Kuhl's Lorikeet
Vini kuhlii
Luminous, short-tailed parrot with a cherry-red throat and breast, green upperparts, and finely hooked orange bill. Also note the spiky feathers making up the green-and-blue crown. Endemic to the Polynesian Cook Islands, where it is native to Rimatara and introduced (or reintroduced) to others, including Atiu, where it occurred historically. Forages in a variety of wooded island habitats, including coconut plantations. Gives a variety of high-pitched calls, including a gratingly shrill and garbled screech.
Identification
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 average length is 19 centimetres (7.5 in) and the average weight is 55 grams (1.9 oz).
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Vini kuhlii
- Authority
- (Vigors, 1824)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittaculidae
- Genus
- Vini
Range and habitat
The Kuhl's 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. It was once present in the Cook Islands but is now restricted to islands of French Polynesia (Only found on the island of Rimatara) and has been introduced in Kiribati. It was reintroduced to Atiu, in the Cook Islands in 2007.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
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 Austral Islands of Southern French Polynesia. Like many island species, 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 Queen Tamaeva V of Rimatara around 1900. In 2007 a population was reintroduced to the black-rat-free island of Atiu in the Cook Islands by the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust and numerous conservation bodies, including the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. In 2008, the introduced population was found to be reproducing. In 2019, successful reproduction resulted in an estimated population of over 400 individuals on the island of Atiu.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
White-fronted Amazon
Amazona albifrons
Fairly small parrot of tropical lowlands. Found in semi-open areas with scattered trees, woodland, and forest patches, in both drier and more humid areas. Note the white forehead, red face, and yellowish bill. In flight, males shows a red patch on the leading edge of the wing (on bigger parrots, both sexes have a red patch on the trailing edge of the wing). Lacks the dark cheek patch of Yellow-lored Parrot.
Southern Yellowthroat
Geothlypis velata
Skulking warbler typically found in marshes, moist grassland, and edge of swampy forest. Male is quite distinctive with his black bandit mask and gray crown. Female can be confusing, but her yellow throat usually stands out against her olive upperparts and sides. Song is a rich up-and-down series of whistles. Calls include a descending series of chip notes and a short rasp. Pairs usually stay well hidden, but males sometimes sing from an exposed perch. This species is at least partially migratory. In the southern part of its range it is present only in the austral summer, when it breeds, then moves north in the winter. In some parts of its range it can be seen year-round. Formerly considered a subspecies of Masked Yellowthroat.
Black-throated Apalis
Apalis jacksoni
Attractive and boldly marked apalis. Shows a throat pattern of dark and white stripes. Males have a black mask and are more colorful overall. Their crown color varies geographically from gray to black. Females have mostly olive-green upperparts. Found primarily in montane forest, though locally in lower humid forest in West Africa. Pairs feed actively in the canopy and sometimes join mixed-species flocks. The song is a distinctive, ringing up-and-down series of “juu-jee” couplings. Separated from all similar species in its range by the yellow underparts.
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