Blue Lorikeet

Taxobox
status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1
name = Blue Lorikeet


caption = need picture
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Psittaciformes
familia = Psittacidae
genus = "Vini"
species = "V. peruviana"
binomial = "Vini peruviana"
binomial_authority = (Müller, 1776)

The Blue Lorikeet, "Vini peruviana", is a lorikeet from French Polynesia and the Cook Islands. It is also known as the Tahiti Lorikieet, Tahitian Lory, Blue Lory, and the Indigo Lory. It was formerly found on 23 islands around Tahiti, but now restricted to perhaps eight islands: Motu, Manuae, Tikehau, Rangiroa, Aratua, Kaukura, Apataki, Aitutaki, and possibly Harvey Island and Manihi. It is a small (14cm) lory, all dark blue except for white throat, upper breast, and ear coverts and orange bill and exposed skin.

Blue Lorikeets depend on coconut palms for nesting and some of its food, and will frequent cultivated areas. They also roost in palm trees, rising at dawn and calling and preening before feeding. Gerischer B & Walther B (2003) "Behavioural observations of the blue lorikeet (Vini peruviana) on Rangiroa atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia" "Notornis" 50(1): 54-58 [http://www.notornis.org.nz/free_issues/Notornis_50-2003/Notornis_50_1_54.pdf] ] They are usually found in small flocks of less than ten birds. They are active birds, feeding on nectar, insects and ground forage.

They are endangered primarily by invasive species, including cats, rats, Swamp Harriers, and mosquitoes carrying avian malaria.

References

* Juniper & Parr (1998) "Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World"; ISBN 0-300-07453-0.

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1367&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet.]