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Purple-crowned Lorikeet

Glossopsitta porphyrocephala

Least Concern
From deep within Australia's eucalyptus forests comes this tiny, vibrant parrot with its tell-tale purple crown and boundless energy.
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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

The Purple-crowned Lorikeet can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Purple-crowned Lorikeet can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Purple-crowned Lorikeet is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Australia

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird 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.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

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 35

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 75

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 40

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 65

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

Least Concern [1]

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.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

Not quantified, but common across its range [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

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:

Psittaculidae

Average 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?

  1. Purple-crowned Lorikeets can hang upside down while feeding, showcasing their acrobatic abilities.
  2. Their brush-tipped tongue has papillae that help them efficiently collect nectar and pollen.
  3. These lorikeets play a crucial role in pollinating many native Australian plants.

References

  1. 1 3

    website: BirdLife International. 2024. Glossopsitta porphyrocephala. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T22684658A254009173.

    View source
  2. 2 4

    report, 1997: del Hoyo et al.

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