Red-throated lorikeet

Red-throated lorikeet
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittaculidae
Genus: Vini
Species:
V. amabilis
Binomial name
Vini amabilis
(Ramsay, 1875)

The red-throated lorikeet (Vini amabilis) is a critically endangered lorikeet endemic to Fiji. It is 18 cm long and is bright green overall, with red cheeks, throat and thighs.

Artwork by John Gerard Keulemans

This bird has been found on the islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Ovalau. Ten specimens were collected in 1923, but it was last recorded in 1993, although it may also have been seen on Mount Tomanivi on Viti Levu in 2001. A search of Viti Levu in 2001-2 failed to find any birds, as did a second series of surveys in 2003. It continues to be threatened by habitat loss, the introduced black rat, as well as introduced feral cats and small Indian mongooses. It is known as the Kulawai in Fiji and is the bird found on the Fijian $5 dollar bills.

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2012). "Charmosyna amabilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.