Rainbow Lory

The Rainbow Lory, more formally the Coconut Lorikeet, is a brightly colored parrot native to Indonesia's Maluku Islands, New Guinea, and nearby southwest Pacific islands. Until a 2014 taxonomic revision it was considered the same species as Australia's Rainbow Lorikeet, and the two remain very similar in appearance.

Appearance

Plumage shows the same rainbow pattern as its Australian relative: a blue head, green upperparts, and an orange-red breast band marked with dark barring, though the exact intensity and extent of color varies considerably among the many island subspecies across its range.

Key field marks

• Blue head contrasting with green back and wings
• Orange-red breast band with dark barring, variable in intensity by subspecies
• Red bill
• Range restricted to Indonesia, New Guinea, and nearby Pacific islands

Similar species

The Rainbow Lory is essentially indistinguishable in the field from the Australian Rainbow Lorikeet except by range, since the two were only recently split. Within its own range it can be told from other lorikeets by the combination of blue head and orange-red breast; some island populations show duller or darker breast coloration than others.

Range

The Rainbow Lory occurs across Wallacea, including the Maluku Islands, throughout New Guinea, and on a number of southwest Pacific islands, with numerous recognized subspecies varying by island group.

Habitat

It favors lowland forest, forest edge, coconut plantations, mangroves, and gardens, generally staying below mid-elevation in hilly terrain.

Migration

Generally sedentary, though local movements occur in response to the flowering and fruiting of food trees.

Behavior

Like its Australian relative, the Rainbow Lory is gregarious, forming noisy flocks at flowering and fruiting trees and gathering at communal roosts.

Voice

Calls are sharp, chattering screeches similar to those of the Rainbow Lorikeet, given in flight and while feeding.

Feeding

It feeds mainly on nectar and pollen using a brush-tipped tongue adapted for extracting liquid from flowers, supplemented with fruit and blossoms.

Nesting and breeding

Nests are placed in tree hollows, with small clutches incubated by the female while the male assists in feeding.