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-

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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. If real danger should threaten then the flock will fly off to a more thickly wooded area where it will feel safer. Of course, there are also dangers during the breeding period and, should danger threaten, the whole group will leave the nesting tree and return only when the coast is clear. The incubating or brooding hens return first to their nests. When there is no immediate danger the breeding cocks will feed the incubating hens three or four times a day. Even when Youngsters notyet infull adultplu111age help theJnselves to a nutritious nectardrink. L to R: there are young in the nest he will Rainbow Lory, Ornate Lory, Yellow-backed Chattering Lory, Black-capped Lory.

keep up a sitnilar pattern, once in the morning, twice during the day and once more towards evening, feeding both his mate and the young.

Breeding Behavior Wild lories and lorikeets breed in the hollow limbs and trunks of trees. The entrance hole may be enlarged and the interior of the nest is usually intensively modified by gnawing with the strong psittacine beak. This results in a soft layer of wood pulp in the base of the hollow, which is· often supplemented by the birds with a few Talne lories enjoy a fresh fruit snack. Le}t -RedL01Y (Eos bornea), right- Yellow Dusky eucalyptus leaves to make a bed for Lory (Pseudeosfuscata). the eggs. A few species, but especially

60 April/May 1993 those in the genus Vini, may occa­ species are vulnerable or indeed nesting sites. Cleared areas may be sionally use the hollowed out interior endangered. The greatest danger of developed for many uses but, even if of a rotten coconut in which to raise all, ironically perhaps, is man himself they were reforested with eucalyptus their offspring. With most species the with his exploitation of the land. trees, it would be at least a hundred hen lays two, but occasionally three or Clearing, draining, reclamation, years before they were again suitable more white, round-oval eggs. The deforestation, industry and agriculture for hole nesters. eggs are incubated by the hen without have all contributed to the serious direct assistance from her mate but the demise of many species. One serious Water cock frequently relieves her for a few problem is loss of nesting sites. It During my observations on wild minutes. It is unfortunately not clear if takes many years for eucalyptus trees populations, it became obvious to me the cock actually sits on the eggs dur­ (the main nesting trees of many spe­ that lories and lorikeets do not readily ing these periods. I have had the cies in Indonesia and Australia) to age leave their feeding or breeding tree opportunity of examining wild, breed­ sufficiently to have large enough hol­ (often one and the same tree), even to ing lories on several occasions and I low lilnbs for nesting. If all the old go drinking or bathing. If they should have never found brooding patches trees are cleared, there is a shortage of have a choice, they would rather drink on males. The cock also, usually, spends the night in the nest hollow with the hen, but I have been unable to ascertain if the cock is, or is not, actually involved with the incubation ofthe eggs. The smaller species have an incuba­ tion period of 17 to 23 days, the mediuIn sized species about 25 days, and the largest species up to 30 days. At hatching time, the youngsters are covered with a thick, white layer of BECAUSE . .. down, which becomes gray after a Not Every Bird few days. In just a few weeks they Gets Topper Bird gain their feathers and when they Ranch Diets leave the nest, they are so well feathered that they are difficult to dis­ ... YETI tinguish froIn their parents. For the first weeks the youngsters continue to use their nest hollow at night but after two or three weeks they become more AS EASY AS ••• or less independent, leave their par­ ents and join up with the general flock. If it is a good year and there is plenty of food available, a second brood may be started shortly after the first has fledged. In really good years even three broods Inay be reared. Pairs of lorikeets becoIne very aggressive during breeding and will not tolerate any interference. Birds which approach too close to the nest for comfort will be vigorously repelled ~w,~ L~fO R es ferti\ity and in serious cases blood may flow! _ \ncreos They will also vigorously defend the nest against such egg or nestling pred­ ators as monkeys or tree martens; ~~ however, with felines, snakes, and _ P\US Minero\~ other large reptiles, courage is lost and for strong BIrdS the birds will retire protestingly and & Eggs noisily to a nearby tree. Some of the most serious predators are rats, which have been introduced to many islands by the activities of man. Isolated spe­ ASK YOUR LOCAL SUPPLIER cies with a small range of habitat are especially vulnerable to such preda­ MADE TOPPER BIRD RANCH EAST TOPPER BIRD RANCH WEST ENTIRELY Route 19. Box 529 1466 N. Carpenter Rd. tion. Two good examples are the gen­ lexington. NC 27292 Modesto. CA 95351 IN U.S.A. era Vini and Phigys from which many (704) 352-BlRO (209) 524-2828

