What is a Lori and Lorikeet?

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Lorikeets and lories are small, brightly coloured, highly arboreal parrots. They are usually classified as Loriinae, the most clearly distinct of the several rather uncertain subfamilies within the Psittacidae. Some authorities regard the differences between the Loriinae and the other parrots as sufficient to justify promoting the group to full family status, in which case, following the biological naming conventions, they become the Loriidae, and are placed alongside the remaining true parrots (Psittacidae) and the cockatoos (Cacatuidae) within the biological order Psittaciformes. The Ultramarine Lorikeet is endangered. It is now one of the 50 rarest birds in the world. Tahitian Lory is classifield vulnerable.

Lorikeets eat nectar from about 5,000 species of flowers. To collect the nectar they use their specialised tongues. On the tip of their tongues they have many protrusions; a tuft of papillae (extremely fine hairs). They extend to effectively collect nectar and pollen. Lorikeets have tapered wings and pointed tails that allow they to fly easily and display great agility. They also have strong feet and legs.

Many different species, including:-

* Black Lory, Chalcopsitta atra
* Duyvenbode's Lory, Chalcopsitta duivenbodei
* Yellow-streaked Lory, Chalcopsitta sintillata[/]
* Cardinal Lory, Chalcopsitta cardinalis
* Black-winged Lory, Eos cyanogenia
* Violet-necked Lory, Eos squamata
* Blue-streaked Lory, Eos reticulata
* Red and Blue Lory, Eos histrio
* Red Lory, Eos bornea
* Blue-eared Lory, Eos semilarvata
* Dusky Lory, Pseudeos fuscata
* Ornate Lory, Trichoglossus ornatus
* Ponape Lory, Trichoglossus rubiginosus
* Johnstone's Lorikeet, Trichoglossus johnstoniae
* Yellow and Green Lorikeet, Trichoglossus flavoviridis
* Rainbow Lorikeet, Trichoglossus haematodus
* Red-collared Lorikeet, Trichoglossus haematodus rubritorquis
* Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus
* Perfect Lorikeet, Trichoglossus euteles
* Varied Lorikeet, Trichoglossus versicolor
* Iris Lorikeet, Trichoglossus iris
* Goldie's Lorikeet, Trichoglossus goldiei
* Purple-bellied Lory, Lorius hypoinochrous
* Black-capped Lory, Lorius lory
* White-naped Lory, Lorius albidinuchus
* Stresemann's Lory, Lorius amabilis
* Yellow-bibbed Lory, Lorius chlorocercus
* Purple-naped Lory, Lorius domicellus
* Blue-thighed Lory, Lorius tibialis
* Chattering Lory, Lorius garrulus
* Collared Lory, Phigys solitarius
* Blue-crowned Lory, Vini australis
* Kuhl's Lory, Vini kuhlii
* Stephen's Lory, Vini stepheni
* Tahitian Lory, Vini peruviana
* Ultramarine Lory, Vini ultramarina
* Musk Lorikeet, Glossopsitta concinna
* Little Lorikeet, Glossopsitta pusilla
* Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Glossopsitta porphyrocephala
* Palm Lorikeet, Charmosyna palmarum
* Red-chinned Lorikeet, Charmosyna rubrigularis
* Meek's Lorikeet, Charmosyna meeki
* Blue-fronted Lorikeet, Charmosyna toxopei
* Striated Lorikeet, Charmosyna multistriata
* Wilhelmina's Lorikeet, Charmosyna wilhelminae
* Red-spotted Lorikeet, Charmosyna rubronotata
* Red-flanked Lorikeet, Charmosyna placentis
* New Caledonian Lorikeet, Charmosyna diadema
* Red-throated Lorikeet, Charmosyna amabilis
* Duchess Lorikeet, Charmosyna margarethae
* Fairy Lorikeet, Charmosyna pulchella
* Josephine's Lory, Charmosyna josefinae
* Papuan Lory, Charmosyna papou
* Whiskered Lorikeet, Oreopsittacus arfaki
* Musschenbroek's Lorikeet, Neopsittacus musschenbroekii
* Emerald Lorikeet, Neopsittacus pullicauda