Family Parrots (Psittacidae)

Least Concern

Red-flanked Lorikeet (Charmosyna placentis)

figure, drawing, illustration of Red-flanked Lorikeet (Charmosyna placentis)

Taxonomy

French: Lori coquet German: Schönlori Spanish: Lori flanquirrojo
Taxonomy:

Psittacus placentis

Temminck

, 1835,

Utanata River, New Guinea

.

Proposed race occidentalis (from Ambelau I, off SE Buru) included in nominate. Five subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution
  • C. p. intensior (Kinnear, 1928) – N Moluccas (from Morotai S to Obi), and Gebe (in W Papuan Is).
  • C. p. placentis (Temminck, 1835) – S Moluccas (from Ambelau and Seram to Kai Is), Aru Is, and through S New Guinea to W Gulf of Papua.
  • C. p. ornata Mayr, 1940 – W Papuan Is (except Gebe) and NW New Guinea.
  • C. p. subplacens (P. L. Sclater, 1876) – E & SE New Guinea in lowlands E from Sepik R and, in S, from E Gulf of Papua.
  • C. p. pallidior (Rothschild & E. J. O. Hartert, 1905) – Bismarck Archipelago and islands of Nuguria and Nissan to Bougainville; also Woodlark I, off SE New Guinea.

    • Descriptive notes

    15–17 cm; 25–48 g. Generally green, yellowish on forecrown; facial patch red, ear-coverts blue, sides of breast, flanks and underwing-coverts red, with yellow... read more

    Voice

    Calls include a sharp “kssit”, a high-pitched “tss”, more subdued raspy notes and combinations... read more

    Habitat

    Forest, especially mangroves; also savanna woodland, tall secondary growth, coastal Casuarina... read more

    Food and feeding

    Apparently mainly or exclusively flowers and their nectar and pollen, including Erythrina indica, Schefflera, ... read more

    Breeding

    Jun–Nov, possibly much more extended, with birds seen at nest cavities in Feb and Apr. Nest in hole excavated by birds usually in... read more

    Movements

    Observations on Halmahera suggest birds apparently travelling long distances in search of flowers. read more

    Status and conservation

    Not globally threatened. CITES II. Generally common, and sometimes abundant e.g. in Bismarck Archipelago. Not a popular target of traders, mainly because most of the birds... read more

    Recommended citation

    Collar, N. & Boesman, P. (2019). Red-flanked Lorikeet (Charmosyna placentis). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/54471 on 24 February 2019).