Orange-billed lorikeet

The orange-billed lorikeet is one of two species in the genus Neopsittacus. It is basal within the genus, and it and the congeneric yellow-billed lorikeet are basal within a clade formed by Neopsittacus, Lorius, Psitteuteles, Parvipsitta, Pseudeos, Chalcopsitta, Glossoptilus, Glossopsitta, Saudareos, Eos, and Trichoglossus.[2]

It was originally described as a species by Ernst Hartert in 1896. The generic name Neopsittacus is from the Greek νεος (neos), meaning new, and ψιττακος (psittakos), meaning parrot. The specific epithet pullicauda is from the Latin pullus, meaning dark-colored, and cauda, meaning tail.[3] Alternative names for the species include emerald lorikeet, alpine lorikeet and orange-billed mountain lorikeet.[4]

The species shows clinal variation, with birds from western populations smaller and paler than ones from the southeast.[4] It is treated monotypic by the IOU;[5] however, some authorities recognize as many as three subspecies, with populations from central western New Guinea separated as N. p. alpinus and populations from northeastern New Guinea separated as N. p. socialis.[6]

The orange-billed lorikeet is a small species of lorikeet, 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighing 25–40 g (0.88–1.41 oz). Adults are mainly green, with a red underparts from the throat to the center of the abdomen. The crown, nape, and cheeks are streaked with yellow or green, and the nape is washed with olive green. The underwing coverts and underwing band are red in color. The uppertail is green above and olive green below, with red lateral feather bases. It can be told apart from the similar looking yellow-billed lorikeet by its smaller size, richer color, and smaller, orange bill.[7] Immatures are duller in color, with less red on their underparts and an orangish-brown bill.[8] Fledglings have yellow beaks, which turn orange at around 6 months of age.[9]

The orange-billed lorikeet is endemic to the island of New Guinea. It inhabits forest canopy and forest edges at high elevations in mountains in the Central Range and the Huon Peninsula, but is absent from the Bird's Head Peninsula. It prefers cloud forest at elevations of 2,100–3,800 m (6,900–12,500 ft), but has been recorded at elevations as low as 800 m (2,600 ft). At lower elevations, it often inhabits the same areas as the yellow-billed lorikeet.[4] It is found in both primary and secondary forest, mainly in tall secondary growth and at forest edges.[8]

It is typically found in pairs, small groups, or flocks of up to 30 individuals.[8]

The species is listed as least-concern on the IUCN Red List due to its large range and lack of severe declines in its population.[10]