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Iris Lorikeet

 (Psitteuteles iris)
 
Click photo to visit gallery

Iris Lorikeet, San Diego Zoo
© Evan Parker [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Did You Know?

The Iris Lorikeet has a strongly built beak, more so than most lories and lorikeets. It is speculated that this may be an adaptation for a specific item in its diet.

Academic Research

Related publications: Psitteuteles iris

Species Profile

Genus: Psitteuteles | Species: iris

Size:

20cm (7.8 in)

Weight:

65-75g (2.3-2.6oz)

Subspecies including nominate:

three: P.i. iris, P.i. rubripileum, P.i. wetterensis

Colour Adult:

P.i. iris: Both adults in general yellow/green; red forecrown and area above eye, in female less extensive and lighter; purple/blue band from area behind eye to ear coverts; sides of hindneck purple/blue; pale grey/blue occiput; nuchal collar yellow/green; yellow/green underparts barred with darker green. Bill orange/red. Eye orange.
P.i. rubripileum: Both adults forecrown to occiput red, with minimal grey/blue.
P.i. wetterensis: Both adults darker red forecrown with grey/blue mixed in; eye to ear coverts has darker purple band; dull red/brown wash on forecheeks with blue tint; darker barring on underparts; larger in size.

Colour Juvenile:

P.i. iris: As in adult female, but with less red on forecrown; band from behind eye to ear coverts duller. Bill brown. Eye brown.
P.i. rubripileum: As in adults.
P.i. wetterensis: As in adults.

Call:

Calls are a variety of screeches, some shrill, and whistles.

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
Parrots: Status Survey and Conservation Plan 2000-2004, Snyder, McGowan, Gilardi, Grajal, 2000.
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006. 2010 edition
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.
Lexicon of Parrots, Thomas Arndt.
Parrots: Their Care and Breeding, Low, 1986.

Click photo to visit gallery

Iris Lorikeet, San Diego Zoo
© Evan Parker [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Did You Know?

The Iris Lorikeet has a strongly built beak, more so than most lories and lorikeets. It is speculated that this may be an adaptation for a specific item in its diet.

Academic Research

Related publications: Psitteuteles iris

Species Care

Captive Status:

Fairly rare

Longevity:

25 yrs or more.

Housing:

Aviary with concrete or tiled floor and washable walls, with a drain, or suspended enclosure with same, 2.5 x 1 x 2m (8.2 x 3.3 x 6.5 ft).

Diet:

Nectar, a commercial type or one homemade from: lactose-free baby cereal, honey and malt extract or molasses, mixed with filtered water and made fresh once or twice daily, comprising about 5 to 10 percent of the diet; fruits such as: apple, pear, orange, banana, kiwi, pomegranate, cactus fruits; vegetables such as: carrot, fresh corn on the cob; green leaves such as: Swiss chard, lettuce, kale, sowthistle, dandelion, chickweed; dried figs soaked in water for a few hours; spray millet; small amount of soaked or sprouted sunflower seed and some canary seed and/or oats.

Enrichment:

Are vigorous chewers so provide bird-safe, unsprayed flowering, willow, elder, fir or pine branches; wooden block or vegetable tanned leather toys (remove promptly when soiled); heat sterilized pine cones. Also provide overhead misters or shallow, water filled bowls for bathing.

Nest Box Size:

Nest log or vertical box 8" x 8" x 16" (20.3cm x 20.3cm x 40.6cm).

Clutch Size:

2

Incubation Time:

23 days

Fledging Age:

8 weeks

Hatch Weight:

4g (0.1 oz)

Peak Weight:

Not recorded.

Weaning Weight:

52-60g (1.8-2.1 oz)

Specialist Club:

The Lory Link

Click photo to visit gallery

Iris Lorikeet, San Diego Zoo
© Evan Parker [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Did You Know?

The Iris Lorikeet has a strongly built beak, more so than most lories and lorikeets. It is speculated that this may be an adaptation for a specific item in its diet.

Academic Research

Related publications: Psitteuteles iris

Species Wild Status

World Population:

About 10,000, decreasing.

IUCN Red List Status:

Near Threatened

CITES Listing:

Appendix II

Threat Summary:

Not globally threatened. A BirdLife “restricted-range” species. The least common of the three lorikeets on Timor in recent decades, but presumably still relatively secure on a still partly forested and fairly large island; probably locally common at higher elevations. Could be facing declines from trapping.

Range:

P.i. iris: W Timor.
P.i. rubripileum: E Timor.
P.i wetterrensis: Wetar Island.

Habitat:

Found up to 1500m (4920 ft) in monsoon forest, woodland, plantations and agricultural land with flowering trees.

Wild Diet:

Visits flowering trees including Sesbania. Recorded feeding in Eucalyptus alba and in tamarinds.

Ecology and Behaviour:

Seen in small groups; inconspicuous and shy. Occasionally seen in flocks of up to 50 individuals in heavily flowered trees.

Clutch and Egg Size:

2 eggs, 23.5 x 19.5mm (0.9 x 0.7 in).

Breeding Season:

Not recorded.

Related Links:

Wikipedia

Click photo to visit gallery

Iris Lorikeet, San Diego Zoo
© Evan Parker [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Did You Know?

The Iris Lorikeet has a strongly built beak, more so than most lories and lorikeets. It is speculated that this may be an adaptation for a specific item in its diet.

Academic Research

Related publications: Psitteuteles iris

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