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Understanding Lories & Lorikeets

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Understanding Lories & Lorikeets Understanding Lories & Lorikeets byMatthew M. Vriends, Ph.D. Pleasant Plain, Ohio Introduction they might, due to their specialized large range and several occur on two During the last few years, lories and diet and the fact that their droppings or more islands. The climate and avail­ lorikeets have experienced a well are watery and messy, which meant ability offood may have some bearing deserved increase in popularity that cages had to be thoroughly on the distribution of various subspe­ among aviculturists. With their clown­ cleaned on a daily basis. There is thus cies. In some genera there are sub­ like behavior and their brilliant colors, little positive information about them species that we can cautiously say they are truly a feast for the eyes and in the literature. As I have personally are questionable. The well known excellent subjects for aviaries and (for had opportunities to study these birds German ornithologist, Dr. H.E. some species) for large cages. In the in their natural habitats as well as hav­ Wolters would recognize 56 species, past, fanciers regarded these birds ing had much experience with captive though I would be doubtful about with perhaps less enthusiasm than specimens, I hope, with this text, to three of these; another one, the New modestly offer some facts which will Caledonian Lorikeet (Hypocharmo­ lead to a better general understanding syna diadema), is probably extinct. of these beautiful and extremely inter­ Of the 134 subspecies recognized by esting psittacines. Dr. Wolters, there are at least 15 which can be regarded as synonyms of the nominate forms or at least with doubt­ Geographical Notes ful status. Personally, I do not believe The "heart" of "lory country" is it is necessary to give subspecies Australasia, but especially New status on account of small color differ­ ~ORIIDAE Guinea and its rich collection of tiny ences; alliories and lorikeets (with a PRODUCTION eastern islands which include the last few exceptions) possess a varied color NETWORK "lory stongholds" of Henderson pattern which could easily lead to Island and the little Pitcairn Ducie offers: mistaken classifications. I am of the Islands, where in 1907, the Stephen's opinion that further studies based on "Lories Delight" Lory (Vini stephens;) was discovered. morphological rather than color char­ - a natural diet for lories, may be fed This bird is now rarely if ever seen in acteristics are necessary before we dry, used as a nectar or as a hand captiVity though I once viewed a spec­ can make any hard and fast ornitholo­ feeding formula. imen owned by a Belgian fancier. I am gical decisions regarding the classifi­ (Free SaJ11l1e) not aware of any American or Cana­ cations of this group ofspecies. As we ****** dian specimens. Travelling westwards are here mainly concerned with the Lories - Handfed young and adults. from New Guinea, we come to the care and breeding of the avialable ****** many islands of Indonesia all popu­ species, we will omit further taxo­ "Lories and Lorikeels in Aviculture" lated with lories as far as Bali and nomical discussion. book of up-to-date information on Lombok where the Mitchell's Lorikeet keeping and breeding lories­ (Trichoglossus haematodus mitchell;) $49.95 plus $3.00 SIll. is found. This is a splendid bird with a Nutrition light red breast which appears irregu­ The main diet of lories and lorikeets John Vanderhoof larly on the market. is the nectar of flowering trees, but P.O. Box 575, Woodlake, CA 93286 Some of the lory species from the much pollen also is devoured as well (209) 564-3610 aforementioned areas (Henderson as sweet, soft fruits and berries; some­ Island to Bali) have a surprisingly times the soft, unripe seeds of grass 58 April / May 1993 and other plants are also eaten. areas, even high into montane forest. nearest stand of trees and seek refuge Insects and their larvae are eagerly Some species are quite nomadic and among the foliage. Few birds of prey taken at all times, but especially dur­ follow the flowering of the food trees; will pursue their victims among foli­ ing the breeding season. Alilories and some of them frequently cover fair age. Do not imagine that once the lorikeets I have ever kept have been distances from island to island. birds have taken refuge, they will sit crazy about maggots, mealworms Indeed, most lories and lorikeets are still and remain silent. They will soon (which for safety's sake are first very adept fliers, recognized by their return to their lively, clown-like and soaked for a few minutes in boiling straight and fast flight. Many of them quarrelsome foraging among the foli­ water) and ant pupae. Flocks of wild travel around in fairly large flocks so age in search offood as if nothing had