Lorikeet (Green-naped)

The Green Naped Lorikeet is one of the most common of the 21 subspecies of the Rainbow Lorikeets. In the same family as parrots, their colorful plumage, acrobatic maneuvers, and wide range of vocalizations combine to make them one of the best known of the Rainbow Lorikeets.
The feet of these birds have two forward and two backward facing toes. These combined with their strong bills enable them to be excellent climbers, hang up-side-down, and in general imitate Olympic gymnasts, especially when feeding.

They do not have oil glands but instead use preen using powder down. Special down feathers with tips that constantly break down form a waxy powder that the birds spread through their plumage during preening.

The Green-Naped Lorikeet was the first lorikeet bred in captivity. This achievement led to captive breeding programs eliminating the need to collect these birds from the wild.

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

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)

Birds of St. Thomas USVI

We are visiting Coral World Ocean Park
to take pictures at the Lorikeet Garden

 

 

More to come soon !