Coconut Lorikeet

Coconut lorikeets typically measure around 25–30 cm (10–12 in) in length and weigh around 109–137 g (3.8–4.8 oz), but much variation exists between subspecies. The bill is orange-red, and the head clear blue fading to brown at the neck. It has a more or less extensive yellow collar and green upperparts. The breast is red, in some subspecies with more or less pronounced blue-black barring, and the belly is usually yellowish-green but in some populations its it lighter yellowish or very dark and bluish. The tail is green above and barred in green and yellow below. The male's iris is bright red, while in the female it is orange-red, but the difference is slight and somewhat dependent on the bird's general health, and thus unreliable except for sexing mated pairs; otherwise the sexes look all alike. Young birds differ from adults by the lack of bright neck, breast, and belly coloration, and by being duller and smaller overall.

The species occupies a wide range of lowland and wooded hill habitats, including mangroves, rainforest, nypa forest, swamps, savanna and woodland. It also occupies human-modified areas including coconut plantations, gardens, agricultural land and disturbed forest. It is found from sea level up to as high as 2,440 m (8,010 ft); this upper altitude level varies by location. These lorikeets have on the tip of their specialized tongue a small brush, which is actually the tongue's extended papillae. With the help of the tongue, they are able to feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. They mainly feed on nectar and pollen, but they also eat other parts of the flowers, as well as seeds, fruits, berries, insects, and larvae. They usually make a huge noise during flight, emitting screeching calls (e.g. "peaow-peaow-peaow"), at regular intervals. Coconut lorikeets are monogamous birds, choosing only one partner for their whole life. They are diurnal birds living in very large bands. In the evening, they join their fellows in a dormitory tree. These birds may breed throughout most of year, depending on the region. Usually they breed in the spring, from July to December. They usually raise one brood a year, sometimes two. Nests are usually located in holes in decaying wood, such as hollows of eucalyptus trees, at a height of 25 metres (82 ft) above the ground. …