Purple-crowned Lorikeets

The Purple-crowned Lorikeets (Glossopsitta porphyrocephala) are distributed from eastern Victoria to the south of Western Australia. They are found in lightly wooded habitat such as mallee scrub as well as eucalypt woodland and coastal scrub.

This species is nomadic, with the pattern of distribution varying from year to year according to flowering conditions. They primarily feed on nectar and pollen of flowering Eucalypts, but may also raid orchards to feed on ripe fruit.

Description

The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is a very small lorikeet, approx. 16 cm in length, with a purple crown, apricot orange forehead and ear-coverts and a black bill. Upper parts are bright green, with a wash of bronze across the nape and mantle, while underparts are greenish-yellow with a pale blue belly. There is a small patch of bright blue at the bend of wing, with underwing coverts bright red, and obvious in flight.

They are more often heard than seen, calling often in flight. The call is a high-pitched slightly metallic ‘tziet, tziet’.

In captivity, these lories are usually not shy. This lory has a tendency to obesity especially when kept in a small cage.

This lory enjoys bathing and being sprayed and its mainly “sticky” diet increases the importance for this parrot to be able to wash any sugary liquids off its plumage..

• Bird Grooming: Benefits of bathing (SAFELY) and recommendations.

A colony system with other small birds possible. Large aviaries can also be planted as chewing requirement not very great. In Aviculture, this active lory was found to be very susceptible; often dying without discernible cause. Very strict hygiene necessary; minimum temperature during acclimatisation not less than 75°F (24°C).

Taxonomy:

Family: Loriidae … Scientific: Glossopsitta porphyrocephala

Species: Purple-crowned Lorikeet … German:  Blauscheitellori … Spanish: Lori Coronipúrpura … French:  Lori à couronne pourpre … Italian:  Lorichetto corona viola … Japanese: murasakigashirajakouinko / ムラサキガシラジャコウインコ … CITES II:– Endangered Species

Distribution: South-western & South-eastern Australia, exluding Tasmania

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Other Relevant Web Resources

• Photos of the Different Lory Species for Identification … Listing of Species
• Distribution Maps of Lories & Lorikeets
• Lories & Lorikeets in Aviculture
• Feeding & Housing Your Lories & Lorikeets
• Diseases of Lories / Lorikeets & Health Care Program
• Special Challenges of Lories and Lorikeets: Training and Behavioral Guidance

Lories and Lorikeets: Overview (Naming, Range and Description)