Purple-crowned Lorikeets
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The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is distributed from eastern Victoria to the south of Western Australia. It is found in lightly wooded habitat such as mallee scrub as well as eucalypt woodland and coastal scrub
Scientific name: Glossopsitta porphyrocephala
Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable
Description
The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is a very small lorikeet, approx. 16 cm in lenght, with a purple crown, apricot orange forehead and ear-coverts and a black bill. Upper parts are bright green, with a wash of bronze across the nape and mantle, while underparts are greenish-yellow with a pale blue belly. There is a small patch of bright blue at the bend of wing, with underwing coverts bright red, and obvious in flight.
They are more often heard than seen, calling often in flight. The call is a high-pitched slightly metallic ‘tziet, tziet'.;
In captivity, these lories are usually not shy. This lory has a tendency to obesity especially when kept in a small cage. This lory enjoys bathing and being sprayed. A colony system with other small birds possible. Large aviaries can also be planted as chewing requirement not very great.
In Aviculture, this active lory was found to be very susceptible; often dying without discernible cause. Very strict hygiene necessary; minimum temperature during acclimatisation not less than 24°C (75°F).
Location and Habitat
Distribution
The Purple-crowned Lorikeet occurs across the southern parts of the continent from Victoria to south-west Western Australia. It is uncommon in NSW, being most often seen in the Grey Box and White Box woodlands in the Riverina region, and occasionally along the Murray Valley. There are occasional sightings of the species in box-ironbark habitats across the south-west slopes of NSW. The species is nomadic, with the pattern of distribution varying from year to year according to flowering conditions.
- Found in open forests and woodlands, particularly where there are large flowering eucalypts. Also a mallee specialist.
- Feed primarily on nectar and pollen of flowering Eucalypts.
- May raid orchards at times to feed on ripe fruit.
- Breed where there is a good supply of nectar and tree hollows.
Copyright Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW)
Taxonomy:
Family: Loriidae 
Scientific: Glossopsitta porphyrocephala ... Species: Purple-crowned Lorikeet ... German: Blauscheitellori ... Spanish: Lori Coronipúrpura ... French: Lori à couronne pourpre ... Italian:
Lorichetto corona viola ... Japanese: murasakigashirajakouinko / ムラサキガシラジャコウインコ
CITES II - Endangered Species ...Distribution: South-western & South-eastern Australia, exluding Tasmania
Related Web Resources: Lexicon of Parrots
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