Iris lorikeet

Psitteuteles iris

Photo by Johannes Pfleiderer (Internet Bird Colection)

Common name:
iris lorikeet (en); piriquito-de-Timor (pt); loriquet iris (fr); lori iris (es); irislori (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Psittaciformes
Family Psittacidae

Range:
These birds are only found in the islands of Timor and Wetar, both in Indonesia and in East Timor.

Size:
The iris lorikeet is 20-22 cm long and weigh 65-75 g.

Habitat:
They are in monsoon forests, Eucalyptus woodlands and savannas, plantations and agricultural land with flowering trees. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 1.500 m.

Diet:
Iris lorikeets feed on flowering trees, eating the nectar of flowers such as Sesbania sp.

Breeding:
These birds breed in tree cavities. The female lays 2 white eggs, which are incubated for about 23 days. The chicks fledge 8-10 weeks after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
The iris lorikeet has a relatively small breeding range and a global population estimated at 6.600-6.700 individuals. There is no information regarding population trends, but the species is suspected to be in decline owing to trapping for the bird trade and habitat degradation.