Lories and Lorikeets: Overview (Naming, Range and Description)
The Violet-necked Lories (Eos squamata squamata aka Eos wallacei) are endemic to some of the Indonesian Islands, specifically the Western Papua Islands, Western New Guinea, Maju Island, Weda Island, Indonesia, and Northern Moluccas / Maluku.
They are endangered in their natural habitats (CITES II).
They tend to travel in pairs or small groups up to ten foraging for food (flowers and fruit) in the canopy.
Sub-species:
- Bechstein’s Violet-necked Lories (Eos squamata riciniata) – Distribution: Weda Islands and Islands of the Northern Moluccas / Maluku Islands
- Maju Violet-necked Lories (Eos squamata atrocaerulea) – Distribution: Maju Island, Indonesia
- Obi Violet-necked Lories (Eos squamata obiensis) – Distribution: Island of Obi in the northern Moluccas / Maluku Islands
Description:
The Violet-necked Lories are playful, acrobatic and want to be part of everything the family is doing. They love to share treats such as jelly and honey. These lories are fairly good at mimicking speech and other sounds in their environment.
They average 10 inches (25 cm) in length and 4 oz (110 grams) in body weight. Their expected lifespan is 15 years. They reach maturity at 8 months or later.
Lories in Captivity:
Lories are popular companion birds due to their intelligence, entertaining personality and stunning beauty. They are also quite easily bred, so there are readily available. Males and females look alike and breeders depend on DNA or endoscopic sexing to determine sex.
They are affectionate, curious, extroverted and clowny and exhibit some unique behaviors. Some like to wrap themselves up in a blanket for sleeping. At times, they can even be seen sleeping on their backs. They are capable of aggressive behavior if their territory and possessions are not respected. They are demanding in care requirements (especially diet preparations) and require a lot of attention. Daily baths or showers should be part of their grooming regimen.
They are trainable and, with a little patience and know-how, can be trained to eliminate in a certain area on cue. This webpage will provide you with instructions.
Their voice ranges from loud, piercing whistles and metallic “pings” to soft, high-pitched warbles and chattering.
Violet-necked 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.
Taxonomy:
Family: Loriidae
Genus: Scientific: Eos … English: Red Lory … Dutch: Rode lori … German: Rotloris … French: Lori rouge
Species: Scientific: Eos squamata squamata aka Eos wallacei … English: Violet-necked Lory … Dutch: Violetneklori, Wallace’s Lori, Kapoets Lori … German: Kapuzenlori … French: Lori à coup violet
Sub-Species / Races Including Nominate: obiensis, atrocaerulea, riciniata, squamata
Sub-species:
Bechstein’s Violet-necked Lories
Family: Loriidae
CITES II – Endangered Species … Distribution: Maju Island, Indonesia
Genus: Scientific: Eos … English: Red lory … Dutch: Rode lori … German: Rotloris … French: Lori rouge
Species: Scientific: Eos squamata atrocaerulea … English: Maju Violet-necked Lory … Dutch: Maju Violetneklori … German: Maju Kapuzenlori … French: Lori de Maju
CITES II – Endangered Species … Distribution: Island of Obi in the northern Moluccas / Maluku Islands
Family: Loriidae
Genus: Scientific: Eos … English: Red Lories … Dutch: Rode lori … German: Rotloris … French: Lori rouge
Species: Scientific: Eos squamata obiensis … English: Obi Violet-necked Lory … Dutch: Obi Violetneklori … German: Obi Kapuzenlori … French: Lori de Obi
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
Species Research by Sibylle Johnson
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