Lorius garrulus .............................................................By Gideon Scheepers

Description

Yellow Backed Chatterings are mainly red with a variable yellow patch on the mantle. The thighs and wings are green. The under wing-coverts and bend of wing is yellow. The tail feathers are red tipped with green. The periophthalmic ring is grey and the iris is yellow-brown to red. The feet are grey and the bill is orange to red. They grow to a length of 30 cm.

 

 

Range and Habitat

There are 3 sub-species. Chatterings (Lorius garrulus) can be found on the islands of Weda and Halmahera. Yellow Back Chatterings (Lorius g. flavopalliatus) are to be found on the islands of Batjan and Obi. The Morotai Lory (Lorius g. morotianus) has a smaller yellow patch on the mantle.They are usually seen in pairs. And in small family groups.

 

Housing in Aviculture

Lorys can be housed in conventional as well as suspended aviaries, but we prefer the suspendeds as the bird's droppings are very loose and they tend to squirt it. These aviaries are also much more hygienic as they never go down to the ground. They must be supplied with an L-shaped nestbox measuring 30 cm x 30 cm x 40 cm deep, filled to a depth of 15 cm with pine shavings and wood chips.

 

 

 

Breeding in Aviculture

Chatterings can be prolific birds giving 3 clutches a season, but usually only 2. They will lay 2 eggs sometimes 3 and incubate them for 26 -27 days. The young will fledge after about 10 weeks. I have found that my pairs are excellent parents.

 

 

Mutations

I only know of a Black Eyed Yellow Mutation and then a mutation in which black replaces the green on the wings. If you know of any or have photos please e-mail me.