Loriini
Tribe of birds
title: "Loriini" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["lorini", "taxa-named-by-prideaux-john-selby"] description: "Tribe of birds" topic_path: "general/lorini" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loriini" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Tribe of birds ::
| image = Ornithological miscellany (Plate) (5981479349).jpg | image_caption = Collared lory (Vini solitaria), 1876 | taxon = Loriini | authority = Selby, 1836 | subdivision_ranks = Genera | subdivision = Oreopsittacus
Loriini is a tribe of small to medium-sized arboreal parrots characterized by their specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar of various blossoms and soft fruits, preferably berries. The species form a monophyletic group within the parrot family Psittaculidae. The group consists of the lories and lorikeets. Traditionally, they were considered a separate subfamily (Loriinae) from the other subfamily (Psittacinae) based on the specialized characteristics, but recent molecular and morphological studies show that the group is positioned in the middle of various other groups. They are widely distributed throughout the Australasian region, including south-eastern Asia, Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Australia, and the majority have very brightly coloured plumage.
Etymology
The word "lory" comes from the Malay lūri, a name used for a number of species of colourful parrots. The name was used by the Dutch writer Johan Nieuhof in 1682 in a book describing his travels in the East Indies. | last=Nieuhof | first=Johan | author-link=Johan Nieuhof | year=1662 | title=Zee en lant-reize, door verscheide gewesten van Oostindien | language=Dutch |trans-title=A Journey by Sea and Land through Various Regions of the East Indies | location=Amsterdam, NL | publisher=Jacob van Meurs | page=287 |quote=Behelzende veele zeltzaame en wonderlijke voorvallen en geschiedenissen. Beneffens een beschrijving van lantschappen, steden, dieren, gewassen, draghten, zeden en godsdienst der inwoonders en inzonderheit een wijtloopig verhael der stad Batavia. Containing many rare and wonderful incidents and histories. Besides a description of the landscapes, cities, animals, crops, customs, manners, and religion of the inhabitants, and in particular a partial story of the city of Batavia. | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SEZnAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA287 The spelling "laurey" was used by English naturalist Eleazar Albin in 1731 for a species of parrot from Brazil, | last1=Albin | first1=Eleazar | author1-link=Eleazar Albin | last2=Derham | first2=William | author2-link=William Derham | year=1731 | title=A Natural History of Birds: Illustrated with a hundred and one copper plates, curiously engraven from the life | volume=1 | page=13, Plate 13 | location=London, UK | publisher=Printed for the author and sold by William Innys | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/41130217 and then in 1751 the English naturalist George Edwards used the spelling "lory" when introducing names for five species of parrot from the East Indies in the fourth volume of his A Natural History of Uncommon Birds. Edwards credited Nieuhof for the name. | last=Edwards | first=George | author-link=George Edwards (naturalist) | year=1751 | title=A Natural History of Uncommon Birds | volume=Part 4 | pages=170–174 | place=London, UK | publisher=Printed for the author at the College of Physicians | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/50196404
The choice of the terms "lory" and "lorikeet" is subjective, like the use of "parrot" and "parakeet". Species with longer tapering tails are generally referred to as "lorikeets", while species with short blunt tails are generally referred to as "lories". | last = Low | first = Rosemary | year = 1998 | title = Hancock House Encyclopedia of the Lories | publisher = Hancock House | pages = 85–87 | isbn = 0-88839-413-6
Taxonomy
Traditionally, lories and lorikeets have either been classified as the subfamily, Loriinae, or as a family on their own, Loriidae, but they are currently classified as a tribe. Neither traditional view is confirmed by molecular studies. Those studies show that the lories and lorikeets form a single group, closely related to the budgerigar and the fig parrots (Cyclopsitta and Psittaculirostris).
A comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study of the Loriini published in 2020 led to major changes in the generic boundaries. The reorganisation involved the resurrection of four genera: Charminetta, Hypocharmosyna, Charmosynopsis and Glossoptilus, as well as the erection of three entirely new genera: Synorhacma, Charmosynoides and Saudareos. One genus disappeared, as the collared lory, which had previously been placed in the monotypic genus Phigys, was found to be embedded in the genus Vini. The extinct New Caledonian lorikeet, although not sampled, was assumed to be a member of the genus Vini on plumage and biogeographic grounds. The tribe Loriini now contains 61 species divided into 12 genera.
