Psittaculidae, Vigors, 1825

Andersen, Michael J., Fatdal, Lilly, Mauck III, William M. & Smith, Brian Tilston, 2017, An ornithological survey of Vanuatu on the islands of Éfaté, Malakula, Gaua, and Vanua Lava, Check List 13 (6), pp. 755-782 : 763

Psittaculidae

Charmosyna palmarum ( Gmelin, 1788) , Palm Lorikeet: Figure 2E

The Palm Lorikeet is endemic to Vanuatu and Temotu Province, Solomon Islands. We recorded this species only on Gaua Island, where it was fairly common. We noted it flying through camp daily and we observed small flocks (2–6 birds) foraging in a flowering palm near camp. Only 2 lorikeet species are known from Vanuatu: Charmosyna palmarum and Rainbow Lorikeet ( Trichoglossus haematodus ). The Charmosyna is easily identified by its smaller size and entirely green plumage, which makes it unmistakable from the sympatric and multicolored T. haematodus . Furthermore, its vocalizations are higherpitched and less full-bodied compared to, which made them readily identifiable by voice. Palm Lorikeet is a nomadic species that undergoes population fluctuations ( Medway and Marshall 1975, Bregulla 1992). Apparently, it is now most regularly seen in the Banks Group ( Dutson 2011), which fits the pattern of our only sightings on Gaua. Its IUCN status is Vulnerable. Four specimens exhibited light body molt, heavy fat loads, and stomach contents of flower parts.

Trichoglossus haematodus massena ( Linnaeus, 1771) , Rainbow Lorikeet