Rimatara Lorikeet

Taxobox
name = Rimatara Lorikeet


status = EN | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Psittaciformes
familia = Psittacidae
genus = "Vini"
species = "V. kuhlii"
binomial = "Vini kuhlii"
binomial_authority = (Vigors, 1824)
synonyms = "Coriphilus kuhli" ("lapsus")
"Coriphilus kuhlii"

The Rimatara Lorikeet, Rimitara Lorikeet, Kuhl's Lorikeet, Kuhl's Lory, or Kura ("Vini kuhlii") is a species of lorikeet in the Psittacidae family. It is one of several species of "Vini" lorikeets found in islands ranging across the South Pacific. It is a fast flying lorikeet with vibrant plumage; a green back, wings and crown, a blue nape and legs and bright red undersides and cheeks.

The Rimatara Lorikeet's habitat is natural tropical moist lowland forests and plantations. Like all "Vini" lorikeets it is a nectarivore, and has a brushy tongue to acquire the nectar. In islands denuded of native forests and covered with extensive coconut plantations it is found exclusively in those areas.

Studies of fossils have shown that it once had a widespread distribution from the Cook Islands to French Polynesia. Its range contracted greatly after the arrival of humans, until the only surviving natural population was on Rimatara in the Tubuai Islands. Like many island species the Kuhl's Lorikeet is threatened by introduced black rats. Its colourful feathers have also meant that the species was regularly hunted. The species was also introduced to several islands in Kiribati. The last native population was protected by a "tapu" or taboo by the Queen of Rimatara around 1900. In 2007 a population was reintroduced to the black-rat-free island of Atiu in the Cook Islands by Birdlife International, the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust and numerous conservation bodies. In 2008, the introduced population was found to be reproducing.

References

* BirdLife International 2004. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/22981/all Vini kuhlii] . [http://www.iucnredlist.org 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. ] Downloaded on 24 July 2007.
* Birdlife International 2007. [http://www.birdlife.org/news/pr/2007/09/rimatra_lorikeet.html Saved by one Queen and brought home by another: Rimatara Lorikeet returns to the Cook Islands] Downloaded on 27 September 2007
* McCormack, G. (2008). "The Rimatara Lorikeet or "Kura" in Atiu (Cook Islands): First Annual Report". [http://www.atiu.info/files/site/Rimatara-Lorikeet_1st-Annual-Report.pdf pdf] .
*Steadman D. (2006). "Extinction and Biogeography in Tropical Pacific Birds", University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-77142-7

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebas/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1365&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet.]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/sci_nat_enl_1190895748/html/1.stm Photograph of a Rimatara Lorikeet]