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SPECIES
DESCRIPTION |
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.jpg) | | Photo By Sally Drucker |
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There are 53 species of lories. A small number of these are commonly kept as pets. Below are the most common pet lories.
Genus: Pseudeos
Species: fuscata (dusky)
Genus: Trichoglossus
Species: T. haematodus (green nape), T. goldiei (Goldie, also less-commonly classified as Psitteuteles goldiei)
Subspecies: T. h. moluccanus (Swainson's, or blue mountain)
Genus: Lorius
Species: lory (black cap)
Native Continent: Australia, and the Pacific islands to the north, as well as much of New Guinea
Probable life span: 15 or more years
Personality: Outgoing, gregarious, playful and mischievous. Many, like the black cap, learn to speak very well. Probably the most commonly kept are the Goldie's lory, a petite bird, that is charming and also able to talk. Next comes the green napes and Swainsons', both talkers and clowns.
Housing: Recommended size of cage is large (6 feet long by 5 feet wide) because lories are exceptionally active.
Behavior issues: Lories can be extremely aggressive to other birds, including other lories, and often nip to get attention. Do not leave a lory unattended with other birds or animals.
Medical issues: Candidiasis is a yeast infection common in lories and lorikeets due to the sweet sugary content of their food. Vitamin A in the diet is a good deterrent. They should not have a diet too high in protein, no more than 15 percent. Stay away from high iron foods because lories are susceptible to hemochromatosis (iron storage disease). Watch out for kidney, liver and gout problems.
Unusual Characteristics: Lories have different dietary needs, they need nectar and pasteurized (not raw) honey. See an avian vet or lory breeder for diet recommendations. Because not all of the diet is solid, their droppings are not as solid. There is some mess involved, but because their droppings are water-soluble, there is no serious worry with staining.
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