Taxonomy:

At the time of writing, it is not clear in which genus Goldie's lorikeet should be placed.  Salvadori (1891) favored Glossopsitta and Peters (1937) placed it in Psitteuteles.  In appearance it seems to me to have some similarity to Oreopsittacus, in head coloration and bill color and in general shape.  Joshua (1993) states that recent studies of chromosomes have shown that "it has differences to the species within Trichoglossus."  Its behavior is also different from members of that genus.  Here it is retained in Trichoglossus because as yet there is not sufficient evidence to place it elsewhere.

Plumage

This is a distinctive species, with its scarlet crown and forehead and vertically streaked underparts.  The area bordering the crown and the eyes is mauve and the cheeks and facial area are pink, with the dark green streaks of the underparts extending upward to the lower part of the cheeks.  The entire underparts are streaked (more broadly on the sides), also the nape and the undertail coverts.  Upper parts are dark green.  The beak is black and the iris is dark brown.

In immatures, the plumage is duller and streaking less pronounced throughout.  Newly fledged young are dull plum-colored indistinctly streaked with black on the crown and cheeks and usually slightly brighter red on the forehead.  the hindcrown may be green or dull purple.  There may be a small area of blue below the eye.  Forshaw (1989) states that the crown is green, variably marked with red-but "variably marked with red" suggests an immature bird molting into adult plumage.  The cere and the skin surrounding the eye are whitish.  Kapac (1985) states: "Goldie's are easier to sex upon just weaning when the male shows more color on the head."

Head and bill are usually slightly larger in the male.  Some breeders believe that the mauve on the head is more pronounced in the male.  Bosch (1993) states that the "adult male is heavier in build and has more red on the top of the head."  Joshua (1993) noted that "the margin of purple head coloration is also often straight in males, while in females the line behind the eye has the green body color cutting into the purple in a V shape.  This however is not an absolute measure."  The larger head and beak of the male and the slimmer, more feminine appearance of the female are perhaps the best indications of sex where several birds are available for comparison.

Status/Conservation

The least common of the midmontane lories, according to Diamond.  The general opinion is that it is generally scarce and only locally common.  Because it is nomadic and/or migratory it is difficult to study and therefore there is absolutely no indication of its true abundance.  Lambert, Wirth et al. (undated), who tried to estimate the population of all parrot species, suggested a total population of more than 100,000 for Goldie's.  To even try to make an estimate seems unrealistic.  As a midmontane species its habitat may be more secure than lories from lower altitudes.  Its skins are not in demand by native peoples for decoration, thus no threats to its existence are known.

 General

Perhaps no other lorikeet achieved such rapid popularity as the Goldie's.  Its good qualities were soon apparent: it is quiet, nonaggressive and free-breeding.  First exported to Europe on a commercial basis in 1977, by the mid-19802 it was firmly established in aviculture.  The first consignment to reach the U.K. was imported by Mrs. S. Belford.  I can still recall seeing the 30 birds, all together in a single cage (by no means large).   But they thrived; not one was lost.  I bought seven, for I was enchanted by my first sight of this species.  I soon discovered that they lacked the playful and boisterous ways of Trichoglossus species.  Often they creep about in a cautious manner, with the head held low, almost horizontal to the body.

Literature