Chalcopsitta cardinalis
The Cardinal Lory (Chalcopsitta cardinalis) is a breathtakingly vibrant parrot, instantly recognizable by its almost entirely uniform, brilliant scarlet-red plumage, contrasting only with a deep black cere, lore, and sometimes the distal half of the underwing coverts and undertail. This medium-sized lory measures approximately 31 cm (12.2 inches) in length from head to tail and weighs around 180-230 grams (6.3-8.1 oz), making it one of the larger lory species. Its stout, slightly decurved bla...
Primarily inhabits lowland tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, including secondary growth, coastal areas, and occasionally coconut plantations, typically found from sea level up to around 1200 meters (4,000 feet) in elevation.
Feeds predominantly on nectar and pollen from various flowering trees and shrubs, supplemented by soft fruits, berries, and occasionally small insects or their larvae.
Cardinal Lories are diurnal and highly social birds, often observed in pairs or small, noisy flocks, though larger aggregations can form at abundant food sources. Their days are spent actively foraging and interacting, frequently engaging in acrobatic displays while navigating the canopy. Roostin...
The Cardinal Lory is endemic to the tropical islands of the Solomon Islands archipelago and Bougainville Island, which is politically part of Papua New Guinea. Its primary distribution covers the major islands of the Solomons, extending west to Bougainville. It is a resident species throughout it...
Least Concern
- The Cardinal Lory is one of the most uniformly red parrot species in the world, with almost no other colors apart from its black bill and facial markings. - It possesses a specialized "brush-tipped" tongue, an adaptation unique to lories and lorikeets, which allows it to efficiently soak up nec...