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
Psittaciformes
Family
Psittaculidae
Genus
Charminetta

Range and habitat

Migration
Nomadic

Behavior

Migration pattern: Nomadic.

Conservation

Population trend: stable.

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

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