Fairy Lorikeet (Charmosyna pulchella)

Wild Fairy Lorikeet
© Nick Athanas [CC BY-NC 2.0] via Flickr

Photos

Did You Know?

The calls of the Fairy Lorikeet vary geographically. Western populations produce a nasal sound, eastern birds are sweeter and more staccato.

Academic Research

Related publications: Charmosyna pulchella

Species Profile

Genus: Charmosyna | Species: pulchella

Size:

18cm (7 in)

Weight:

24-34g (0.8-1.2 oz)

Subspecies including nominate:

two: C.p. pulchella, C.p. rothschildi

Colour Adult:

C.p. pulchella: Male-dark green back, wings and upper tail coverts; blue rump; purple/black spot on hindcrown; breast and occasionally lower flanks streaked with yellow; thighs purple/black; uppertail green tipped with yellow, with central feathers red towards middle and tips. Bill orange/red. Eye yellow/orange. Female-lower back green/yellow on sides; sides of rump to flanks yellow.
C.p. rothschildi: Male-green breast streaked with yellow; black spot on hindcrown reaching forward to area behind eye and continuing as black wash on hindneck to meet green mantle; purple/black on abdomen; upper tail coverts suffused with yellow. Female-wide green chest band with yellow streaking; green/yellow spot on side of rump.

Colour Juvenile:

C.p. pulchella: Green crown and nape; breast washed green with yellow streaking absent or minimal; green rump; thighs dark green washed with black; underwing stripe dull yellow. Bill dark brown. Eye brown.
C.p. rothschildi: Dull green breast with yellow streaking absent or minimal.

Call:

Call notes vary from area to area; in west sounds are nasal, in the east sweeter and shorter.

Listen Now

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 139546, Fairy Lorikeet Charmosyna pulchella, Beehler, Bruce, Papua, Indonesia, Dec. 7 2005, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Site
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006. 2010 edition
Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1977, 1989
Lexicon of Parrots, Thomas Arndt.
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.
Parrots: Their Care and Breeding, Low, 1986.

Wild Fairy Lorikeet
© Nick Athanas [CC BY-NC 2.0] via Flickr

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The calls of the Fairy Lorikeet vary geographically. Western populations produce a nasal sound, eastern birds are sweeter and more staccato.

Academic Research

Related publications: Charmosyna pulchella

Species Care

Captive Status:

Small numbers in captivity.

Longevity:

Not recorded.

Housing:

Enclosure with well-drained floor, suspended over a concrete base, or indoor cage 1.2m (4 ft) long in room with tile on walls and floor.

Diet:

Nectar, either a commercial mix specially formulated for small species, or a mixture of baby cereal (lactose-free), honey and malt extract or molasses, mixed with water (filtered or bottled), made fresh once or twice daily; fruits such as: apple, orange, cactus fruits, pears. Avoid protein as may cause reaction.

Enrichment:

Provide bird-safe flowering branches (unsprayed); also provide shallow dish for daily bathing. Use climbing toys such as ropes and swings.

Nest Box Size:

5" x 5" x 10" (12.7cm x 12.7cm x 25.4cm) vertical box.

Clutch Size:

2

Incubation Time:

25 days

Fledging Age:

8.5 weeks

Hatch Weight:

Not recorded.

Peak Weight:

Not recorded.

Weaning Weight:

Not recorded.

Specialist Club:

The Lory LInk

Wild Fairy Lorikeet
© Nick Athanas [CC BY-NC 2.0] via Flickr

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The calls of the Fairy Lorikeet vary geographically. Western populations produce a nasal sound, eastern birds are sweeter and more staccato.

Academic Research

Related publications: Charmosyna pulchella

Species Wild Status

World Population:

Unknown, stable.

IUCN Red List Status:

Least Concern

CITES Listing:

Appendix II

Threat Summary:

The species is reported to be abundant in some areas but scarce in others. Trade is generally low.

Range:

C.p. pulchella: Mountains of New Guinea, excluding Cyclops Mountains.
C.p. rothschildi: Cyclops Mountains and northern slopes of mountains above Idenbreg River, Irian Jaya.

Habitat:

Found in montane forest, forest edge and secondary growth from 750-2300m (2460-7544 ft).

Wild Diet:

Takes pollen and nectar. Large Melicope trees appear important, as do Elaeocarpus and Syzygium.

Ecology and Behaviour:

Found in pairs, or flocks of 15 or more individuals. Groups with other Charmosyna lorikeets in the tops of flowering trees.

Clutch and Egg Size:

2 rounded eggs, 19.0 x 16.0mm (0.7 x 0.6 in)

Breeding Season:

January-April. Nest is in cavity at the base of an epiphyte.

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The calls of the Fairy Lorikeet vary geographically. Western populations produce a nasal sound, eastern birds are sweeter and more staccato.

Academic Research

Related publications: Charmosyna pulchella

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