Blue Lorikeet
Vini peruviana
A unique and distinctive lorikeet, almost entirely a deep royal blue with a bright orange bill and feet and an extensive pure white throat, cheek, and chest patch. Inhabits any forest, but appears to favor coconut and banana plantations. Unique within its range. Common call is a trisyllabic “tse-tee-teet.”
识别特征
The blue lorikeet is 18 cm long with a short rounded tail. Its plumage is mainly dark blue and it has a white area over its upper chest, throat and lower face. Erectile feathers on the top of its head show light blue streaks. Its beak is orange and its irises are yellow-brown. It has orange legs. Adult males and females have identical external appearance. The juvenile lacks the white plumage of the adult and has a dark grey-blue face and lower parts. The juvenile also has a black bill, dark brown irises, and its legs are orange brown. Blue plumage, which is shares with the related ultramarine lorikeet, is very unusual in the parrot order.
分类信息
- 学名
- Vini peruviana
- 命名信息
- (Müller, PLS, 1776)
- 目
- Psittaciformes
- 科
- Psittaculidae
- 属
- Vini
分布与栖息地
The blue lorikeet was originally endemic to the islands of French Polynesia.<p>It is also present in the Cook Islands, where it is one of a small number of landbirds on the island of Aitutaki. Dean Amadon, writing in 1942 after the Whitney South Seas Expedition, thought that it might have been introduced to the Cooks. David Steadman, who studied the extinct species of the areas, wrote in 1991 that it might have been but that he could find no evidence of this. Had it been native there it would have coexisted with Kuhl's lorikeet; today no Vini lorikeets are sympatric. He later concluded that it was probably introduced, as extensive excavations of fossils had found remains of Kuhl's lorikeet as well as two other species of extinct Vini lorikeet, but no fossils of the blue lorikeet.<p>The blue lorikeet will live in any wooded habitat within its range, including cultivated areas. It is most abundant in mixed stands of coconuts and Heliotropium foertherianum.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
They roost in coconut palm trees, rising at dawn and calling and preening before feeding. They are usually found in small flocks of less than ten birds. They rest during the heat of the day in shade before resuming feeding in the afternoon. At dusk groups fly around calling until dark, when they retreat to spaces between palm leaves to roost for the night.<p>Blue lorikeets feed on the nectar and pollen of coconut palms (Cocos nucifera), Guettarda speciosa, Pemphis acidula, bay cedar (Suriana maritima), beach mulberry (Morinda citrifolia), Heliotropium foertherianum, Scaevola spp and Musa. On Rangiroa they fed mostly on coconut flowers during one three week study. They feed silently in small groups, and use their brush-like tongue to lap up nectar and pollen. Where flowers had not fully opened, they will use their bills to open them. After all the flowers on one tree have been fed at, they will move to the next tree, calling as they go. They also feed on insects among leaves and on the forest floor, and on leaf shoots and soft fruits.
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- declining
照片
分布
其他鸟类
Lowland Akalat
Sheppardia cyornithopsis
A small shy akalat found in the lower levels of tall forests, often in dark shady areas near water. Note the reddish-brown back and wings, the gray face, and the bright red-orange chest contrasting with a white belly. Almost always found in lowland forest, but a few local populations are found higher up in the foothills. Within its range, most likely to be confused with Forest Robin, but note Lowland Akalat’s plain gray face and distinctive vocalizations. Song is a series of clear, melancholy whistles given with slight pauses in between, “wheeer, gowheer,” as well as faster, more resonant and metallic series of whistles.
Andean Hillstar
Oreotrochilus estella
Small hummingbird of the high Andes; found in rocky and shrubby valleys, villages, and any open and semiopen areas with flowers. Often builds nest under eaves of buildings or bridges: a bulky cup of plant material and alpaca wool to insulate against cold nights. Fairly common. Readily identified in most of range by its extensively white tail. Male has an emerald green gorget and a rusty stripe on belly. Female is rather drab, but note slightly decurved bill, spotted throat, and tail pattern.
Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager
Dubusia taeniata
A relatively small and inconspicuous mountain-tanager found in the upper subtropical and temperate zones of the Andes. Blue above with a yellow belly and black head. Buffy breast band is not super conspicuous. Look for unique spangled blue eyebrow. Sexes alike. Found alone or in pairs, typically moving quietly through the understory of forest and edge. Often follows mixed-species flocks.
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