Purple-crowned Lorikeet

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The Purple-crowned Lorikeet (Parvipsitta porphyrocephala) is a small green coloured lorikeet with greenish-yellow underpart and pale blue belly. The species have an orange and yellow cheek patch (ear-coverts), red patch in front of the eyes, yellowish above the bill and a purple crown (this has an appearance of black ). There is a hint of bronze across the nape (back of the neck) and mantle (upper parts between the base of its nape and the rump). The thighs and under-tail coverts are yellowish-green and the green tail feathers have some orange-red coloration at the bases of the lateral feathers. They have a black beak, brown iris and the feet are grey-pink.

The Purple-crowned Lorikeet have a crimson patch under the wings that are visible when the bird is in flight, the female lacks the crimson patch. The rest of the feather colours of the female is similar to the male, but they have paler ear coverts and a darker iris. Immature birds are duller in colour and lack the purple crown.

They are a nomadic species that congregate in small groups, although they are also seen in larger flocks. They are found in sclerophyll forests, especially following the flowering cycle of the trees. They are often sighted in scrub and mallee habitats of southern Australia, from Victoria through to south-west Western Australia, and Kangaroo Island.

Common name
Purple-capped Lorikeet, Porphyry-crowned Lorikeet, Purple-capped Parakeet, Zit Parrot, Blue-crowned Lorikeet, Lory, Cowara Lorikeet and Dietrichsen’s Lory.