Black-headed Myzomela
Myzomela melanocephala
A distinctive myzomela with a relatively long downcurved bill and an entirely black face and throat forming a “mask.” Body yellowish and wings darker olive-green. Common in all habitats. Similar to Olive-backed Sunbird, but has a dark face and a pale throat, and is much duller yellow below. Voice is a sweet, high-pitched “chip-chip.”
Identification
The black-headed myzomela (Myzomela melanocephala) is a bird of the family Meliphagidae endemic to the central Solomon Islands.
Taxonomy
Genus: Myzomela; Family: Meliphagidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Myzomela melanocephala
- Authority
- (Ramsay, EP, 1879)
- 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
Other Birds
Abyssinian Slaty-Flycatcher
Melaenornis chocolatinus
A gray-brown flycatcher endemic to the Abyssinian highlands. Darker on the upperparts and paler below with a distinctive white eye. Found in montane habitats including woodland, forest edge, and lush gardens. Could be confused with African Gray or Pale Flycatchers, but found in different habitats, and easily identified by the pale eye. Found in the same areas as African Dusky Flycatcher, but larger, with a pale eye.
Buffy Fish-Owl
Ketupa ketupu
Large orange-brown owl with prominent “horns” and bright yellow eyes. Brighter-colored than other large horned owls in the region. Roosts in dense foliage, but at dusk and during the night it perches out on exposed waterside branches, riverbanks, and even jetties. Secretive by day, but can be common in areas with suitable habitat. Gives a variety of calls, including loud wailing screams and soft hollow hoots.
Dusky Tapaculo
Scytalopus fuscus
Often heard but rarely seen; a retiring little gray bird of bamboo thickets and other dense shrubbery at forest edges, along streams, and in wooded patches, mainly in drier areas. Can move very quickly through bamboo like a mouse. Plumage is slaty gray overall, sometimes with paler barring, but overall plainer than Magellanic Tapaculo without silvery-white head spots. Best identified by voice. Also compare with Ochre-flanked Tapaculo, which has limited range overlap.
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