Red-throated Lorikeet survey
An extensive survey for Red-throated Lorikeets on the Fijian islands of Viti Levu and Taveuni failed to encounter a single individual during 77 days of fieldwork between November 2001 and April 2002. This suggests that the species is even rarer than previously thought.
The Red-throated Lorikeet (Charmosyna amabilis) is classified as Endangered and is thought to occur on up to four islands. It has always been regarded as a rare species. It appears to be patchily distributed, with observations becoming much scarcer over the last few years. The last confirmed sighting occurred in the central highlands of Viti Levu in 1993, although there have been a number of more recent unconfirmed reports. Predation by introduced rats is thought to be a major factor in the decline.
Eclectus 12: pp. 2–4