This discussion was first published on Dec 1 2010 as part of the 2010-2011 Red List update, but remains open for comment to enable reassessment in 2013. Link to BirdLife species factsheet for Ornate Lorikeet Ornate Lorikeet Trichoglossus ornatus is listed as Least Concern on the basis that it does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under any of the IUCN criteria. The species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence less than 20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend has appeared to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (at least a 30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (fewer than 10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be at least 10% over ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). This species does not require primary forest, preferring forest edge, secondary habitats, and open areas, including human-altered habitats (Juniper and Parr 1998, Forshaw 2006). It has been described as common and locally very common (Juniper and Parr 1998, Forshaw 2006), with a total population of more than 50,000 individuals (Juniper and Parr 1998). However, information recently received by BirdLife suggests that this species is no longer common in northern and central parts of Sulawesi (per J. Gilardi in litt. 2010). It is reportedly trapped in national parks such as Tangkoko and Lore Lindu, and individuals of this species are infrequently seen in bird markets (per J. Gilardi in litt. 2010). In light of these observations, up-to-date information is requested on this species, including an estimate of the population size, the likely population trend over 18 years (estimate of three generations) and the severity of threats. Forshaw, J. M. (2006) Parrots of the world: an identification guide. Princeton, NJ/Oxford, UK: Princeton University Press. Juniper, T. and Parr, M. (1998) Parrots: a guide to the parrots of the world. Robertsbridge, UK: Pica Press.
This species seems to be locally fairly common in the Togian Islands, though this observation is based on a very short visit to only one of the islands.
The species still seems to be common on the Togian islands and in the lowland forest at Torout (Bogani Nani NP) and to a lesser extent at Tangkoko. The species seems tolerant of, and maybe even prefers secondary forest / forest edge but they are noticeably commoner in the extreme lowland forest then in the mountains and these lowland forests are most at threat of clearance.