The collared lory, scientifically known as Vini solitaria, belongs to the Psittaculidae family and is an indigenous parrot species found exclusively on the picturesque islands of Fiji. What makes this bird unique is its ability to adapt to urban settings, making it the only Fijian rainforest bird to thrive in urban areas like Suva. Sporting vibrant colors, the collared lory boasts bright red underparts and a face adorned with a purple crown, complemented by greenish upperparts. While both males and females share a similar plumage, the females feature a slightly lighter crown.
The adult birds measure approximately 20 cm (7.9 in) in length and display a slight difference in appearance based on their gender. The male birds possess vibrant crimson cheeks, throat, breast, and upper abdomen. Their crown appears as a deep shade of purple. Furthermore, the nape of their neck showcases a combination of lime green and red hues, with certain feathers on the nape being elongated. The wings, back, and tail feathers exhibit a greenish color. Additionally, the lower abdomen is adorned with a purple shade. The bill of these male birds is a yellow-orange color, their feet have a pink-orange hue, and their irises appear as a striking orange-red. On the other hand, the appearance of the female birds is quite similar to that of the males, but their crown appears paler with a touch of greenish tinge at the back. When it comes to the juveniles, their overall appearance is less vibrant, with faint purple stripes visible on their upper abdomen and breast. They possess a brown beak and pale brown irises.
Distribution and living environment:
The species thrives in subtropical or tropical damp lowland forests, serving as its natural habitat. Interestingly, it has managed to adapt to human settlements and can now be spotted in Suva. These resilient creatures are commonly found on the larger islands of Fiji, as well as the Lau Islands spanning from Lakeba to Oneata. Although they are currently only found in Fiji, ancient fossil records indicate that they once inhabited Tonga as well, before being wiped out by early human inhabitants.
Characteristics:
The collared lory is known for its swift, straight flight with rapid, shallow flapping of its wings. It is often spotted in pairs or small gatherings. When communicating, it emits a distinctive shrill cry, which is either a single or double high-pitched shriek.
Eating Habits:
The collared lory enjoys a varied diet comprising of fruits, seeds, nectar, and blossoms. It particularly favors trees like the drala (Erythrina variegata), the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), and the African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata), which although invasive, have become popular food sources for this lovely bird.
Aviculture is the practice of breeding and exhibiting birds in captivity. One bird species that gained popularity in London and Taronga Zoos in the 1940s was the collared lory. Although these birds became tame easily in captivity, keeping them alive was challenging at first. In fact, the Marquess of Tavistock (later known as the 12th Duke of Bedford) successfully bred this species in the UK in 1941, earning him a prestigious medal from the Foreign Bird League. While not as common in recent zoos, there are still a few places where you can find collared lories, such as Weltvogelpark Walsrode, ZooParc de Beauval, Loro Parque, San Diego Zoo, and Kula Eco Park.
