ANIMALS

Meet The Breathtaking Red-and-Blue Lory Bird – The Indonesia’s Exquisite Flying Gem

For a long time, bird owners have been amazed by the parrot’s exceptional intelligence as a pet. Not only can they mimic human speech, but certain individuals of this species can also understand the meaning of words and even put together basic sentences. Furthermore, they are renowned for their vibrant and stunning appearance, captivating anyone who lays eyes on their magnificent plumage. Today, come with us as we introduce the red-and-blue lory and discover why it’s dubbed “the flying gem of Indonesia.

This small bird stands out as one of the most colorful creatures on the planet, showcasing a striking combination of vivid red, blue, and purple feathers. Its plumage is incredibly vibrant and eye-catching.

Image source: Iggino Van Bael

The bird’s feathers closest to its beak are a stunning shade of red, while its slender and curved beak itself is a vibrant orange, making it easily noticeable. The bird’s overall coloration is mainly a brilliant red, with a striking deep blue band running across its chest. Its head and neck area display rich hues of purple and violet. Towards the bird’s rear and lower belly, the red color becomes darker compared to the rest of its feathers.

Furthermore, its wings and tail feathers exhibit a captivating blend of deep red and purple shades, adding to its beauty. The bird’s feet and claws are of a medium gray and black color, respectively. Additionally, it possesses a pair of stunning dark brown eyes that perfectly complement the incredibly dark gray hue of its core.

The red-and-blue lory measures approximately 12 inches (30 cm) in length, including its tail. Both male and female birds of this species have a similar appearance because they are sexually monomorphic, meaning there are no distinct visual differences between the genders.

Image source: Ali-Andrea Cahal

The red-and-blue lory emits short and sharp chattering screeches. They are known for their quick and straight flight, moving swiftly from one point to another.

Image source: Michal Plavčan

These parrots exclusively inhabit trees and refrain from feeding on the ground, as they are entirely arboreal creatures.

Image source: Michal Plavčan

In its natural habitat, the red-and-blue lory is known to be lively and loud, but interestingly, it is said to remain quiet while feeding.

Image source: writhedhornbill

The red-and-blue lory eggs take about 25-26 days to hatch, and each nest typically contains a clutch of 2 eggs.

Image source: Iggino Van Bael

After the mating season concludes, the red-and-blue lory species congregates in social groups on palm plantations. While they do not undertake long-distance migrations, there is a belief that they might explore neighboring islands in search of food.

While the exact lifespan of this species remains uncertain, it can be estimated based on the lifespans of similar bird species. Generally, lories and lorikeets have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years when kept in captivity. It is worth noting that the successful breeding of this species has been documented only once in scientific literature, making it an exceptionally rare occurrence in commercial aviculture.

The red-and-blue lory, despite its breathtaking beauty, is currently classified as an endangered species due to numerous threats that pose a risk to its survival.

Image source: Iggino Van Bael

The red-and-blue lory is currently classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). To protect the species, international trade of wild-caught individuals is strictly prohibited under CITES Appendix I. However, despite these regulations, illicit trading persists, with a staggering 80% of illegally obtained birds ending up in the nearby Philippines. The bird population faces additional threats such as insecticide spraying on coconut plantations, illegal capture for the pet trade, and the spread of exotic Newcastle disease from escaped domestic chickens.

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ANIMALS

Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons

The Schmidt Ocean Institute recently explored the Ningaloo Canyons on the western coast of Australia using a robotic underwater vehicle called the ROV Sebastian. Check out the amazing video of what they discovered in the deep parts of the Indian Ocean.

More info: Youtube

ANIMALS

These Pics Are Art and the Artists Are Insects

Flying insects move so quickly that they are hard to follow, but new technology and some smart ideas have helped Spanish photographer Xavi Bou do just that. After spending 10 years focusing on birds in flight for his Ornithographies project, he turned his attention to insects.

For Entomographies, he uses high-speed video footage taken by Adrian Smith, an insect expert at North Carolina State University, to study and record how insects move. Bou then picks multiple frames and combines them into single images that show the fast movements of one or more insects through space and time.

With Smith’s help, Bou has captured the aerial tricks of wasps, the jumps of leafhoppers, and the fluttering of butterflies in amazing detail. He hopes that by doing this, he can make people more aware of the decline in important insect populations around the world.

1. Zebra longwing

This butterfly, which is common in many areas of the Americas, really fits its name. It can fly very high with just a few flaps of its large wings.