Iris lorikeet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iris lorikeet |
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| At San Diego Zoo | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Saudareos
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| Species: |
iris
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| Synonyms | |
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Psitteuteles iris |
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The iris lorikeet (Saudareos iris) is a small, colorful bird. It is a type of lorikeet. These birds are known for their bright feathers. The iris lorikeet grows to about 20 centimeters (8 inches) long. It is mostly green. Male birds have a red forehead and a yellow neck. They also have a purple band behind their eyes. Female birds look very similar. Their red forehead might be a bit lighter.
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Where Iris Lorikeets Live
These lorikeets live in forests and woodlands. You can find them on the islands of Wetar and Timor. These islands are part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. They live from sea level up to 1,500 meters (about 4,900 feet) high. Iris lorikeets usually fly in small groups.
Why Iris Lorikeets Need Our Help
The iris lorikeet is considered Near Threatened. This means it might become endangered soon. There are a few reasons for this. Their homes are being lost as forests are cut down. Their living area is also quite small. People also illegally catch these birds to sell them as pets.
To help protect them, the iris lorikeet is listed on Appendix II of CITES. CITES is an international agreement. It helps control the trade of wild animals and plants. This listing means that trading these birds is carefully watched. It helps make sure they are not over-hunted.
Understanding Iris Lorikeet Types
Scientists used to place the iris lorikeet in a different group of birds. This group was called Psitteuteles. However, new studies in 2020 looked at the birds' genes. These studies showed that the iris lorikeet belongs in a new group. This new group is called Saudareos.
There are also a few slightly different kinds of iris lorikeets. These are called subspecies. They look very similar but have small differences.
- S. i. iris: This subspecies lives in West Timor.
- S. i. wetterensis: This one lives on the island of Wetar. It has a larger area of darker green feathers on the side of its head.
- S. i. rubripileum: This subspecies is found in East Timor. It has red feathers on the back of its head too. It also has a violet-blue band on the back of its neck.
What Iris Lorikeets Look Like
The iris lorikeet is about 20 centimeters (8 inches) long. Most of its body is green. It has pale-green stripes across its belly. The top of its head, above the eyes, is red. There is also a purple band that goes from its eyes over its ears.
Their beak is a bright red-orange color. Their eyes are orange, and their legs are bluish-grey. Male and female iris lorikeets look almost the same. However, the red on the female's head is usually lighter. It also covers a smaller area.
Young iris lorikeets, called juveniles, look like the females. But their beak is brownish. Their eyes are brown, and their purple bands are not as bright. They also have less red on their heads. The exact shade and amount of red and purple on their heads can be different. This depends on which subspecies the bird belongs to.
