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Blue Lorikeet




  Status VU
  Name Blue Lorikeet
  Caption need picture
  Regnum Animal ia
  Phylum Chordata
  Classis Aves
  Ordo Psittaciformes
  Familia Psittacidae
  Genus '' Vini ''
  Species '''''V peruviana'''''
  Binomial ''Vini peruviana''
  Binomial Authority ( Müller , 1776)


The Blue Lorikeet, ''Vini peruviana'', is a Lorikeet from French Polynesia and the Cook Islands . It is also known as the '''Tahiti Lorikieet'''.Other names include the Blue Lory and the Indigo Lory It was formerly found on 23 islands around Tahiti , but now restricted to perhaps eight islands (Motu, Manuae, Tikehau, Rangiroa, Aratua, Kaukura, Apataki, Aitutaki, and possibly Harvey Island and Manihi). It is a small (14cm) lory, all dark blue except for white throat, upper breast, and ear coverts and orange bill and exposed skin.

Blue Lorikeets depend on coconut palms for nesting and some of its food, and will frequent cultivated areas. They also roost in palm trees, rising at dawn and calling and preening before feeding. Gerischer B & Walther B (2003) "Behavioural observations of the blue lorikeet (Vini peruviana) on Rangiroa atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia" ''Notornis'' 50(1): 54-58 {Link without Title} They are usually found in small flocks (< 10). They are active birds, feeding on nectar, insects and ground forage.

They are endangered primarily by Invasive Species , including cats, rats, Swamp Harrier s, and mosquitoes carrying avian malaria.


REFERENCE


Juniper & Parr (1998) ''Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World''; ISBN 0-300-07453-0.