“The Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot (Loriculus beryllinus) is another endemic specie of Sri Lanka, found mainly in the southern half of the country. Apparently when at rest it also hangs upside down like bats do? Favorite food of the bird is the berries of the Osbeckia octandra which can be found in abundance at Peak Wilderness Sanctuary of Sri Lanka.
“This bird in the picture has not cleaned its’ beak after feasting on the berries of the plant. Osbeckia octandra is a member of the Melastomatacae plant family.”
KC Tsang
Singapore
25th March 2012
Note: According to Collars (1997), the Sri Lanka Hanging-parrot, also called Ceylon Hanging-parrot, feeds on the nectar of Erythrina, Salmalia and introduced Eucalyptus as well as the seeds of Casuarina, fruits of Syzygium and flowers as well as fruits of cultivated bananas.
Reference:
Collar, N. J. 1997. Family Columbidae Psittacidae (parrots). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 4. Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 280-477.
