Cardinal Lories (Chalcopsitta cardinalis)

Cardinal Lories ( Chalcopsitta cardinalis) are uncommon in captivity. These Lories are endangered (CITES II) in their natural habitat in Feni, Nissan and Lavongai Islands, islands in the Tanga, Lihir and Tabor Group, and Solomon Islands.

They favor mangroves, coastal plantations and lowland forest areas.

Cardinal Lories (Chalcopsitta cardinalis)

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Description

The Cardinal Lory averages 31 cm or 12 inches in length (including its long tail). The plumage is mostly red. The beak is orange and the bare skin at base of beak and around eyes is black. The irides (= plural of iris) are orange-red and the legs are grey. The male and female look alike.

Juveniles can be identified by their dull orange and black bills, pale grey eye-rings, and yellow irides.

These lories favor fruit-bearing trees with red blossoms

## Cardinal Lories as Pets or in Aviculture:

Due to their endangered status, any suitable specimen that cannot be released back into their natural habitat (native range) should preferably be placed into a well-managed breeding program to ensure the continued survival of this species.

In 1989, the Solomon Island permitted few Cardinal Lories to be exported to the USA. However, because of the Wild Bird Conservation Act in 1992 the exportion of Cardinal Lories from the Solomon Islands to the USA was banned except for approved breeding.

Taxonomy

Family: Loriidae … Genus: Scientific: Chalcopsitta … English: Glossy Lory … Dutch: Glanslori … German: Glanzloris … French: Lori éclat … Species: Scientific: Chalcopsitta cardinalis … English: Cardinal Lory … Dutch: Kardinaallori … German: Kardinallori … French: Lori cardinale

Other Relevant Web Resources

• Photos of the Different Lory Species for Identification … Listing of Species
• Distribution Maps of Lories and Lorikeets
• Lories and Lorikeets in Aviculture
• Feeding and Housing Your Lories and Lorikeets
• Diseases of Lories / Lorikeets and Health Care Program

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