Purple-crowned Lorikeet
Glossopsitta porphyrocephala
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is a small, vibrant parrot with predominantly bright green plumage. Its most distinctive feature is the purple crown, which contrasts beautifully with its green body. The bird also displays a fiery-orange band across its forehead and yellow-orange cheek patches.
The chest and belly show a mix of blue and light green hues, while the wings have red underwing coverts. Both males and females appear mostly similar, although females have darker irises, paler ear coverts and lack the crimson patches.
Juveniles have duller plumage overall, with reduced head colours.
Size
Length
15cm to 17cm
Wingspan
30cm to 35cm
Weight
40g to 55g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Green Purple
Secondary Colour
Red Yellow Blue Orange
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Purple-crowned Lorikeets are endemic to Australia and found across the southern parts of the continent. They inhabit eucalyptus forests, woodlands, and mallee scrublands, showing a preference for areas with abundant flowering trees.
These birds are common in parts of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and southern New South Wales. They are also frequently seen in urban parks and gardens, especially where native plants are present.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Purple-crowned Lorikeet. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Purple-crowned Lorikeet demonstrates remarkable agility, particularly evident in their ability to hang upside down whilst feeding and navigate swiftly through dense canopies. Their quick, darting movements and precise flight patterns through tree branches showcase their exceptional manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a small parrot weighing only 40-55g, the Purple-crowned Lorikeet possesses modest strength. Whilst capable of typical parrot behaviours like climbing and gripping branches, their physical power is proportionate to their diminutive size.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
These lorikeets show strong adaptability, successfully inhabiting both natural woodland environments and urban areas. Their nomadic behaviour and ability to adjust their feeding patterns to follow flowering resources demonstrates considerable ecological flexibility.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Purple-crowned Lorikeets are generally social and peaceful birds, typically seen in harmonious small flocks or pairs. Whilst they may display territorial behaviour during breeding season, they're not notably aggressive compared to other parrot species.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Their nomadic lifestyle and ability to travel between flowering resources indicates good endurance. They maintain active feeding behaviours throughout the day and can undertake sustained flight when necessary, though they're not known for extremely long-distance travel.
Diet
Purple-crowned Lorikeets primarily feed on nectar from eucalyptus and other native Australian flowers. They supplement their diet with pollen, fruits, and occasionally insects.
Their specialised brush-tipped tongue is perfectly adapted for extracting nectar from deep within blossoms.
Behaviour
Purple-crowned Lorikeets are highly social birds, often seen in small flocks or pairs. They are known for their swift, direct flight patterns and their agility in navigating through tree canopies.
These lorikeets are particularly active during feeding, using their specialised brush-tipped tongues to extract nectar from flowers.
Vocalisation
Purple-crowned Lorikeets are known for their high-pitched, screeching calls. Their vocalisations include a sharp 'zit-zit' or 'tsit-tsit' sound when in flight.
During feeding or social interactions, they produce a series of rapid, chattering notes that sound like 'zik-zik-zik' or 'tik-tik-tik'.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding typically occurs between July and January, with peak activity in spring. Purple-crowned Lorikeets form monogamous pairs and often return to the same nesting sites year after year.
Nests are usually located in tree hollows, often in eucalyptus trees. The female lays a clutch of 2-4 white, rounded eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs.
Incubation lasts about 25 days, and the chicks fledge after approximately 7-8 weeks. Parents continue to feed the young for several weeks after they leave the nest.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, Purple-crowned Lorikeets face threats from habitat loss due to land clearing and urbanisation. Climate change may also impact their food sources by altering flowering patterns of native plants.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving and restoring native eucalyptus forests.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for these lorikeets in flowering eucalyptus trees, especially during blooming seasons
- Listen for their high-pitched, screeching calls as they fly or feed
- Observe their quick, darting movements as they forage for nectar
- In urban areas, check parks and gardens with native Australian plants
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Purple-capped Lorikeet, Psitteuteles porphyrocephalus
Family:
PsittaculidaeAverage Lifespan
7 to 10 years
Max Lifespan
12 years [4]
Predators
Main predators include birds of prey such as peregrine falcons and goshawks, as well as introduced species like feral cats and foxes.
Did You Know?
- Purple-crowned Lorikeets can hang upside down while feeding, showcasing their acrobatic abilities.
- Their brush-tipped tongue has papillae that help them efficiently collect nectar and pollen.
- These lorikeets play a crucial role in pollinating many native Australian plants.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 3
website: BirdLife International. 2024. Glossopsitta porphyrocephala. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T22684658A254009173.
View source - 2 4
report, 1997: del Hoyo et al.
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