afa \X1ATCHBIRD 61 from the early morning dew, or rain­ gated. drops on the leaves of the tree (see One ofthe most important lory char­ under). To bathe they use the rain, or acteristics is the brush-tipped tongue, frolic among the dew soaked foliage, which is quite long and narrow. At the Bird rather than leave their beloved tree. As tongue tip there are several rows of they take mainly moist food, drinking papillae arranged in a V-formation. Pet and Supplies water is relatively unimportant to During feeding, the papillae are Retailers - lories and lorikeets when compared erected so that pollen and nectar can with seed eating birds, but they still be brushed from the food flowers. must always have a fresh supply in Once loaded with pollen, the tongue cage or aviary. Some species, espe­ is withdrawn into the mouth and the did you know that one cially those in the genus Tricho­ brush scraped across a fold of skin on of the most prestigious glossus, occasionally fly to a stream or the palate so that the food is removed. bird publications, slow flowing river and more or less do The tongue papillae are of various a "belly flop" on the water surface lengths depending on the species and The Watchbird with their wings spread before flying it can safely be said that the more to a nearby perch to complete their dependant the species is on pollen is available for toilet. Captive specimens also appreci­ and nectar, the longer the tongue resale in your store? ate facilities for taking a bath and if papillae will be. This is particularly you offer them a shallow dish ofclean evident in the genera Phigys, Vini, water they will most likely frolic in the Charmosyna, and Hypochyarmosyna. Call or write for infonnation: water with obvious enjoyment. A colleague, Pagel, has observed, for example, that theJohnstone's Lorikeet American Federation of Aviculture Some Ornithological Facts (Trichoglossus j. johnstoneiae) from the Box 56218 p.o. island of Mindanao (Philippines) and Phoenix, AZ 85079-6218 ]. Forshaw (1973) recognizes 11 genera, 55 species and 88 subspecies the Iris Lory (Trichoglossus or Glossop­ (602) 484-0931 in the subfamily Lorinae. ].1. Peters sitta i. iris) from western Timor have (1937) recognized 15 genera, while relatively short papillae, which shows Dr. H.E. Wolters (982) believes the that seeds are a large part of the birds' figures to be 13 genera, 56 species and diets; not hard, dry seeds as obtained 134 subspecies (see also above). on the market, but soft unripe seeds. Whoever may be right here is imma­ The base of the tongue is not only a terial; we must take a compromising support for the relatively long tongue view. What is more important is that itself but also assists in the erection of Deadline Schedule we maintain our interest in the birds the papillae. The papillae erect auto­ themselves. Enthusiasm for the group matically as the tongue is extended. June / July '93 started already in London in 1774 With reference to the fold of skin on FeaturingAFRICAN BIRDS April 1 - editorial copy when the first illustrations of these the palate mentioned above, it is inter­ April 15 - displayADS birds arrived from Australia. Soon the esting to note that many ornithologists fantastic colors and patterns were the use this as a major taxonomical char­ talk of the scientific world. Interest­ acteristic in bird classification. For Aug / Sept '93 Featuring SHOWING BIRDS ingly, the whole color spectrum may example the palate-fold in the Iris Lory June 1 -editorial copy be found in the plumage of lories and mentioned above is situated much June 15 -displayADS lorikeets: melanin (black, gray, further back in the mouth than in the brown), carotenoid (especially yel­ genera Phigys, Vini, Charmosyna and Oct/ Nov '93 low, orange and red), and the struc­ Hypocharmosyna where it is situated Featuring BACKTO BASICS ture color blue (and violet). There are more in the middle of the palate. Aug. 1 - editorial copy also uniformly colored species, the While on the subject, we should not Aug. 15 -displayADS Black Lorikeet (Chalopsitta atra) for forget that lories and lorikeets playa example, and various species in the major role in the pollination of many Dec '93 / Jan '94 genus Charmosyna, the so-called flowering trees and other plants. Oct. 1 - editorial copy ornamentallories. Most of the lories and lorikeets have Oct. 15 -displayADS Most species have 12 tail feathers, poorly developed gizzards and thus but the Beautiful Mountain Lories find it difficult to satisfactorily process Feb/ Mar'94 (Oreopsittacus) have 14. The genera dry, hard seeds. However, it is inter­ Featuring Phigys (Solitary Lories) and Vini MARKETING YOUR BIRDS esting to see how a lory or lorikeet de­ Dec. 1 - editorial copy (Virgin Lories) have extended neck husks seeds with the edges of its Dec. 15 -displayADS feathers which they can puffout when mandibles. In the wild, half-ripe seed excited or during courtship. The is also thus treated and the tongue is Apr I May'94 wings are relatively long, the tail short used to move the seed into the ideal Feb. 1 - editorial copy to medium, sometimes with a pair of positions. Seeds are not swallowed Feb. 15 -displayADS extended middle tail feathers. The whole or merely crushed, but de­ beak is somewhat narrow and elon- husked, a trait characteristic ofall psit-