|caption=Phylogeny of the Loriini based on a genetic study published in 2020. |align=centre |cladogram={{Clade| style=font-size:100%;line-height:80%;width:400px; |label1=Loriini |1={{clade |1=Oreopsittacus – Plum-faced lorikeet |2={{clade |1={{clade |1=Charminetta – Pygmy lorikeet |2={{clade |1=Hypocharmosyna – 2 species |2={{clade |1=Charmosynopsis – 2 species |2={{clade |1=Charmosyna – 4 species |2=Vini – 12 species |2={{clade |1=Neopsittacus – 2 species |2={{clade |1=Lorius – 6 species |2={{clade |1=Psitteuteles – 3 species |2={{clade |1=Chalcopsitta – 5 species |2={{clade |1=Glossoptilus – Goldie's lorikeet |2=Trichoglossus – 22 species
Genera
::data[format=table]
| Image | Genus | Living species |
|---|---|---|
| [[File:Oreopsittacus arfaki (pair) -captive-8a-4c.jpg | 175px]] | Oreopsittacus Salvadori, 1877 |
| [[File:N309_w1150_(8006803741)_(cropped_2).jpg | 175px]] | Charminetta Iredale, 1956 |
| [[File:Charmosyna placentis -Jurong Bird Park -pair-6a.jpg | 175px]] | Hypocharmosyna Salvadori, 1891 |
| [[File:TrichoglossusPulchellusKeulemans.jpg | 175px]] | Charmosynopsis Salvadori, 1877 |
| [[File:Charmosyna josefinae.jpg | 175px]] | Charmosyna Wagler, 1832 |
| [[File:Vini australis -London Zoo, England-8a.jpg | 175px]] | Vini Lesson, R, 1833 |
| [[File:Neopsittacus musschenbroekii.JPG | 175px]] | Neopsittacus Salvadori, 1875 |
| [[File:Lorius domicella -Jurong Bird Park, Singapore-8a-2c.jpg | 175px]] | Lorius Vigors, 1825 |
| [[File:Psitteuteles iris -San Diego Zoo -6.jpg | 175px]] | Psitteuteles Bonaparte, 1854 |
| [[File:Brown Lory (Chalcopsitta duivenbodei)-7.jpg | 175px]] | Chalcopsitta Bonaparte, 1850 |
| [[File:Goldies Lorikeet.jpg | 175px]] | Glossoptilus Rothschild and Hartert, 1896 |
| [[File:Rainbow lorikeet.jpg | 175px]] | Trichoglossus Stephens, 1826 |
| :: |
Morphology
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/40/LoryTongueLyd4.png" caption="Tongue of a lory"] ::
Lories and lorikeets have specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar and soft fruits. They can feed from the flowers of about 5,000 species of plants and use their specialized tongues to take the nectar. The tip of their tongues have tufts of papillae (extremely fine hairs), which collect nectar and pollen.
The multi-coloured rainbow lorikeet was one of the species of parrots appearing in the first edition of The Parrots of the World and also in John Gould's lithographs of the Birds of Australia.
Diet
In the wild, rainbow lorikeets feed mainly on pollen and nectar, and possess a tongue adapted especially for their particular diet. Many fruit orchard owners consider them a pest, as they often fly in groups and strip trees containing fresh fruit. They are also frequent visitors at bird feeders that supply lorikeet-friendly treats, such as store-bought nectar, sunflower seeds, and fruits such as apples, grapes and pears. Occasionally they have been observed feeding on meat.
Conservation
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Rainbow_Lorikeet_(Trichoglossus_haematodus)_-drinking.jpg" caption="[[Rainbow lorikeet]] drinking"] ::
The ultramarine lorikeet is endangered. It is now one of the 50 rarest birds in the world. The blue lorikeet is classified as vulnerable. The introduction of European rats to the small island habitats of these birds is a major cause of their endangerment. Various conservation efforts have been made to relocate some of these birds to locations free of predation and habitat destruction.
In literature
A "Lory" famously appears in Chapter III of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Alice argues with the Lory about its age.
Gallery
File:BlackWingedLorikeet.jpg|Black-winged lory Black lory (Chalcopsitta atra), Gembira Loka Zoo, Yogyakarta 2015-03-15 03.jpg|Black lories File:RainbowLorikeetOregonZoo.jpg|Green-naped lorikeet (subspecies of rainbow lorikeet) File:Scalybreastedlorikeet.jpg|Scaly-breasted lorikeet File:Trichoglossus euteles -Indianapolis Zoo -6.jpg|Olive-headed lorikeet File:Chalcopsitta sintillata -Fuengirola Zoo-8-1c.jpg|Yellow-streaked lory File:Musk Lorikeet 2.jpg|Musk lorikeet File:Dusky lory (Pseudeos fuscata), Gembira Loka Zoo, Yogyakarta, 2015-03-15 03.jpg|Dusky lory File:BlueStreakedLory.jpg|Blue-streaked lory File:Charmosyna josefinae.jpg|Josephine's lorikeet File:Stellas Lory 2.jpg|Papuan lorikeet File:Aus Rainbow Lorikeet cropped.jpg|Australian rainbow lorikeet (subspecies of rainbow lorikeet) File:Blackcappedlorikeet.jpg|Black-capped lory at the Cincinnati Zoo File:Lorius_garrulus-20070107.jpg|Chattering lory at Jurong Bird Park
References
References
- "lorikeet {{!}} bird {{!}} Britannica".
- Jobling, James A.. (2010). "The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names". Christopher Helm.
- Forshaw, Joseph M.. (1981). "Parrots of the World". David & Charles, Newton Abbot, London.
- (2008). "A multilocus molecular phylogeny of the parrots (Psittaciformes): Support for a Gondwanan origin during the Cretaceous". Molecular Biology and Evolution.
- Astuti, Dwi. (2006). "Phylogenetic relationships within parrots (Psittacidae) inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene sequences.". Zoological Science.
- de Kloet, RS. (2005). "The evolution of the spindlin gene in birds: Sequence analysis of an intron of the spindlin W and Z gene reveals four major divisions of the Psittaciformes". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.
- Tokita, M. (2007). "Evolution of craniofacial novelty in parrots through developmental modularity and heterochrony". Evolution & Development.
- (1991). "Relationships among the Australo-Papuan parrots, lorikeets, and cockatoos (Aves, Psittaciformes) - protein evidence". Condor.
- (2020). "Uneven missing data skew phylogenomic relationships within the lories and lorikeets". Genome Biology and Evolution.
- (2020). "Improved systematics of lorikeets reflects their evolutionary history and frames conservation priorities". Emu - Austral Ornithology.
- AviList Core Team. (2025). "AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025".
- "Rainbow Lorikeet / Rainbow Lory aka Green Naped Lory / Lorikeet".
- (2015-03-23). "Meat-eating rainbow lorikeets puzzle bird experts". ABC News.
- Steadman D, (2006). ''Extinction and Biogeography in Tropical Pacific Birds'', University of Chicago Press. {{ISBN. 978-0-226-77142-7
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