Observations of the kuramoo (vini peruviana) on Aitutaki Island, Cook Islands

Abstract

The Kuramoo, or Blue Lorikeet (Vini peruviana), is listed by IUCN as threatened. Formerly, the species was widespread on the Society and Tuamotu ISlands, but it became extinct on Tahiti, Moorea and other large islands in the Society Group early this century and is now also extinct on many other islands on which it once occurred. Today, in French Polynesia, it apparently survives only on two small islands in the Society Group and several in the Tuamotu Group. Elsewhere it is only on Aitutaki Island, Cook Islands, where, although Forshaw believed numbers to be low, other visitors have described it as common.