Lorikeet (Blue Streaked)

The Blue-streaked Lori is also known as the Blue-necked Lori. It is a medium size parrot, primarily red with blue streaks from eye through ear coverts, brown-black tail, and black variegation on wing coverts.

Lorikeets have very specialized tongues for feeding on nectar. Tiny hair-like structures called 'papillae' line the end of the tongue in the shape of an "U". When a lorikeet extends its tongue during feeding, the papillae stand on end, like bristles on a brush, allowing nectar and pollen to be easily soaked up. Unique to lorikeets, this trait has earned them the nickname "brush-tongued parrots". 

Photographed at, Coral World, St Thomas USVI (2015)