Kuhl's lorikeet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kuhl's lorikeet |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Vini
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| Species: |
kuhlii
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| Synonyms | |
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Coriphilus kuhli (lapsus) |
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The Kuhl's lorikeet (scientific name: Vini kuhlii) is a small, colorful parrot. It is also known by other names like the Rimitara lorikeet or Kuhl's lory. In some local languages, it's called Manu 'Ura or Kura.
This bird is a type of lorikeet. It belongs to the Psittaculidae family, which includes many parrots. Kuhl's lorikeets are part of the Vini group. These birds live on islands across the South Pacific. The bird was named in 1824 by Nicholas Aylward Vigors. He named it after Heinrich Kuhl, a German bird expert.
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What Kuhl's Lorikeets Look Like
Kuhl's lorikeets are very fast flyers. They have bright, colorful plumage (feathers). Their backs, wings, and the top of their heads (their crown) are green.
They have blue feathers on the back of their neck (their nape) and on their legs. Their undersides and cheeks are a bright red color. These birds are about 19 centimetres (7.5 in) (about 7.5 inches) long. They usually weigh around 55 grams (1.9 oz) (about 2 ounces).
Where Kuhl's Lorikeets Live
Kuhl's lorikeets live in natural tropical moist lowland forests. They also live in plantations, especially coconut plantations. Like all Vini lorikeets, they are nectarivores. This means they mostly eat nectar from flowers. They have a special brush-like tongue to help them collect nectar.
If native forests are gone, these birds can live only in coconut plantations. Kuhl's lorikeets used to live in the Cook Islands. Now, they are mostly found on islands in French Polynesia. The only natural population is on the island of Rimatara. They have also been introduced to Kiribati. In 2007, some were brought back to Atiu in the Cook Islands.
Dangers Kuhl's Lorikeets Face
Kuhl's lorikeets face several threats that make it hard for them to survive. In the Cook Islands, people used to hunt them for their beautiful red feathers. They are also sometimes caught and sold in the international bird trade.
Black rats are another big problem. These rats were brought to the islands by Europeans. They are now predators that hunt the lorikeet's eggs and young birds. The lorikeets also have to compete for food and nesting spots. Another bird, the common myna, can disturb their nests.
Helping Kuhl's Lorikeets Survive
Scientists have studied fossils of Kuhl's lorikeets. These fossils show that the birds once lived across a much larger area. Their range shrank a lot after humans arrived on the islands. For a long time, the only natural group left was on Rimatara. This island is in the Austral Islands of Southern French Polynesia.
Like many island animals, Kuhl's lorikeets are threatened by introduced animals like black rats. Their colorful feathers also made them a target for hunting. However, the last native population on Rimatara was protected. Queen Tamaeva V of Rimatara put a tapu or taboo on hunting them around 1900. This helped save them.
In 2007, a group of Kuhl's lorikeets was moved to Atiu island in the Cook Islands. Atiu is an island that does not have black rats. This reintroduction was done by the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust and other groups, including the San Diego Zoo. By 2008, the birds on Atiu were reproducing. In 2019, the population on Atiu grew to over 400 birds. This shows that conservation efforts can be successful.
