Philippine Hanging Parrot
Also known as: Colasisi / Kulasisi · Loriculus philippensis (scientific name) · Philippine hanging parakeet
Definition
The Philippine hanging parrot (Loriculus philippensis), known in Filipino and Cebuano as colasisi or kulasisi, is a small, predominantly green parrot about 14 centimetres long, endemic to the Philippines. It is named for its habit of sleeping hanging upside down like a bat, and males sport a bright orange-red crown patch, red rump, and a small blue throat mark, making it one of the country’s most charming native birds despite its modest plumage.
Identities
| Source | Identifier |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | Philippine hanging parrot |
| Wikidata | Q221225 |
| DBpedia | Philippine_hanging_parrot |
Also Known As
- Colasisi / Kulasisi
- Loriculus philippensis (scientific name)
- Philippine hanging parakeet
Examples and Analogies
The colasisi plays the ecological role of a living paintbrush darting through the canopy: like tiny nectar-feeders elsewhere, it moves busily from flowering tree to fruiting fig, pollinating and dispersing seeds — essentially a miniature, acrobatic version of the better-known lorikeets of Australia.
Usage Scenarios
- Species in avitourism checklists for birdwatchers visiting Philippine forests
- Subject of field research on parrot ecology and island biogeography
- Kept historically as a cagebird, prompting wildlife-law enforcement concerns
- Flagship for educating the public on endemic Philippine birds
Strategies
Conservation attention focuses on protecting lowland and lower montane forest, regulating the domestic cagebird trade, and clarifying the taxonomic status of island forms, since several subspecies on isolated islands may each require distinct conservation responses.
Security and Safety Measures
The species is protected under Philippine wildlife law, which prohibits capture and trade of wild birds without permits. Habitat protection through protected areas and local ordinances remains the principal safeguard for its populations.
Historical Context
Described to science in the eighteenth century from Philippine specimens, the hanging parrot became a familiar cagebird in the colonial era, celebrated in folklore for its chatter — “kulasisi” is also colloquially used for a gossip or paramour. Modern taxonomy has split several island populations, such as the Camiguin Sur hanging parrot, into full species.
Challenges and Controversies
Deforestation and trapping for the pet trade have reduced populations in many islands, while taxonomic splits create ongoing debate about how many species the “colasisi” complex actually contains and how each should be assessed for conservation priority.