Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot

Overview

The Sri Lanka hanging parrot (Loriculus beryllinus) is a small parrot and a resident endemic breeder found only in Sri Lanka. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• 13 cm long with a short tail.
• Adults possess a red crown and rump, an orange-tinted nape and back, and a pale blue chin and throat.
• Features a red beak and white irises; immature birds have orange beaks, brown irises, and lack the orange hue on the back.
• Call is a sharp whistled twi-witwit...twitwitwit.

Habitat

This species inhabits open forest environments in Sri Lanka. It is strictly arboreal and never descends to the ground. Local movements are driven mainly by the availability of food sources.

Diet

The bird's diet consists of fruit, seeds, buds, and blossoms.

Did you know?

Females are responsible for building the nest, while males mostly remain close by and observe. The species is so culturally significant that it features on the 1000 Sri Lankan rupee bank note and a 15-cent postage stamp.