lories can be a pest in orchards where that they are protected against hawks happened, especially if they had been they will damage much unripe fruit in and other predators which seem to lucky enough to land amidst blossom­ search of their sweet and ripe favor­ prefer single birds as prey. Once, in ing trees! It is indeed a wonderful sight ites. In Indonesia I have seen apple the Celebes, I observed a flock of to experience a flock of lories foraging and pear harvests totally destroyed by Ornate Lorikeets (Trichoglossus among their food trees. Sometimes hundreds of these birds. I have also ornatus). Suddenly a few birds, obvi­ they are in company with several seen corn, sorghum, and wheat crops ously in fear, separated from the main other nectar and pollen eating bird severely damaged by the birds. The flock as they were pursued by a hawk. species; in general they tolerate each local people try to keep the birds The hawk flew between the main other and interspecific aggression is away with empty food cans sus­ flock and the separated birds and, rarely observed. pended on strings so that they bang with a swoop, took the most isolated If individual flocks should come together in the breeze and create a bird in its talons before making off. together, one will really experience frightful noise; if this doesn't work Lories are very cautious and will fly how lively and vocal these birds are; then, unfortunately, the guns come quickly, and with shrilling consistency they never forgo their lively behavior, out! over open tracts of land, becoming even 10 a roomy aVIary. In view of their preferred diet, and calmer when back among the trees Lories and lorikeets use all manner due to the fact that lories and lorikeets but always remaining alert. Should a ofactions to reach their food; twisting, nest high up in hollow limbs and flock of lorikeets be pursued by a bird squirming and hanging, often sus­ trunks of mainly eucalyptus trees, it ofprey -which does not happen very pended by one foot in order to reach seems fairly obvious that most of the often - the birds will attempt to an elusive bloom. It is interesting to birds inhabit fairly thickly wooded remain grouped and will make for the observe that a particular group of lor- IF YOU MISSED THE AFA CONVENTION DON'T MISS THE PROCEEDINGS. Complete Written Copy of Key Presentations of the Annual Convention. A Collection ofInformation Not A vailable Anywhere Else! Ready For Immediate Shipment. AFA 1992 Proceedings 1991 Proceedings Compiled from the convention Compiled from the convention AMual Conrerence Aug. 2-6, Miami Beach, FL Aug. 7-11, San Diego, CA Proceedings 78 pages including... 150 pages including... 1992 "Embyonic Mortality in the Incubator" "Managing Large, Mixed Species Aviaries" "The Trouble With Amazons" "Breeding Canaries" "Successful Reproduction of Cockatoos" "Raising Psittacines for the Pet Trade" 50 "Eclectus Parrots" "Cage Breeding Finches" $22 "Avian Necropsy Techniques" "Parrots in South America" each "Keeping Lories and Lorikeets" "Husbandry & Medical Nursery Management" Includes Shipping Send request with your mailing address and check or money order payable to AFA: P.O. Box 56218, Phoenix, Arizona 85079-6218. Please specify which year you want to order and quantity. To order using a Visa or Mastercard call the AFA Business Office at (602) 484-0931. Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., MST. OR, fax your request with your credit card number and mailing address 7 days a week, 24 hours a day: (602) 484-0109. ata WATCHBIRD 59 ies will accept a lost or stray member oftheir own species without problems but, in times of food shortages, they may attempt to drive off other species, though they do not always get the upper hand. In this connection, it is paradoxical that excited lories at a food source will actually attract other blossom feeding species with their constant chatter and thus have to share. Other groups of lories may also be attracted and, in such cases, there is seldom protest and the birds will feed together in harmony. When a flock of lories or lorikeets discovers a suitable flowering tree, the birds first land in the upper foliage and look carefully around to ensure the coast is clear. If all is well, they then begin to forage. A second group Three youngjledglings, at left-Edward's Lory (Trichoglossus hae1natodus capistratu!)), of lories landing in the same tree will center and right-BlueMountain (or Swainson '!)) Lory (Trichoglossus hae1natodus behave in exactly the same wary man­ moluccanus). ner, even if the first group is already busy foraging. Should there be a sud­ den disturbance, the whole Cor both) flockCs) will rise "as one man" and fly screechingly away. Should it be a false alarm, the birds will soon return to the tree and forage again, after making a couple of cautionary circuits around the area.
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