Definition

Noun: 1. A type of small, brightly colored parrot: A lory is a small to medium-sized parrot native to Australasia (including Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific islands). They are known for their extremely vibrant plumage and a specialized brush-tipped tongue adapted for their diet.

Usage

The word "lory" is used to refer specifically to these parrots, often in contexts related to zoology, birdwatching, or aviculture (bird keeping). It is a countable noun.

Examples

• "The rainbow lory is one of the most colorful birds in the world."
• "We saw a flock of lories feeding on flowering trees in the sanctuary."
• "Her research focuses on the feeding behavior of the red lory."

Advanced Usage

• Taxonomic Context: In ornithology, "lory" often refers to species within the tribes Loriini and Lorini, which are part of the parrot family Psittaculidae. They are closely related to lorikeets, with the distinction sometimes being based on size (lories are often stockier with shorter tails).

Variants and Related Words

• Lorikeet (noun): A very closely related type of parrot, often smaller and with a longer, more tapered tail than a lory. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
  • Example: "The scaly-breasted lorikeet is common in eastern Australian cities."
• Lory/Lorikeet: This combined term is used to refer to the entire group of these nectar-feeding parrots.

Synonyms

• Parrot: A broader term for all members of the order Psittaciformes, which includes lories.
• Nectar-feeding parrot: A descriptive term highlighting their primary diet.

Different Meanings

The word "lory" does not have other common meanings in modern English. It refers exclusively to this type of bird.

Noun

1. small brightly colored Australasian parrots having a brush-tipped tongue for feeding on nectar and soft fruits