Goldie's lorikeet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goldie's lorikeet |
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| At Newport Aquarium, Kentucky, USA. | |
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| Genus: |
Glossoptilus
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| Species: |
goldiei
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The Goldie's lorikeet (scientific name: Glossoptilus goldiei) is a colorful type of parrot. It belongs to the Psittaculidae family, which includes many parrots. This bird is the only species in its group, called Glossoptilus.
You can find it in the forests of New Guinea. It lives high up in the mountains, usually between 1000 and 2200 meters (about 3,300 to 7,200 feet). Goldie's lorikeet is mostly green. It has yellow streaks on its chest. Its head is a mix of red, blue, and purple. This small bird is about 19 centimeters (7.5 inches) long. It weighs around 45 to 60 grams, which is like a small candy bar.
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How Goldie's Lorikeet Got Its Name
Every animal has a scientific name. The Goldie's lorikeet was first officially described in 1882. An English bird expert named Richard Bowdler Sharpe did this. He studied a bird that Andrew Goldie (1840–1891) had found in New Guinea.
Sharpe named the bird Trichoglossus goldiei to honor Andrew Goldie. Later, in 2020, scientists studied lorikeets more closely. They decided that Goldie's lorikeet was special enough to have its own group. So, it was moved into a new group called Glossoptilus. This group name was first suggested in 1896 by Walter Rothschild and Ernst Hartert.
What Goldie's Lorikeets Look Like
Goldie's lorikeets are about 19 centimeters (7.5 inches) long. They are mostly green. Their belly is yellow-green with dark green stripes.
Their head is very colorful. The top of their head is red. Female birds have less red on their heads than males. The back of their head is blue. Their cheeks are mostly purple and blue. They have a black beak and brown eyes. Their legs are greenish-brown.
Young Goldie's lorikeets look a bit different. They have only a small red spot above their beak. Their beak is brown, and the top of their head is green. The back of their head is grayish-blue.
Where Goldie's Lorikeets Live
Goldie's lorikeets are native to the high mountain areas of New Guinea. They prefer to live in forests and woodlands.
Goldie's Lorikeets as Pets
Many people enjoy keeping Goldie's lorikeets as pets. They are known for being quiet birds. They are also not destructive, meaning they don't usually chew up things.
These birds are not aggressive, so they can live alone or with other birds. Some Goldie's lorikeets have even learned to copy human voices!
Images for kids
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Psitteuteles goldiei – MHNT
