Coconut Lorikeet

The Coconut Lorikeet, also known as the Green-naped Lorikeet, is a vibrant member of the parrot family Psittaculidae. This species, with its rainbow of colors, measures between 25 to 30 centimeters in length and tips the scales at approximately 109 to 137 grams. The male is distinguished by a bright red iris, while the female's is orange-red. A striking feature is the orange-red bill, complemented by a dark blue head that transitions to brown at the neck, a yellow collar, and green upperparts. The breast is adorned with red and blue-black barring, and the belly showcases green with yellow barring. The tail presents a green top with a pattern of green and yellow below.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Coconut Lorikeet, look for the red breast with blue-black barring and the yellow-barred green belly. The head is dark blue, fading to brown towards the neck, and the bill is a notable orange-red. The male's bright red iris and the female's orange-red iris are also key identification markers.

Habitat

The Coconut Lorikeet thrives in a variety of lowland and wooded hill habitats, including mangroves, rainforests, nypa forests, swamps, savannas, and woodlands. It is also comfortable in human-altered landscapes such as coconut plantations, gardens, agricultural lands, and disturbed forests.

Distribution

This species is native to eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. It can be found from sea level to altitudes as high as 2,440 meters, though this upper limit varies by location.

Behaviour

Coconut Lorikeets are diurnal and monogamous, forming large bands and roosting communally in dormitory trees at dusk. They are known for their loud, screeching calls during flight, which include a distinctive “peaow-peaow-peaow” sound.

Song & Calls

The Coconut Lorikeet's vocal repertoire is characterized by loud and screeching calls, particularly noticeable during flight. These calls serve as a means of communication within their large flocks.

Breeding

These lorikeets are monogamous, pairing for life. They typically breed in the spring, from July to December, and may raise one or sometimes two broods per year. Nesting occurs in hollows of decaying wood, often high in eucalyptus trees. The female lays two matte white, round eggs and incubates them for 23 to 25 days. Both parents feed the chicks for 7 to 8 weeks, after which the young leave the nest and become fully independent within 2 to 3 weeks.

Similar Species

The Coconut Lorikeet was once considered part of a broader species known as the Rainbow Lorikeet. However, it is now recognized as distinct from its close relatives, which include the Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), Sunset Lorikeet (T. forsteni), Leaf Lorikeet (T. weberi), Marigold Lorikeet (T. capistratus), Red-collared Lorikeet (T. rubritorquis), and Biak Lorikeet (T. rosenbergii).

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Coconut Lorikeet primarily consists of nectar and pollen, which they extract with their specialized brush-tipped tongues. They also consume other parts of flowers, seeds, fruits, berries, insects, and larvae.

Conservation status

The Coconut Lorikeet is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of widespread decline.