Iris Lorikeet

Taxobox
name = Iris Lorikeet
status = NT | status_system = IUCN3.1

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image_caption = At San Diego Zoo
image_width = 225px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Psittaciformes
familia = Psittacidae
genus = "Psitteuteles"
species = "P. iris"
binomial = "Psitteuteles iris"
binomial_authority = (Temminck, 1835)The Iris Lorikeet, "Psitteuteles iris" is a small, up to 20cm long, green lorikeet. The male has a red forehead, yellow nape, purple band back from eye between nape and cheek, and yellowish below. The female almost similar with red-marked green forecrown and yellowish green cheek.

An Indonesian endemic, the Iris Lorikeet is distributed in the forests and woodlands of Wetar island and western part of Timor in Lesser Sundas. It is found from sea level to altitude of 1,500m. The Iris Lorikeet is usually found in small flocks.

Due to ongoing habitat loss, limited range and illegal trapping for the caged-bird trade, the Iris Lorikeet is evaluated as Near Threatened on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES.

Taxonomy

There are three subspecies:
*T.i iris (Timor) -
*T.i. wetterensis (Wetar) - larger area of darker green on side of head.
*T.i. rubripileum (East Timor) - hindcrown also red, violet-blue band on hindneck.

Gallery

References

* Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is near threatened

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1355&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]
* [http://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=18638 IUCN Red List]