Meek's Lorikeet

The Salomonenlori ( Charmosyna meeki ), also known as Meeks Zierlori, is a parrot of the genus Zierloris ( Charmosyna ). It is spread on Bougainville and the Solomon Islands. The specific epithet honors the English bird collector Albert Stewart Meek, a close associate of Walter Rothschild and Ernst Hartert, who had the taxon described in 1901.

Features

The Salomonenlori reaches a length of 16 centimeters. The plumage is overall green. Chest, lower abdomen, under tail-coverts, and under wing-coverts are yellowish - green. The apex is blunt grayish - blue. The rear back shows a strong olive-brown tint. The rear ear-coverts and sides of the neck are light green with green dotting. The underside of the secondaries is variably marked with whitish- yellow stripes. The tail are dark green with broad yellow tips. The tail underside is bright yellow. The narrow eye-ring is dark gray. The iris is yellow to orange. The feet are orange. His shrill cry has similarities with that of the Schönloris ( Charmosyna placentis ). However, he is softer and shorter.

Habitat

The Salomonenlori inhabited rain and cloud forests at altitudes from 300 m to 1700 m. On Bougainville, he is rarely found above 1200 meters.

Way of life

The Salomonenlori is usually observed in flocks of 10-15 individuals. He considers himself preferred in the tips of tall trees, and flies frequently over the forest canopy or between the branches in the upper tree storey. In search of food you see him often in Vergesellschaft with the Margarethenlori ( Charmosyna Margarethä ). Otherwise, however, he is rather shy and inconspicuous. The flight is fast and direct. The diet consists of flower nectar, pollen, small fruits and flowers, including the genera Syzygium, Metrosideros and Mearnsia. About his breeding and reproductive behavior is not known.