Red and Blue Lories or Blue-diademed Lories (Eos histrio histrio)

Red and Blue Lories or Blue-diademed Lories

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

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The Red-and-blue Lory(Eos histrio histrio) is / was endemic to the islands of Sangihe and Talaud and some of their outliers off northern Sulawesi, Indonesia.

This Lory has/had a very small range and its population is declining owing to habitat loss. It has undergone a rapid population decline, largely as a result of trapping for trade.

The nominate race “Eos histrio histrio” is currently listed as extinct. Please refer to below info (Please note that the below refers to the NOMINATE form only: subspecies and hybrids are still in existence.)

“Eos histrio histrio (Sangir Archipelago, Indonesia, c. 1997) The nominate subspecies of the Red and Blue Lory was hybridized out of existence by escaped trade individuals of the subspecies talautensis, the last purebred individuals disappearing in the 1990s or even much earlier. ” (Source: List of extinct parrots)

This species inhabited forests, eating fruit and insects, but also visits agricultural areas to feed on coconut nectar and various cultivated fruits. The main breeding period appeared to be May through June. They nested in holes in tall trees. Flocks regularly made short seasonal movements, and in some cases were found on offshore islands.

Sub-species:

• Challanger’s Lories (Eos histrio challengeri) – Distribution: Nenusa Islands

Talaud Red and Blue Lories (Eos histrio talautensis) – Distribution: Talaud Islands – a group of islands located north of Sulawesi island in Indonesia. The Talaud Islands are also the northernmost region of Indonesia, bordering the Philippines.

Description:

This strikingly-patterned is red, with orange bill and purplish-blue patch on mid- to hind crown and broad line from eye to mantle. It sports a purplish-blue breast-band, mantle and back. Black scapulars (shoulder feathers), flight feathers and thighs. Its red wing feathers are tipped black. The tail is reddish-purple.

Its calls consist of short harsh chattering screeches.

Red and Blue Lories as Pets or in Aviculture:

The nominate form is considered “extinct” and for them this section may be irrelevant, unless some survivors are discovered. Should this occur, it would be critically important to place any surviving specimen into a highly controlled and well-managed breeding program to hopefully build up populations of this lory.  Subspecies and hybridized individuals are still available in aviculture and as pets.

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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
• Special Challenges of Lories and Lorikeets: Training and Behavioral Guidance

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Taxonomy:

Family: Loriidae … Genus: Scientific: Eos … English: Red Lory … Dutch: Rode lori … German: Rotloris … French: Lori rouge

Species: Scientific: Eos histrio histiro … English: Red and Blue Lory, Blue-diademed Lory … Dutch: Diadeemlori, Roodblauwe Lori … German: Diademlori, Harlekinlori … French: Lori rouge et violet

Sub-Species / Races Including Nominate: histrio, talautensis, challengen

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Sub-species:

Challanger’s Lories:

Challenger’s Lory was listed as a supposed subspecies of the Red and Blue Lory, but probably invalid.

Distribution: Nenusa Islands, Talaud Archipelago, early 20th century?

Family: Loriidae … Genus: Scientific: Eos … English: Red Lory … Dutch: Rode lori … German: Rotloris … French: Lori rouge

Species: Scientific: Eos histrio challengeri … English: Challanger’s Lory … Dutch: Challangers Roodblauwe Lori … German: Nenusa Diademlori, Challangerlori … French: Lori de Nenusa … CITES I – Protected Species

Talaud Red and Blue Lories:

Distribution: Talaud Islands – a group of islands located north of Sulawesi island in Indonesia. The Talaud Islands are also the northernmost region of Indonesia, bordering the Philippines.

Family: Loriidae … Genus: Scientific: Eos … English: Red Lory … Dutch: Rode lori … German: Rotloris … French: Lori rouge

Species: Scientific: Eos histrio talautensis … English: Talaud Red and Blue Lory … Dutch: Talaud Roodblauwe Lori … German: Talaud Diademlori … French: Lori de Talaud … CITES I – Protected Species

Species Research by Sibylle Johnson

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Gaurav Dhir

Gaurav is an animal enthusiast. He lives in beautiful Ontario with his energetic family. As a part of his work at beautyofbirds.com, he has been working with ace parrot trainer, Cassie Malina to understand bird behavior and learn more about how he can train his feathered companions.

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