Seram Myzomela
Myzomela blasii
A small, drab brown songbird with an entirely blackish downcurved bill and subtle scaling on the throat. Restricted to Seram, Boano, and Ambon islands. A canopy-dweller in forest and forest edge in foothills and mountains, where it gathers in small flocks within flowering trees. Distinguished from Wakolo Myzomela by absence of red on face and by indistinct throat scaling. Differs from Seram Honeyeater in smaller size, all-dark bill, lack of heavy breast streaking and lack of pale cheek mark. Gives high-pitched “sis, sis, sis…” calls and chattering notes.
Identification
A small, drab brown songbird with an entirely blackish downcurved bill and subtle scaling on the throat. Restricted to Seram, Boano, and Ambon islands. A canopy-dweller in forest and forest edge in foothills and mountains, where it gathers in small flocks within flowering trees. Distinguished from Wakolo Myzomela by absence of red on face and by indistinct throat scaling. Differs from Seram Honeyeater in smaller size, all-dark bill, lack of heavy breast streaking and lack of pale cheek mark. Gives high-pitched “sis, sis, sis…” calls and chattering notes.
Taxonomy
Genus: Myzomela; Family: Meliphagidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Myzomela blasii
- Authority
- (Salvadori, 1882)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Genus
- Myzomela
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Miombo Tit
Melaniparus griseiventris
Typical tit, with a black, white, and gray pattern. The black bib continues as a dark stripe down the center of the underparts. There are white edgings on much of the wing and the outer tail. Found in miombo broadleaf woodland. Usually in pairs or small groups, and readily joins mixed-species flocks. Gives typical tit vocalizations including the classic “dree di-di-di” call and other whistled and chatty calls. Overlaps slightly in range with the similar Ashy Tit, but has a paler wing and underparts, and different habitat.
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
The largest nuthatch in North America, with distinctive white face, black cap, and blue-gray upperparts. Also note rusty lower belly and undertail coverts. Females have a slightly paler crown than males. Fairly common and widespread, usually in mature woodlands with large trees. Creeps along tree trunks and branches, often upside-down. Sometimes joins mixed flocks with other songbirds. Visits feeders. Listen for insistent yammering calls. Some subtle variation across range, mainly in the darkness of the sides and back, width of the black crown, and vocalizations.
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