62 April / May 1993 tacines. Large seeds are frequently down at an angle and the beak is much noisy squabbling among the held in one ofthe feet. opened Widely (so wide, in fact, that birds as they vie for the best roosting Fruits are first cautiously tested with the upper mandible rarely touches the spots, sometimes late into the night. the tip of the tongue before the point water surfaceO and the tongue tip is On brighter nights, restless birds will of the upper mandible bites into the placed in the water. The tongue papil­ frequently change trees in the quest flesh, while the edge of the lower lae take up water which is withdrawn for a more comfortable sleeping spot mandible completes the biting pro­ into the mouth and the process is con­ and renewed squabbles will be con­ cess. A piece of fruit flesh is then tinued until the thirst is quenched. stantly breaking out. I have often manipulated with the tongue while Being tree-dwelling or arboreal birds, observed communal roosts in the the mandibles make a sort of chewing lories and lorikeets only occasionally mangroves of lagoons and coastal motion with the fruit being pressed descend to ground level to feed or islands, but sometimes also in against the horny palate. The juices drink. As far as drinking goes, they orchards, parks and gardens. They which are pressed out are swallowed, much prefer to lick dew or raindrops show little fear ofman and I have seen while any unused debris such as pips from foliage with their brush-tongue them nesting and roosting in trees in or skin are thrown out with a shake of rather than descend to a body of busy town parks! Eventually the birds the head. It is therefore useful to have water. The birds may perform some will settle for the night, only to awake cages lined with plastic so that they stunning acrobatics in their endeavors at the crack of dawn full of renewed can easily be wiped clean with a wet to reach water droplets. enthusiasm for feeding and breeding. cloth. Insects such as mealworms and Sleeping Nomadic Behavior maggots are held with the tips of the Breeding pairs with eggs or young Australian lories and lorikeets have beak and the body juices are sucked will normally sleep together in the a relatively nomadic lifestyle. This is out, the tongue-tip playing an import­ nest; non-breeding birds have special due mainly to climatic factors, espe­ ant role in this. Larger insects may be "dormitory trees" where they congre­ cially in the north where there is a held in the foot and torn apart. The gate at night, much in the manner of long, dry season in which the vegeta­ chitinous shell is not eaten but dis­ our northern starlings. Such com­ tion becomes fairly dormant. There carded in the same way as uneaten munal roosts are often quite close to are thus few food sources for rela­ pieces offruit. the nesting hollows of the breeding tively long periods and the birds must The tongue also has an important birds. The nightly congregations are forage over vast areas if they are to function in drinking. The head is held hardly peaceful affairs and there is survive.•

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