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Kuhl's Lorikeet
Vini kuhlii

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Kuhl's Lorikeet

Content

Description

18 cm.. long and an approximate weight of 55 g..

Males and females of the Kuhl's Lorikeet (Vini kuhlii) they are identical in appearance. Adult birds have cheeks, the chest and the part forward of the belly bright red.

The upperparts the body has different shades of green with the exception of a few Feather erection of color blue dark in the neck.

Its tail is multicolored, the Central feathers are red and purple sides, with the Green terminal part.
A zone blue-violet in the belly around the the thighs. The bill and legs are orange, the tail is short.

The birds youth they have the underparts opaque red.

Habitat:

The natural habitat of the Kuhl's Lorikeet are the tropical humid forests. On the Islands desforestadas also is in coconut plantations. It is a nectarivorous that feeds sucking nectar with his rough tongue.

Reproduction:

Observed in the month of March, April and August.
Nest in the trunks of coconut trees or FARA (Pandanus tectorius) dead or in cavities of hotu. Sometimes one or two rectangular holes mark the entrance of these nests. Only a litter has been found with two chicks.

Food:

Nectar and pollen from banana flowers (Musa sp.), Kapok (Ceiba pentandra), pacayers (Inga edulis), Mango (Mangifera indica), avocado (It persea americana), the coconut (Cocoa nuts), the Cordyline (fructicosa Cordyline) , the NASE (Barringtonia asiatica), the tafano (Guettarda speciosa), the Pomeroy (Syzygium jambos) and ATAE (Erythrina variegata).

The small seeds of purau (Hibiscus tiliaceus) and Aito (Casuarina equisetifolia). Axillary buds and young shoots of hotu, purau and falcata (Paraserianthes falcataria).

They lick the surface of the leaves of banana. Make sudden movements in the leaves of certain trees without flowers or fruit (including dead Palm trees), also tends to dig small holes – clearly too superficial to serve as a nest -, This we do think that also can be insectivores.

Distribution:

Size of the area of distribution (reproduction / resident) 510 km2

endemic to Rimatara in the Tubuai Islands, south-central Pacific (France), where the population is estimated at 905 birds. It has also been introduced in Kiribati including Teraina (Washington Island) and Tabueran (Fanning island), both before 1798, and Kiritimati (Isla Christmas), where six specimens were transferred in 1957.

Occasional appearances in the Thbuai island about Rimatara they are probably elopements pets.

Although the species is relatively common in Rimatara. the recent introduction of rats is cause for concern.
The population of Tabueran (c. 200 birds) It is also vulnerable because of predation of nests by rats.

In Teraina There are a few 1.000 birds and with no confirmed threat. It is possible that one or two individuals may still survive in Kiritimati. IN DANGER OF EXTINCTION.

Conservation:


Endangered

• Current IUCN Red List category: Danger

• Population trend Decreasing

Although populations are believed to be stable in Rimatara and Teraina and grow in Atiu where it was recently introduced, invading predators are probably causing a decrease in Tabuaeran and Kiritimati, Therefore, the general trend is suspected to be a moderate and continuous descent is its population.

Excessive exploitation of its red feathers is the most likely reason for the extinction of the Kuhl's Lorikeet in the Islas Cook.

A serious threat to all hatchlings in the Pacific islands, It is the depredation caused by rats in the nests, especially on the part of the Black Rat (Rattus rattus). In Rimatara, There was a wide shot of black rats (Rattus rattus), to leave the island away from them in the year 2000. However the rats of the Pacific (R. exulans) they were still very abundant.

In Teraina, There is no evidence of the presence of the (R. Rattus), although the Pacific rat (R. exulans) is abundant, While in Tabuaeran and Mitiaro, still having black rats (R. Rattus). Cats can be a threat in Kiritimati. The common mine (Acridotheres tristis) It is a threat to the introduced population in Atiu, Since it competes for nesting sites and usually attacking young people Kuhl's Lorikeet.

Ongoing conservation actions:

Appendix II of CITES.
– In Kiribati, the species is fully protected.
– In the french polynesia the species is protected by national laws and regulations from 1996.
– In Rimatara It has been protected by a traditional tapu (taboo) from 1900.

– 27 birds were reintroduced in Atiu from Rimatara in May of the 2007, after which organized a community contest to find the first young birds, with a reward given to the winner.
– Monthly count of birds in Atiu carried out to evaluate the success of the effort of introduction.
– A control program of the common mine started in Atiu in May of 2009, including harassment and capture, with a bounty for each dead bird.
– For October of the 2009, the population of the birds Mine had been reduced by 60% and this program is permanent.
– In Rimatara, 21 bait stations were established in the main Pier in September of 2009 to prevent black rats invading the island and raising awareness is taking place among children about the importance of protecting the avifauna of the island.

"Kuhl's Lorikeet" in captivity:

It is not in captivity.

Due to its State, in danger of extinction, any specimen that can not be returned to their natural habitat (natural range) should preferably be placed in a well-managed breeding program to ensure the survival of the species.

Alternative names:

Kuhl’s Lorikeet, Kuhl’s Lory, Kühl’s lory, Rimatara Lorikeet, Rimitara Lorikeet, Ruby Lorikeet, Scarlet-breasted Lorikeet (ingles).
Lori de Kuhl (French).
Rubinlori (German).
Lóris-de-kuhl (Portuguese).
Lori de Rimatara (español).

scientific classification:

Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittaculidae
Genus: Vini
Scientific name: Vini kuhlii
Citation: (Vigors, 1824)
Protonimo: Psittacula kuhlii

Images “Kuhl's Lorikeet”:

Videos "Kuhl's Lorikeet"

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“Kuhl's Lorikeet” (Vini kuhlii)


Sources:

Avibase
– Parrots of the World – Forshaw Joseph M
– Parrots A Guide to the Parrots of the World – Tony Juniper & Mike Parr
– BirdLife.org

Photos:

1 – Miles to the wild – link
2 – Miles to the wild – link
3 – Miles to the wild – link
4 – Miles to the wild – link
5 – Duncan WrightThe uploader's own work: "Vini australis”. Engedely: GFDL, Forrás: Wikimedia Commons

Sounds: Matthias Feuersenger (Xeno-canto)

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