Dusky Lory

Unknown Friday, October 5, 2012
Description:
General plumage dark olive-brown; crown dull yellow; nape and breast with dull yellow edging; band across throat yellow to orange-red and in some individuals also second band across breast; abdomen and thighs yellow to orange-red; under tail-coverts bluish-purple; back and lower back yellowish-white; under wing-coverts olive-yellow; two orange-yellow stripes on underside of flight feathers; tail dull olive-yellow tinged with orange; periophthalmic ring dark grey; bare skin area to lower mandible orange-yellow; iris orange-red; feet dark grey; bill orange.

Female as male, but possibly with silvery-white lower back.

Immature with duller plumage and off-white rump; bill dark; iris yellowish-grey.

Length: 25 cm (10 ins)

Note: species has three phases (red, orange and yellow) depending on age, gender and origin of bird.

Distribution: New Guinea, Salawati and Japan Islands.

Habitat: forest, tall secondary vegetation and open woodland in mountains to 2,400 m (8,000 ft); occasionally visits Savannah with trees, coconut palm and teak plantations.

Status: common in localities, occasionally numerous.

Habits: Nomadic in small groups and large flocks of more than 100 birds outside breeding season; depends on occurrence of flowering trees or other food sources; sometimes forms mixed flocks with Rainbow Lories (Trichoglossus haematodus) and other species in feeding trees; mostly observed in early morning or late afternoon flying over forest; conspicuous because of loud screeching and great flying height; long flights between feeding places and roosting trees; occasional gatherings of several thousand birds on roosting trees; climbs agilely and rapidly around in branches; playful, quarrelsome and noisy in group; flight straight and rapid; when approaching roosting trees often makes acrobatic flight manoevres accompanied by short, shrill calls.

Natural diet: vegetable matter, nectar, flowers and fruits.

Breeding behavior  breeding season from July; length unknown; nests in very tall trees; egg measures 27.8 x 24.1 mm (1.09 x 0.95 ins).

Aviculture: Noisy, lively parrot; initially shy, later more confiding; usually remains reserved; mostly aggressive towards other lory species; acclimatization at least two years; thereafter fairly hardy; enjoys bathing; not hard chewer, but should still be provided with regular supply of fruit tree branches; easily alarmed by strangers, then screeches or hides; aviary must be cleaned more often than with other lory species as species is very messy. 

Accommodation: Inside area 2 x 1 x 2 m (6 x 3 x 6 ft) with adjoining outside flight 3 x 1 x 2 m (9 x 3 x 6 ft); minimum temperature in winter 5°C (41°F); during acclimatization not less than 20°C (68°F); provide roosting box with thick layer of removable material; must be cleaned out every two weeks.

Diet: lory feed of fruits, pollen, brewer's yeast, multi-grain flakes, dextrose and low fat yogurt  softened rusk or biscuit; small quantity of sprouted seed; various fruit and vegetables; fresh branches with buds and flowers; sprinkle vitamin and mineral supplements regularly on lory feed. 

Breeding in aviculture: often achieved; breeding begins mainly in April; clutch usually two eggs, occasionally three; incubation 26 days; fledgling period 8 to 10 weeks; young fed by adults for further three weeks; nest box 23 x 23 x 35 cm (9 x 9 x 14 ins); isolate pairs for breeding as extremely aggressive.

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