| Blue lorikeet | |
|---|---|
| |
| Tuamotu, French Polynesia | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Family: | Psittaculidae |
| Genus: | Vini |
| Species: | V. peruviana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Vini peruviana (Müller, 1776)
| |
The blue lorikeet (Vini peruviana) is a small lorikeet from French Polynesia and the Cook Islands. It is also known as the Tahiti lorikeet, violet lorikeet, Tahitian lory, blue lory, nunbird, and the indigo lory. It was formerly found on 23 islands around Tahiti, but now restricted to perhaps eight islands: Aitutaki, Apataki, Arutua, Kaukura, Manuae, Maupihaa, Motu One, Rangiroa, and possibly Manihi and Manuae. Its plumage is mainly dark blue and it has a white area over its upper chest, throat and face. The first captive breeding in the UK was by the Marquess of Tavistock in the 1930s. He was awarded a silver medal by the Foreign Bird League for this achievement.
They are active birds, feeding on nectar, insects, and ground forage.
- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Vini peruviana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22684641A95212213. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22684641A95212213.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.