Iris Lorikeets aka Wedge-tailed Lorikeets
- Lories as Pets or Aviary Birds
- Feeding & Housing Your Lories & Lorikeets
- Lories & Lorikeets in Aviculture
- Lory Photo Gallery
- Listing of Species
- Lory / Lorikeet Books
- Lory Food
- Lorikeet Health Care Program
Description
The Iris Lorikeet, Psitteuteles iris is a small, up to 20cm long, green lorikeet. The male has a red forehead, yellow nape, purple band back from eye between nape and cheek, and yellowish below. The female almost similar with red-marked green forecrown and yellowish green cheek.
An Indonesian endemic, the Iris Lorikeet is distributed in the forests and woodlands of Wetar island and western part of Timor in Lesser Sundas. It is found from sea level to altitude of 1,500m. The Iris Lorikeet is usually found in small flocks.
Due to ongoing habitat loss, limited range and illegal trapping for the caged-bird trade, the Iris Lorikeet is evaluated as Near Threatened on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES. (Wikipedia.org)
Lories in Captivity:
Lories are popular companion birds due to their intelligence, entertaining personality and stunning beauty. They are also quite easily bred, so there are readily available. Their expected lifespan is 28+ years. They reach maturity at 8 mos or later. Males and females look alike and breeders depend on DNA or endoscopic sexing to determine sex.
They are affectionate, curious, extroverted and clowny and exhibit some unique behaviors. Some like to wrap themselves up in a blanket for sleeping. At times, they can even be seen sleeping on their backs. They are capable of aggressive behavior if their territory and possessions are not respected. They are demanding in care requirements (especially diet preparations) and require a lot of attention. Daily baths or showers should be part of their grooming regimen.
They are trainable and, with a little patience and know-how, can be trained to eliminate in a certain area on cue. This webpage will provide you with instructions.
Their voice ranges from loud, piercing whistles and metallic "pings" to soft, high-pitched warbles and chattering.
Taxonomy:
Family: Psittacidae 
Sub-Family: Psittacinae Genus: Scientific: Psitteuteles ... English: Wedge-tailed Lorikeets ... Dutch: Wigstaartlori ... German: Keilschwanzloris ... French: Loriquet cale Species: Scientific: Psitteuteles iris iris aka Trichoglossus iris iris ... English: Iris Lorikeet ... Dutch: Irislori ... German: Irislori ... French: Loriquet iris Sub-Species: iris, rubripileum, wetterensis
Sub-species:
Ruby-capped Lorikeets: Family: Psittacidae Sub-Family: Psittacinae Genus: Scientific: Psitteuteles ... English: Wedge-tailed Lorikeets ... Dutch: Wigstaartlori ... German: Keilschwanzloris ... French: Loriquet cale Species: Scientific: Psitteuteles iris rubripileum aka Trichoglossus iris rubripileum ... English: Ruby-capped Lorikeet ... Dutch: Robijnkop Irislori ... German: Rubinkappen Irislori ... French: Loriquet à tête rouge CITES II - Endangered Species Distribution: Eastern Timor Related Web Resources: Lexicon of Parrots - Please scroll down to no. 3 for information and click on link to view photo
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with web visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the webmaster.
Photo contributions are welcome!
