Other Names: Porphyry-crowned Lorikeet, Blue-crowned Lorikeet, Zit Parrot
Scientific Name: Glossopsitta porphyrocephala
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Body Length: 16–18 cm
Weight: 40–50 g
Incubation: 20 days
Number of eggs: 2–4
Distribution: Southern Australia
Habitat: Open woodlands and dry forest, often near the coast
Description: The Purple-crowned Lorikeet has predominantly light blue and green feathers, with patches of yellow, dark blue and red with a dark purple area on top of the head. The beak is small and black.
Diet: Purple-crowned Lorikeets are omnivores. Their diet consists of pollen, nectar, blossoms and fruits as well as insects.
In the wild: These very vocal birds make a high-pitched zit-zit or tsit sound continuously when they fly, as well as twittering while they eat.
Threats: Destruction of habitat, which includes loss of their nesting sites and food sources is a threat to the Purple-crowned Lorikeet. They also face competition for nesting and feeding sites from the introduced and more aggressive Rainbow Lorikeet.
At Perth Zoo: Purple-crowned Lorikeets can be found in the Birds of the South-west aviary.
Did You Know? The purple crown that gives this bird its name doesn’t appear until the lorikeet has fully matured. Young Purple-crowned Lorikeets are not as vibrant in colour as the adults.
Download the Purple-crowned Lorikeet Fact Sheet (pdf).
