Black lori

The black lory, Lorius garrulus, is a species endemic to Indonesia, found in the north of the country, in the Moluccas archipelago. It is present on the islands of Morotai, Rau, Halmahera, Widi, Ternate, Bacan, and Obi. Even though it is relatively common, it is mainly found in primary forests at altitudes far from inhabited areas and agricultural zones. It predominantly lives in the upper canopy but may occasionally descend to the lower levels. It can also be found in coconut plantations as well as mangroves. These birds are present from sea level up to 1,300 meters in altitude.

They are animals that mainly live in pairs. However, it is not uncommon to see them living in groups of about ten individuals. Despite their coloring, they camouflage themselves relatively well in dense vegetation when they are calm. On the other hand, when they vocalize, it is easy to spot them thanks to the noise. These are birds that sing at the tops of trees during the breeding season.

Their flight is characteristic and audible due to the rapid beating of their wings.

The black lori feeds mainly on nectar, which it finds in flowering vegetation. To eat, it can sometimes venture into the lower levels of the canopy. It can also consume fruit as well as buds. It can even eat seeds.

The breeding season extends from June to November. During this period, males can become very aggressive towards foreign individuals. From June, pairs look for places to nest. The nest is usually made in a cavity in large trees and is located 20 to 25 meters high. There is little information on reproduction in the wild, but in captivity the female lays two white eggs. These eggs are then incubated for about 26 days. The young remain in the nest for 10 to 11 weeks. During this time, it is the male who brings food to the female and the young.

This species is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. This is explained by the decline of the overall population. Indeed, legal and illegal captures have led to a drop in the population estimated between 34% and 95%. In fact, estimates report 5,000 captures per year. The population was estimated between 45,000 and 300,000 individuals in 1992. The removal of almost 10% of the population each year is therefore not possible for the long-term survival of the species.

The threats facing the black lory are trapping for the bird trade. It is the most exported bird from Indonesia due to its ability to mimic the sounds it hears. Its habitat was relatively well preserved until the 1990s. However, exploitation for the wood trade, particularly precious wood, has led to increased deforestation. This implies the disappearance of large trees that are essential for nesting. In addition, this facilitates the movement of poachers. This combination of threats therefore greatly impacts the black lory.