The Trichoglossus genus
This genus is difficult to define, therefore it is equally difficult to limit its boundaries. The larger species, such as ornatus, haematodus aand chlorolepidotus might be thought of as typical or the genus, i.e., they are mainly green with the breast of the entire underparts boldly barred. Some have very colorful head markings, others lack barring on the underparts and one species is entirely red (this color probably masks the barring). There is much difference of opinion regarding in which genus some of the smaller species, such as versicolor, iris and goldiei, really belong. The latter has little in common with other species of Trichoglossus. Forshaw (1989) retained it in the genus but suggested that "further investigations with fresh material could result in it being placed with Charmosyna or in a monotypic genus." The latter would be more appropriate as it has no affinities with Charmosyna. He described Trichoglossus as "small to medium-sized parrots with gradated tails comprising rather narrow, pointed feathers. There is no naked area surrounding the lower mandible. Sexual dimorphism is absent, and immatures resemble adults but have more sharply pointed tail feathers."
He described the closely related Glossopsitta thus: "In this genus there are no shaft-streaked, erectile feathers on the crown. The small bill is fine and somewhat projecting, and the central tail feathers of the wedge-shaped tail are pointed. The cere is naked. Sexual dimorphism is slight in one species - cocinna - and absent in others."
Peters (1937) favored placing five small species in the genus Psitteuteles: meyeri, johnstoniae, goldiei, versicolor and iris. Because they are comparatively recently evolved, the lories pose a puzzle to systematists which, perhaps, will never be satisfactorily resolved.
The species which are generally accepted as Trichoglossus range in size from 17 cm to 30 cm and in weight from 50 g to about 150 g. Their geographical range is extremely wide-most of Indonesia and New Guinea, coastal Australia, and that far outpost of lory habitation, the Caroline Islands. Their status varies from extremely common and widespread species (e.g., haematodus) to little known island endemics (e.g., iris). In aviculture, their members include some of the most widely kept and easily bred species.
Literature
- Low, R (1998): Hancock House Encyclopedia of the Lories. (238) Hancock House Publishers Ltd.