Purple-bellied Lory
Lorius hypoinochrous
A thick-set, short-tailed parrot with green wings, a red body, a black cap, and a deep purple belly. Widespread in natural habitats, but apparently favors coconut plantations. Purple belly separates this species from the very similar White-naped Lory, especially in flight. The similar Black-capped Lory has a large black neck patch and darker purplish black underside. Purple-bellied’s most common call is a harsh nasal “eee-arrr,” unlike the sweet whistle of White-naped Lory.
Identification
The purple-bellied lory is 26 cm (10 in) long. It is mostly red with black on top of head, green wings, and purple underparts. Its thighs are purple and its legs are dark grey. Its tail is red with dark green-blue at the tip. Its cere is white. The eyerings are grey and the irises are orange-red. The three subspecies differ with slightly different plumage colours.
Taxonomy
The species contains three subspecies:
- Scientific name
- Lorius hypoinochrous
- Authority
- Gray, GR, 1859
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittaculidae
- Genus
- Lorius
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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African Houbara
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Rich chestnut-brown babbler with a bright white throat and chest. Inhabits dry scrubby areas, often fairly close to human habitation. Like other babblers, fairly social, gathering in small bands; birds often give a fairly high-pitched rolling chatter as they forage together.
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