Rote Myzomela
Myzomela irianawidodoae
A small honeyeater with a downcurved bill. Males blackish with a vivid red hood and rump and a paler belly. Females are brown with a paler belly and a noticeable red wash to the throat, forehead, and cheeks. Found singly or in pairs in lowland woodland, forest edge, and gardens, favoring the upper parts of trees. Unmistakable, as there are no other myzomelas in its limited range on Rote island. Vocalizations include a fast-paced sequence of staccato, metallic notes: “zip-zip-zip-zip-zip-zip…”.
Identification
The Rote myzomela (Myzomela irianawidodoae) is a species of Indonesian honeyeater endemic to the island of Rote. It is considered distinct from the Sumba myzomela based on voice. It was named after Iriana Joko Widodo, the first lady of Indonesia at the time of description. It has a scarlet head and nape, as well as lower back and tail, and a dark grey upper back and light grey stomach. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Taxonomy
Genus: Myzomela; Family: Meliphagidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Myzomela irianawidodoae
- Authority
- Prawiradilaga, Baveja, Suparno, Ashari, Ng, NSR, Gwee, Verbelen & Rheindt, 2017
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Genus
- Myzomela
Photos
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