• Scientific Name: Pseudeos fuscata                  (Click on photo to enlarge)
• Common Name/s: DUSKY LORY
• Sub Species in country / area of origin:  None, but has two colour phases - yellow and red.
• Origin / Distribution:  New Guinea and some islands.
• Habitat In Wild:  Possibly nomadic, occupying diverse habitats including plantations and urban areas.
• Status In Wild:  Secure
• Status In (Australian) Captivity:  Rare, but numbers are increasing.
• Age To Sexual Maturity: ?
• Lifespan (estimate): approx. 20 or more years
• Sexing:  Monomorphic / Dimorphic  Surgical or DNA sexing may be required.
• Mutations:  None
• Availability:  Rare, but numbers are increasing.
• Temperament:  Can be very noisy birds. May disturb and annoy nearby neighbours.
• Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $3000
• Description Of Adults:

1. Length: Approx. 250 mm (or approx. 10 inches)
2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo above.
3. Weight: Approx. 140 - 160 gms (or approx 5.5 - 6 ozs)
4. Photo courtesy of Burwood Pets and Birds (03) 9809 1212

Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders Only.

Government Regulations & By-Laws: Refer to " Government Laws " web page.

Housing Requirements: Refer to " Lorikeets & Lories " web page for general details on the housing of Lorikeets & Lories or read on for specific details for this parrot.

Require an aviary of about 3 metres ( 10 feet) long and about 1 metre (3 - 3.5 feet) wide.  A suspended aviary of the same length is suitable but with a height of about 1200mm ( 4 feet) high.

Diet / Feeding: Refer to " Lorikeets & Lories " web page for general details on the feeding of Lorikeets & Lories or read on for specific details for this parrot.

As per "Lorikeets & Lories" web page.

The flowers from non-toxic native trees and shrubs such as Grevillia, Callistemon and eucalypt can be placed in the aviary for the birds to play with and obtain some nutritional value.

Nesting: A basic overview only. Dimensions are typical / average and can vary widely, influenced by the owner's preferences and the birds preferences. Parent bird's preferences can also be influenced by the size and type of nest-box / log in which the bird was hatched and reared. If space allows, offering a choice of sizes and types of logs or nest-boxes, and placed in various locations within the aviary, can allow the parent birds to make their own choice. Once a pair has chosen a specific nest-box/log and been successful in it, offer that one to them each breeding season. Try and keep that one for their exclusive use. Once a pair has chosen its log or nest-box, the other ones can generally be removed. If the "spare" boxes are to be removed and moved to another flight, ensure the log / nest-box is cleaned to ensure the receptacle has the minimal contamination of mites, parasites and pathogens.

• Nesting months:
• Log / Nest-box:
  • Length / depth  300 - 500mm (or approx. 12 - 20 inches)
  • Log internal diameter approx. 200 mm. (or approx. 8 inches)
  • Nest-box internal dimensions approx. 200 mm square (or approx. 8 inches square)
  • Diameter of entrance hole approx. 50 - 60 mm (or approx. 2 - 2.5 inches)
  • Inspection hole (square or round) 100 mm (or approx  4 inches)
  • A removable top / lid can be a useful access point for inspections and for cleaning.
  • Location and height of log / nest-box = in a sheltered part of the aviary and at about 1.5 - 1.8 metres height, but not too close to the roof to cause heat problems in the hotter months.
  • Angle of log or nest box =  Usually a vertical nestbox.
• Nesting log / nest-box material: Decomposed non-toxic saw dust, wood shavings or other suitable material/s.
• Who incubates the egg/s: Hen / cock / both share.

Nest boxes are easy to clean, cheap and easy to replace when they become soiled or damaged.
The nest box is left in the aviary or suspended cage year round as Lories and lorikeets will roost in the nest during the non-breeding season.
Timber nest-boxes generally require a climbing structure attached inside the box below the entrance hole. Both logs and nests need an entrance hole/opening of between 50 - 80mm diameter and about 100 mm (about 4 inches) from the top. The exact size of the entrance hole depends on the size of the species. Many species of parrots like the entrance hole to be just big enough to squeeze through. An appropriate size entrance hole will help to give the birds a feeling of security and confidence to effectively start and raise a clutch of young.

More details on parrot nestboxes/logs and a selection of parrot nestbox/log photos can be found on the "nests", "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" web pages.  Click on "Up" then "Nests" then "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" in the navigation bars. 

Breeding: Egg Colour White.  Clutch/s per year 1 or 2.  Eggs per nest  2 - 4.  Incubation approx. 24 days.  Fledge approx. 10 weeks.  Independent approx. another ? weeks.

Young can be hand raised for the pet or companion bird trade.

Artificial incubation and hand rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site. It is too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.

Health Issues: Refer to "Avian Health Issues" web page for information and references.

• Worming and parasite control and Quarantine requirements of new bird/s or sick bird/s are considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web site. Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page option.
• Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace. Keep updating your knowledge and skills.

General References: Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.

Specific References:

• Australian Aviculture
• A/A Vol 47 No. 6 Jun 1993 Page 136-138 (Spain) (Inc photo)
• Australian Birdkeeper
• ABK Vol 12 Issue 10. Aug-Sept 1999 Page 498-500

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