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14 cm
in length.
Size of a House Sparrow. Sexes alike, but the
female is duller, colored than the male, and has only a trace of pale-blue throat-patch,
young birds have the head all green, but otherwise resemble their parents.
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It is strictly arboreal,
never descending to the ground. Although often solitary, companions are never far away,
and it keeps them informed of its movements by constantly uttering, while o the wing, a
sharp three-syllable whistle twiwittwit...twitwitwit. The lorikeet is a
convivial little bird, delighting in juicy fruits, the nectar of flowers (especially red cotton), and the juice of palms collected in toddy-drawers' pots.
The lorikeet breeds in the first half of the year, and sometimes
again in July-September. Its breeding habits are highly
remarkable. The eggs are white and nearly spherical, measuring
about 19.3 X 16 mm.. |