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Massena is
found only in the Bismarck Archipelago (near New
Guinea), the Solomons and throughout Vanuatu except Futuna and Lopevi.Growing to around 250mm including a 100mm tail, these striking coloured lories are mainly bright green with a red breast, bluish-mauve head and red-orange beak. They frequent flowering trees but their movements are usually erratic as they travel, even between islands, in search of food.
Living primarily in wooded habitat in lowland areas, they are sometimes found in steep terrain where favourite trees or shrubs are flowering. They prefer habitat other than true forest or mangroves however and are found in trees bordering watercourses surrounding paddocks, in suburban gardens and in nearly every coconut plantation.
The
nectar and pollen
from these coconut palm flowers form their staple diet and in return
the lories are important pollinators of these trees. Other sources of
food include the Indian Coral tree, the African Tulip tree and the Sago
palm. They also enjoy the soft fruit of the Panama Cherry tree
and
ripening fruit from domestic orchards. Maize and sorghum crops are also
targeted. 
When alarmed while feeding, these generally
noisy and active lories
will remain motionless in the trees and turn their backs on the
intruder in camouflage while eyeing them over their shoulder. They
generally travel in pairs or small flocks and are identified by their
bright colours, and shrill chatter. The flight of these parrots is
swift with rapid wing beats. They are agile when flying short distances
through the forest canopy while for longer flights they fly high. The
Massena’s Lorikeet is listed in the Cites Appendix II as endangered and
may need measures taken in Vanuatu, for their future protection.
Massena’s Lorikeet
Please Note: All prices are in US Dollars
| Strip of 4 stamps | $4.00 | ||
| Miniature Sheet | $8.00 | ||
| Sheetlet | $16.00 | ||
| First Day Cover | $5.00 |
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Collectors Notes: |  |
For more information please contact: |
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| Designer: | Jean Richard Lisiak, Paris, France | The
Manager, Philatelic Bureau, Vanuatu Post, Port Vila, Vanuatu Tel. + 678 22000 Fax + 678 23900 E mail: philatelic@vanuatupost.vu |
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| Printer: | Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand | |||
| Process: | Offset lithography | |||
| Stamp Size: | 42.90 mm x 30.00 mm, horizontal | |||
| Miniature Sheet Size: | 200.0 mm x 140.0 mm, 2 x sets horizontal | |||
| Sheetlet Size: | 189mm x 180mm, 4 x sets horizontal | |||
| Perforation Gauge: | 13.2 x 2 | |||
| Paper: | 114 gsm Tullis Russell gummed stamp paper | |||
| Denominations: | 40, 60, 140 and 160 vatu | |||
| Period of Sale: | 25 May 2011 for a period of 2 years |