a blanket name for birds that cover an approximate number of 120
species and sub-species. Nevertheless, some parakeets are easily distinguishable
due to their diet of seeds which are usually bought from the pet shop or market store.
20. The dangers of feeding lorikeets
Many people have taken to encouraging lorikeets into their gardens by giving them a
variety of alluring foods. These foods are usually based on sugar, honey or jam, which
will ensure regular visits to the garden by these wonderfully happy, colorful birds.
However, it is this very act of 'kindness' that can cause the death of lorikeets at an
unnaturally early age.
OEH officers became concerned at outbreaks of lorikeets dying in large numbers for
no apparent reason, and decided to investigate. Autopsies were carried out by NSW
Agriculture. With other investigations, these autopsies established that the lorikeets
were dying from a disease called necrotizing enteritis. A bacteria called clostridia was
isolated as the organism responsible
21. Necrotizing enteritis is associated with poor hygiene and an inadequate diet,
and it was found that the disease is not normally associated with lorikeets
living a natural way of life. The scientists could directly relate the lorikeets'
deaths to inadequate artificial diets, and to the unsanitary conditions of trays
and other containers from which they were being fed.
Another disease is also having a serious impact on lorikeets. Called
psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) or psittacine circovirus disease,
it is considered the most important viral disease affecting cockatoos, parrots,
lories, lorikeets and macaws around the world.
Affecting the immune system of the birds, it often results in an AIDS-like
condition. The keratin in the birds' bodies breaks down, causing deformed
beaks and feathers, and feather loss. The disease is usually fatal, but
infected birds may not display symptoms for many months or even years.
22. Infected birds can drop faeces, which contain the potentially infectious
circovirus particles, into the environment to infect other birds. Unfortunately,
there is a great potential for the virus to spread at places like feed stations.
Clustering in large numbers, many birds may come into contact with
contaminated perches and food dishes.
Preventing lorikeet deaths
Obviously the best solution to these problems is to stop
feeding the birds altogether. The only feeding method
recommended by OEH is to plant a variety of flowering native
shrubs, such as grevilleas, callistemon (bottlebrushes) and
banksias, around your garden. These plants not only look
good; they also provide safe, healthy food for blossom-
feeding birds such as lorikeets and honeyeaters.
23. Rainbow lorikeet
– The rainbow lorikeet is a species of parrot found in Australia. It is common
along the eastern seaboard, to South Australia and Tasmania. Its habitat is
rainforest, woodland areas. Several taxa traditionally listed as subspecies of
the lorikeet are now treated as separate species. Rainbow lorikeets have
been introduced to Western Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; and Hong
Kong. Rainbow lorikeets are true parrots, within the Psittacoidea superfamily
in the order Psittaciformes. Today most major authorities consider it separate.
This is increasingly followed by major authorities. Images of The rainbow
lorikeet is a medium-sized parrot, with the length ranging from 25 to 30 cm,
including the tail. The weight varies from 75 to 157 g. The plumage of the
nominate race, as with all subspecies, is very bright. The rest of the upper
parts are deep green. The chest is red with blue-black barring. The thighs
and rump are yellow with deep green barring. In flight a yellow wing-bar
contrasts clearly with the red underwing coverts.
24. Loriini – The species form a monophyletic group within the parrot Psittacidae.
The usage of the terms "lory" and "lorikeet" is subjective, like the usage of "parrot"
and "parakeet". Species with longer tapering tails are generally referred to as
"lorikeets", while species with blunt tails are generally referred to as "lories".
Neither traditional view is confirmed by molecular studies.
Those studies show that the lorikeets form a single group, closely related to the
budgerigar and the fig parrots. Two main groups are recognized within the
lorikeets. The first consist of the closely related Pacific Ocean genera Phigys and
Vini. All remaining genera, except Oreopsittacus are in the second group. The
position of Oreopsittacus is unknown, although one study suggests it could be a
third group next to the other two. They can use their specialized tongues to take
the nectar. The tip of their tongues have tufts of papillae, which collect pollen.
Now, lories and lorikeets are described as some of the most beautiful species of
parrot. In the wild, lorikeets feed from plants and flowers. Occasionally they have
been observed feeding on meat. The ultramarine lorikeet is endangered
25. Melopsittacini – The budgerigar also known as the common pet parakeet
or shell parakeet and informally nicknamed the budgie, is a small, long-
tailed, seed-eating parrot. Budgerigars are popular pets around the world
due to their small size, ability to mimic human speech. The origin of the
budgerigar's name is unclear. Today is the third most popular pet in the
world, after the domesticated dog and cat. The budgerigar is closely related
to the fig parrots. They are one of a non-taxonomical term that refers to any
of a number of small parrots with long, flat and tapered tails. In the wild,
budgerigars breed opportunistically and in pairs. The budgerigar has been
thought to be the link between the genera Neophema and Pezoporus based
on the barred plumage. However, phylogenetic studies using DNA
sequences place the budgerigar very close to the lories and the fig parrots.
They display a series of three black spots across each side of their throats.
The two outermost throat spots are situated at the base of each patch. The
tail is cobalt; and outside tail feathers display yellow flashes. Bills are legs
blueish-grey, with zygodactyl toes. Budgerigars in their natural habitat in
Australia are noticeably smaller than those in captivity. Like most parrot
species, plumage fluoresces under ultraviolet light.
