Papuan Lorikeet (Charmosyna papou)

Papuan Lorikeet
© Greg Miles | Wikimedia Commons

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Did You Know?

Three out of the four races of this species have melanistic (dark) phases. The nominate has no dark colouration.

Academic Research

Related publications: Charmosyna papou

Species Profile

Genus: Charmosyna | Species: papou

Size:

25cm (9.75 in)

Weight:

90-115g (3.1-4 oz)

Races including nominate:

four: C.p.papou, C.p. stellae, C.p. goliathina, C.p. wahnesi

Colour Adult:

C.p. papou: 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.
C.p. stellae: (Has melanistic phase, where red is replaced with black) male-black patch reaching from occiput to hindneck and streaked in front with purple/blue; black lower flanks, yellow absent; yellow on sides of breast absent; centre tail feathers elongated and widely tipped with yellow/orange. Female-as in male but lower back and sides of rump yellow.
C.p. goliathina: (Has melanistic phase) both adults as in stellae, but with long central tail feathers widely tipped with yellow.
C.p. wahnesi: (Has melanistic phase) both adults as in stellae, but with broad yellow band across upper abdomen.

Colour Juvenile:

C.p. papou: 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.
C.p. stellae: In general duller than adults; with black margins on feathers of neck and breast; yellow underwing band in varying proportions; elongated tips to central tail feathers absent.
C.p. goliathina: As in adults.
C.p. wahnesi: As in adults.

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
Handbook of Birds of the World

Content Sources:

CITES
Lexicon of Parrots
BirdLife International
Internet Bird Collection
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
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.

Papuan Lorikeet
© Greg Miles | Wikimedia Commons

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

Three out of the four races of this species have melanistic (dark) phases. The nominate has no dark colouration.

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

Papuan Lorikeet
© Greg Miles | Wikimedia Commons

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

Three out of the four races of this species have melanistic (dark) phases. The nominate has no dark colouration.

Academic Research

Related publications: Charmosyna papou

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:

C.p. papou: Vogelkop Mountains, W Irian Jaya.
C.p. stellae: Mountains of E Papua New Guinea, west to Angabunga River and Herzog Mountains.
C.p. goliathina: Mountains of western and central New Guinea, from head of Geelvink Bay, Irian Jaya, east to C Papua New Guinea.
C.p. wahnesi: Mountains of Huon Peninsula, N Papua New Guinea.

Habitat:

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

Wild Diet:

Feeds on nectar, pollen, possibly flowers, flower buds, fruits 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.

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

Three out of the four races of this species have melanistic (dark) phases. The nominate has no dark colouration.

Academic Research

Related publications: Charmosyna papou

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