Breeding of the Purple-naped Lory (Lorius domicella)

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English: Purple-naped Lory
Spanish: Lori Damisela
German: Erzlori
French: Loris des dames

CITES: Appendix II
IUCN RED LIST: ENDANGERED

Size: 28 cm
Weight: 180-250 g
Ring: 7,5 mm
Clutch size: 2 eggs

Origin: Indonesia

The purple-naped lory (Lorius domicella) is endemic to the Seram and Ambon Islands in Indonesia. This species is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as ENDANGERED, with a population of no more than 7,000 mature individuals in its natural environment.

Their decline is due to the capture to turn them into pet birds, but above all to the loss of their habitat, due to deforestation by human action.
Coming from island ecosystems, it is a fragile species in terms of sensitivity to changes in its habitats. Any kind of imbalance can decimate the species in a very short time.

For this reason, it is very important to ensure a breeding stock of this species in controlled environment. At Loro Parque Fundación we follow a reproduction protocol based on observations of the common behaviour of the species in the wild.

Our breeding achievements are the result of changes in management, such as offering various nest options and grouping them into wide aviaries to stimulate them. To ensure a healthy stock, the new generations are paired with new bloods from different parts of Europe.

There are several species within the genus Lorius, so breeders should be aware of hybridisations. Sometimes, due to the lack of available specimens, crosses are produced that are camouflaged in a second or third generation. The species differ between them, but they maintain basic similarities that allow a specialized breeder to handle them in a similar way, although each one needs to cover its own particularities.

As far as food is concerned, they mainly receive first quality nectar, varied fruit in large pieces, cooked seeds and our self-prepared cake. Depending on the season, and according to our curator and her team, the diet is complemented with egg breeding paste or other complements. Thanks to this diet, the specimens of Loro Parque Fundación achieve a considerable longevity.

Author: Rafael Zamora Padrón, Scientific Director of Loro Parque Fundación

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