Red lory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red lory |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| At Taronga Zoo, Sydney, Australia | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eos
|
| Species: |
bornea
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The red lory (Eos bornea) is a bright red parrot. It belongs to the Psittaculidae family. This bird is very popular as a pet. In fact, it's the second most common lory kept by people, right after the rainbow lorikeet.
Contents
What is a Red Lory?
The name "lory" comes from the Malay word lūri. This word describes many colorful parrots. An English naturalist named Eleazar Albin first used a similar spelling, "laurey," in 1731. Later, in 1751, George Edwards used "lory" for parrots from the East Indies.
There are two main types, or subspecies, of red lories:
- E. b. cyanonotha – found on Buru Island.
- E. b. bornea – found in the southern Maluku Islands and Kai Islands.
It's interesting to know that the name bornea comes from Borneo. However, these birds do not actually live on Borneo Island!
What Do Red Lories Look Like?
Red lories are about 31 centimeters (12 inches) long. They can weigh between 30 and 300 grams. Most of their body is a bright red color. They have some red, blue, and black marks on their back and wings. Their tail is reddish-brown, and the feathers under their tail are blue.
Their beak is orange, and their legs are grey. Most red lories have red eyes. Young lories look a bit duller. They have brown eyes and a brownish beak.
A special thing about lories is their brush-like tongues. These tongues have tiny bumps called papillae at the tips. This helps them eat pollen and nectar from flowers. Their beaks are not as strong as other parrots. Their stomachs are also thin and weak, which is good for their liquid diet.
Where Do Red Lories Live?
Red lories live in Indonesia. They are found in the Moluccas and nearby islands. Their natural homes are tropical lowland forests and tropical mangrove forests. These birds were also brought to Taiwan.
Can Red Lories Be Pets?
Red lories are very smart birds. They have a fun and playful personality. People often describe them as showy and active. They can be very loving and curious pets. Some lories even do funny things, like wrapping themselves in a cloth to sleep!
If you have a red lory as a pet, they need lots of attention and care. They love toys like ropes, bells, and swings. They also need things to chew on. It's good to give them baths often in a bird bath or shower.
Young lories need to meet new people and see new things. This helps them get used to different cages, toys, and vet visits. It's best for them to live in large spaces. If they are in cages, the cages must be cleaned often. Red lories can live alone or with other birds. But if they are with other birds, you need to watch them closely to make sure they get along.
What Do Red Lories Eat?
In the wild, red lories mostly eat nectar and pollen from flowers. They also eat fruits and sometimes insects.
As pets, they should eat a special diet. Smaller lories need fresh nectar every day. You can buy commercial nectar or make it at home. Larger lories can eat special bird pellets. They also enjoy fruits and vegetables. Some good choices are apples, pomegranates, papaya, grapes, pineapple, figs, kiwi, and corn-on-the-cob. Always give them fresh, clean water every day.
Images for kids
-
-
-
At Jurong BirdPark, Singapore
_Jurong_Bird_Park2-3c.jpg)
