Forsten's Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus forsteni By Matt Schmit
There are twenty-two recognized subspecies of Trichoglossus haematodus, more subspecies than in any other parrot species. Ranging in color and size from the small green and yellow Weber's Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus weberi), to the larger, more robust, and brightly colored Swainson's Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus molluccanus), the Trichoglossus haematodus subspecies are commonly referred to as "Rainbow Lorikeets".
One of these subspecies, the Forsten's Lorikeet, is naturally found in the semi evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests and thorn scrubs of the island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. As a species, Trichoglossus haematodus is fairly common throughout most of its range. However, some individual subspecies are not as common as the others. T. h. forsteni is one of those subspecies, and its numbers have declined due to trapping. This species, like many other lory species, is listed on CITES II.
The Forsten's Lorikeet is a bit smaller than the nominate subspecies (Trichoglossus haematodus haematodus, Green-naped Lorikeet) at a length of 9 inches (23cm) and weighing about 95 grams. The head is dark brown with a dark blue forehead. The forehead and cheeks are streaked with a purple-blue. The breast is bright red with no barring as is seen in the Green-naped Lorikeet. The belly is purple as is the area right behind the yellow collar. The upper side of the bird is green. The underside of the tail is olive yellow and the legs and vent feathers are green and yellow. The beak is orange-red and the feet are gray.
In the wild, the Trichoglossus haematodus group feeds on a wide variety of foods. They are known to eat the pollen and nectar from over a dozen trees, including Eucalyptus, Grevillea, Schefflera and bottlebrush: the fruits of Ficus, papaya and mangoes; seeds of Cassia and Casuarina and insect pupae.
The Forsten's Lorikeet was very common in captivity until just recently. It seems that with the end of importation of wild caught birds, the numbers have declined and the Forsten's Lorikeet is now rare in aviculture. For this reason, it is very important that the individual subspecies of Trichoglossus haematodus are prevented from interbreeding.
As a hand-reared baby, Forsten's Lorikeets are a treat to keep. As a whole, the Trichoglossus haematodus group is very outgoing and boisterous. However, the Forsten's Lorikeet is a bit more shy and less vocal. We have also found them to be less nippy then the Green-naped Lorikeets once reaching sexual maturity.
References:
Collar, N.J. (1997). Family Psittacidae (Parrots). Pp. 280-477 in: del Hoyo, J., Elliot, A. & Sargatal, J. eds. (1997). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol 4. Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Lynx Edicions: Barcelona
Low, R. (1998). Hancock House Encyclopedia of the Lories. Hancock House: Blaine, WA
loriinae.com
