Family Parrots (Psittacidae)

Least Concern

Varied Lorikeet (Psitteuteles versicolor)

figure, drawing, illustration of Varied Lorikeet (Psitteuteles versicolor)

Taxonomy

French: Loriquet versicolore German: Buntlori Spanish: Lori versicolor
Taxonomy:

Trichoglossus versicolor

Lear

, 1831,

Cape York, Queensland, Australia

.

Monotypic.

Distribution:

N Australia from Western Australia (Kimberley Division) E to NC Queensland (W Cape York Peninsula).

Descriptive notes

18–19 cm; 51–62 g. Bill orange-red; forehead to mid-crown red; bare orbital ring white; ear-coverts tufted yellow; rest of head bluish green with narrow yellow... read more

Voice

Commonest call a shrill “shreet!”, heard both in flight and when perched. Groups in flight utter... read more

Habitat

Wooded country, being especially attracted to paperbarks (Melaleuca) and eucalypts... read more

Food and feeding

Pollen and nectar from the flowers of bloodwoods Eucalyptus terminalis and E. polycarpa, also E. tetradonta and... read more

Breeding

Chiefly Apr–Aug, although recorded at all times of year. Nest in hollow limb or hole fairly high in tree. Eggs 2–5; in... read more

Movements

Visitor only to E coast of Cape York Peninsula, and elsewhere nomadic in response to availability... read more

Status and conservation

Not globally threatened. CITES II. Generally considered to be common in most habitats, but owing to nomadism it can disappear from some areas for long ­periods of time.

Recommended citation

Collar, N. & Boesman, P. (2018). Varied Lorikeet (Psitteuteles versicolor). 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/54446 on 14 December 2018).