Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence under 20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (under 10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be over 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (over 30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. The status of this species was recently reassessed against the IUCN Red List criteria at national level for the Action Plan for Australian Birds 2020 (Garnet and Baker 2021), and not found to approach or meet the thresholds for threatened status, thereby supporting its continuing treatment as globally Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as common (del Hoyo et al. 1997). The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.
This species is endemic to northern Australia, where it is found from Kimberley division, Western Australia, east to north-east Queensland. It is common around Mt Isa and still appears to be widespread and abundant over huge areas of the Top End of the Northern Territory (D. Franklin in litt. 2003).
The species is found in wooded areas, being especially attracted to paperbarks Melaleuca and eucalypts bordering streams and waterholes. It feeds on pollen and nectar from the flowers of Eucalyptus, Melaleuca and other tree species, and is nomadic in response to the availability of blossom, which may be responsible for its disappearance from some areas for long periods of time. Breeding chiefly occurs in April-August, but has been recorded all year round. It nests in tree holes, and has a clutch size of 2-5 eggs (del Hoyo et al. 1997).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species is listed under CITES Appendix II.
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A.
Contributors
Garnett, S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Varied Lorikeet Psitteuteles versicolor. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/varied-lorikeet-psitteuteles-versicolor on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.