The Red-throated Lorikeet (Charmosyna amabilis) is a small, brightly colored parrot species that is critically endangered and possibly extinct. Here’s a detailed overview:


🦜 Red-throated Lorikeet Overview

  • Scientific Name: Charmosyna amabilis
  • Common Name: Red-throated Lorikeet
  • Conservation Status: Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct)
  • Family: Psittaculidae
  • Endemic to: Fiji

🌍 Habitat

  • Historically found on the Fijian islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and Ovalau.
  • Prefers montane and tropical moist forest environments.

🧬 Physical Characteristics

  • Size: Around 18 cm (7 in) in length.
  • Coloration:
    • Bright green body.
    • Distinctive red throat and face (hence the name).
    • Blue on the crown and sides of the head.
    • Tail is green with some red and yellow hues.

🦠 Diet

  • Like other lorikeets, feeds on nectar, pollen, and fruits.
  • Uses a specialized brush-tipped tongue to gather food from flowers.

⚠️ Conservation Concerns

  • Last confirmed sighting: 1993
  • Primary threats include:
    • Habitat destruction due to logging and agriculture.
    • Introduced predators like cats, rats, and mongooses.
  • Surveys have repeatedly failed to find evidence of surviving individuals.

🔍 Current Status

  • Classified by the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct).
  • Conservation groups continue to hope for rediscovery, especially in remote forests of Viti Levu or Taveuni.

📸 Images and Rediscovery Efforts

There are no confirmed photographs of the species in the wild in recent decades. Some conservation organizations, including BirdLife International and NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, are still involved in efforts to search for any remaining populations.

https://birdlifedata.blob.core.windows.net/species-images/22684693.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/TrichoglossusAureocinctusKeulemans.jpg
https://i0.wp.com/www.naturefiji.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Beckon-RTL-4241.jpg?fit=549%2C424&ssl=1
https://www.artistsforconservation.org/sites/default/files/styles/480px_square_crop/public/silent-skies/artwork/%283714%29%20Charmosyna%20amabilis%20by%20Kim%20Toft%20-%20Silent%20Skies%20Mural.jpg?itok=2h70ZHWP

Here are some of the most representative images of the critically endangered Red‑throated Lorikeet (Charmosyna/Vini amabilis), also known locally in Fiji as the Kulawai:

  • The first two images depict the classic green plumage with striking red cheeks, throat, and thighs—traits that give the bird its name artistsforconservation.org+13en.wikipedia.org+13pina.com.fj+13.
  • The third image shows a bird feeding on nectar among flowers, highlighting its brush‑tipped tongue adapted for nectar and pollen feeding datazone.birdlife.org.
  • The fourth is an artistic interpretation inspired by vibrant floral surroundings, emphasizing its habitat association .

📸 About the Images

  • No confirmed recent photos exist; all shown are historical records, illustrations, or artistic representations—nature photography is lacking due to the bird’s extreme rarity or possible extinction.
  • The Flickr‑style artworks and vintage illustrations (e.g., by Keulemans) help showcase its unique plumage and structure inaturalist.org+13parrots.org+13parrots.org+13.

🔍 Why Are Photos So Rare?