Musk lorikeet

Musk lorikeet

Scientific name: Glossopsitta concinna
Situation in the wild: Least concern
Jerusalem zoo: Individuals at the Lory Aviary
In the Bible: the Lory does not appear in the Bible
Lories and lorikeets are small to medium-sized arboreal parrots. The Musk lorikeet is one of the species here at the Lory Aviary at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo. The distribution area of the Musk lorikeet is South-Central and Eastern Australia, mainly in Eastern New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.The Musk Lorikeet is small, about 20 cm long. Its color is mainly green and it is identified by its red forehead, blue crown and a distinctive yellow band on its wing. The beak is red at the tip and darker near its base.
Here at the Jerusalem Zoo, the Lorikeet Aviary is one of the special places that emphasize the relationship between humans and animals. We all enjoy the time spent with animals. Some of them provide us with warmth and love and some with a sense of closeness and interest. There is no end to the joy that can be absorbed from observing their ways of life. The ecological biodiversity and abundance of habitats are an inspiration for our world and culture. The people who are involved in changing the earth for their own good have the responsibility of conservation and protection of animals.
The experiential encounter between man and the Lorries can only take place in a place like the Zoo. In order to attain closeness and direct connection with the parrots, we must respect, appreciate and take care of them. The visit in the Aviary connects the visitors to the animals by means of love and respect. We all hope that these experiences will promote actions of animal protection in the wild and preservation of their habitats, to ensure their future and wellbeing.

Lories and Lorikeets
Parrots are known for their vivid and varied coloring, and some of the most colorful Parrots are Lories and Lorikeets. These Parrots, also known as honeyeaters have numerous sub-species and can be found by their thousands throughout Australia and South Pacific Islands. There are small differences between Lories and Lorikeets, especially in comparing the tails of the species. In general, Lories are larger that Lorikeets and have shorter, rounder or square shaped tales. Lorikeets tend to be smaller with long, pointy tails. The colors of most Lori species are red with yellow parts, purple and green. Most Lorikeets are green with red and yellow parts. There are of course exceptions, and these birds can be found in many other colors.
Lories have a unique organ within the Parrot family: a brush-like tongue. Unlike most Parrots that feed on seeds and nuts, Lories feed on flowers, pollen and nectar. Because of their special diet, the crop and stomach are weaker compared to other Parrots. Their beak is adapted to crushing flowers, and their special brush-like tongue helps to lick and gather the nectar. The tongue can also collect pollen and compress them into small parcels that are easy to eat. These birds use their strong legs and claws to perform acrobatic stunts! They climb the tree branches and hang upside down in order to reach the flowers of the tree.In captivity they require a special diet that includes fruits and nectar substitutes and certain vegetables.
The habitat and distribution area of Lories is from Indonesia and the Philippines, through New Guinea and Australia to the Pacific Islands. They live in forested areas, mangroves and Eucalyptus groves. They are sociable birds and are generally fly in large noisy flocks in search of flowers and nectar, chirping with enthusiasm as they eat. Sometimes they fly in flocks of thousands covering the sky with their vibrant colors. Some species suchas the Rainbow lorikeet, are migratory birds that follow the flowering season of the Eucalyptus up and down the Australian coast.
Like many Parrots, Lories tend to live in pairs, but large flocks can form around food concentrations such as flowering trees, as long as it is not breeding season. Typically, they stay with one partner and may breed throughout the year, although in South Australia breeding season is between August and January. Nests are located high above the ground in tree hollows. They will line the nest with plant matter. The male and female nest together, but only the female incubates the two small eggs. However, the male will help feed the hatchlings, which hatch featherless with closed eyes. The hatchlings grow slowly and will fledge the nest after 7-8 weeks.
Although not all species of Lories are threatened with extinction, all have been affected by human intervention. Many kill them for feathers or capture them and sell them as pets, despite these activities being illegal in many countries. Also, the trees that these Parrots use for nesting and dwelling in are disappearing as a result of logging for the tree industry. Many species on the islands are threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction. The introduction of invasive species such as of rats threaten the Lories as they tend to bite them and eat their eggs and their young.

Lories and Lorikeets are beautiful and fascinating birds, but they have developed an appetite for agricultural crops such as grapes and coconut. They can quickly destroy entire crops and are treated as a nuisance by farmers. Consequently, farmers may poison or shoot these Parrots. But there is hope. Some farmers have been planting other flowering trees within their fields to provide these unique birds with an alternative source of food.
Another hope comes from the Zoos and environmental organizations. San Diego Zoo and the Ministry of Environment of French Polynesia are collaborating to preserve the three endemic species French Polynesia. In 2007, the San Diego Zoo helped remove a population of Kuhl's Lori from Rimatra in the Cook Islands to determine an additional nesting colony in order to prevent the species extinction.

Photo: Tamar Raviv