Pygmy Lorikeet
Charminetta wilhelminae
A tiny, green lorikeet of foothill and montane forest and edge. Uniform green plumage, light streaking on the chest and slightly elongated pointy tail. Rusty crown blending to pale blue then to yellow on the back of the neck. Male has red rump and underwing. Moves in pairs or small flocks but congregates at flowering trees including with other species. Miniscule size and short pointy tail separate it from other similar species. Call, a quiet, high-pitch “tsik!” or double “tsik-tsik!”
Identification
The pygmy lorikeet averages 13 cm (5.1 in) in length (including tail) and 20 g (0.71 oz) in mass. It is the smallest of the lorikeets. The male has a dark purple rump and a streaked yellow breast, with red stripes under its wings. His tail is green tipped with yellow, and his eyes and beak are orange. The female lacks the red underwing stripe of the male, and has a green (rather than purple) rump. Immature birds are similar to adults in appearance but lack yellow streaking on their breasts and have brown bills and eyes.
Taxonomy
The pygmy lorikeet was previously placed in the genus Charmosyna. It was moved to its own genus Charminetta based on phylogenetic studies published in 2020.
- Scientific name
- Charminetta wilhelminae
- Authority
- (Meyer, AB, 1874)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Charminetta
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Nomadic movement
Behavior
They have high pitched, coarse, relatively weak flight calls. Pairs make quiet contact calls.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
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