Vernal Hanging-Parrot
Loriculus vernalis
Also known as: Indian Lorikeet
About This Species
A small, mostly green parrot of forest and forest edge across South and Southeast Asia, most distinctive for its habit of roosting and sometimes resting by hanging upside down like a bat. It feeds quietly on fruit, nectar and blossom high in the canopy, often going unnoticed until it gives a thin, buzzy call in flight or a patch of red on the rump catches the light. Fruiting or flowering canopy trees in the early morning are the best places to look up and scan.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Because it feeds high in the canopy, viewing is best done from a distance with binoculars rather than approaching the tree itself, which offers little practical benefit and can disturb a feeding group.
- Avoid disturbing roost sites, particularly at dusk when birds are settling into the hanging posture that gives the species its name.
- Wild parrots across its Asian range are frequently targeted for the pet trade, so never approach with intent to capture or encourage others to do so.
LCAvesPsittaciformesPsittacidae
Seasonal Activity
155,083 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
Photo
(c) prajath, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.