Tagula Honeyeater
Meliphaga vicina
A little-known, medium-sized honeyeater of foothill forest and edge on Tagula in the Louisade Islands. Found only in a narrow altitudinal range and considered data deficient. Olive coloration with a fairly long, heavy bill, round, yellow ear spot and grayish eye. The only honeyeater of this type on Tagula Island. Call, a “chup” note like other closely-related species. Also, musical “wee-you” and “chew-wit” calls.
Identification
The Tagula honeyeater (Meliphaga vicina) is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is endemic to Tagula Island.
Taxonomy
Genus: Meliphaga; Family: Meliphagidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Meliphaga vicina
- Authority
- (Rothschild & Hartert, EJO, 1912)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Genus
- Meliphaga
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Streak-headed Woodcreeper
Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Medium-size, fairly common woodcreeper of tropical lowlands. Favors forest edge, open woodland, hedges with tall trees. Feeds on trunks and larger branches, often spiraling up one trunk and flying low to the next tree. Note the relatively slender and slightly decurved bill, distinct but fine pale streaking on the head and back. Easily confused with larger Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, which is more of a forest bird and has a bigger and straighter bill.
Yellowish White-eye
Zosterops nigrorum
A small bird of lowland and foothill forest and more open wooded areas. Olive-green above and bright yellow below with a yellow patch between the eye and bill. Note the broad white eye-ring. Usually found in single- or mixed-species flocks where it is a core species. Occurs together with Lowland and locally with Mountain White-eyes, but Yellowish has a yellow rather than pale-gray belly. Song consists of jumbled whistles. Calls include a typical white-eye “tweet” or trill.
Maguari Stork
Ciconia maguari
Unmistakable species given its size, very long bill, and red legs. Its black flight feathers and tail contrast with its largely white body, resembling European White Stork. Note the bare red face and piercing yellow eyes. Mostly found in open wetland areas including swamps, pastures, rice fields, and mudflats.
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