Collared loryVini solitariaWhere and when to see them

The collared lory is a small, brilliantly coloured parrot native to Fiji. Its scarlet face and underparts, green wings and violet crown make it conspicuous when sunlight catches a feeding flock. Despite this colouring, birds can disappear surprisingly well among flowers and foliage. It occupies both native woodland and modified landscapes, making it one of Fiji's more approachable endemic birds where suitable flowering trees remain.

Size

20-22 cm long

Weight

70-90 g

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Collared lories travel in pairs or small, noisy groups, often announcing themselves with sharp calls before they become visible. They climb through flowering crowns, hanging at awkward angles to reach nectar and pollen. Fast, direct flights connect feeding trees, and local movements follow changing blossom supplies. Like many parrots, they nest in cavities, with breeding opportunities depending partly on the availability of suitable trees and food. Collared lories travel in pairs or small, noisy groups, often announcing themselves with sharp calls before they become visible. They climb through flowering crowns, hanging at awkward angles to reach nectar and pollen. Fast, direct flights connect feeding trees, and local movements follow changing blossom supplies. Like many parrots, they nest in cavities, with breeding opportunities depending partly on the availability of suitable trees and food. These movements can cover significant distances daily, dictated by the patchy and temporal availability of flowering trees. Pairs maintain strong bonds and often preen each other while resting.

• Its brush-tipped tongue helps collect pollen as well as nectar.
• The species is native only to Fiji.
• It can feed while hanging upside down from slender branches.
• Its scientific placement has changed, and older references often call it Phigys solitarius.

Observation is possible throughout the year where the species occurs. May to October generally offers less humid conditions for shore excursions, but flowering trees matter more than a fixed calendar. This travel window should not be interpreted as a single, island-wide breeding season. Observation is possible throughout the year where the species occurs. May to October generally offers less humid conditions for shore excursions, but flowering trees matter more than a fixed calendar. This travel window should not be interpreted as a single, island-wide breeding season. Breeding activity has been noted year-round, peaking when abundant food resources are available, rather than being tied to a specific season. Early morning and late afternoon are typically the most active times for feeding and vocalization, making these periods ideal for observation.

This lory uses lowland and hill forest, forest edges, plantations and tree-rich gardens across several Fijian islands. Flowering coconut palms and other nectar sources can attract birds near the coast, although their distribution is not uniform among islands or settlements. This lory uses lowland and hill forest, forest edges, plantations and tree-rich gardens across several Fijian islands. Flowering coconut palms and other nectar sources can attract birds near the coast, although their distribution is not uniform among islands or settlements. It prefers areas with diverse flowering plants and can adapt to modified landscapes, but relies on native forest patches for nesting and shelter. The species is found on Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, Koro, Gau, Ovalau, and some smaller islands, demonstrating a wide but patchy distribution across the archipelago.

Nectar and pollen are central foods, gathered with a specialised brush-tipped tongue. Soft fruits and occasional small invertebrates supplement this floral diet. Birds move between plant species as flowering changes, so a productive tree may be busy briefly and quiet later. Nectar and pollen are central foods, gathered with a specialised brush-tipped tongue. Soft fruits and occasional small invertebrates supplement this floral diet. Birds move between plant species as flowering changes, so a productive tree may be busy briefly and quiet later. They are particularly fond of the nectar from coconut, drala (Erythrina variegata), and banana flowers. This specialized diet makes them important pollinators for many native Fijian plants.

Common name

Collared lory

Scientific name

Vini solitaria

Animal group

Birds

Size

20-22 cm long

Weight

70-90 g

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

Its red face and belly, green wings and violet crown distinguish it from Fiji's predominantly green native parrots. Its red face and belly, green wings and violet crown distinguish it from Fiji's predominantly green native parrots. The purple-blue crown extends from the forehead to the nape, contrasting sharply with the bright green back. Juveniles have a duller plumage, with less distinct violet on the head and a more muted red on the face and underparts.