Olive-crowned Flowerpecker
Dicaeum pectorale
A tiny bird of forest canopy from the lowlands to the mid-mountains in the west of New Guinea. Medium gray upperparts, pale gray underparts to whitish belly, and a whitish throat. Male has a bright red chest patch and a yellowish tinge to the head. Female has a broad pale stripe from the bill down to the center of the chest. Similar in size to a gerygone or Pygmy Longbill, but typical flowerpecker behaviour of flying vocally between the treetops. Voice, a buzzing “jig!” call, given regularly.
Identification
The olive-crowned flowerpecker is a small bird, 9 cm (3.5 in) in length and weighing 7–7.8 g (0.25–0.28 oz). Nominate males have olive green upperparts and crown, yellowish rumps, grey-green underparts, yellowish-white central abdomen and undertail coverts, white throats, and a large scarlet patch on breast. Females are similar to males, but lack the scarlet throat patch and have yellower center of abdomen and undertail coverts. Juveniles are similar to females, but have more olive underparts.<p>Vocalisations include a short, insect-like buzzing note, a single, high upslurred note, and a drawn-out chew, repeated at intervals.
Taxonomy
The olive-crowned flowerpecker is one of 41 species in the genus Dicaeum. It is sometimes considered to be conspecific with the red-capped flowerpecker, Louisiade flowerpecker, or the Halmahera flowerpecker.<p>The olive-crowned flowerpecker was first described by Saloman Müller in 1843. The generic name Dicaeum is from the Greek δικαιον (dikaion), most likely referring to the scarab beetle, while the specific epithet pectorale is from the Latin pectoralis (of the breast).<p>There are two recognised subspecies of the olive-crowned flowerpecker:
- Scientific name
- Dicaeum pectorale
- Authority
- Müller, S, 1843
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Dicaeidae
- Genus
- Dicaeum
Range and habitat
The olive-headed flowerpecker is found throughout lowlands in western New Guinea and on nearby islands. It inhabits forest canopy up to altitudes of 1,500 m (4,900 ft), although it can be found up to altitudes of 2,350 m (7,710 ft). It is common to uncommon throughout its range.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Like other flowerpeckers, the olive-headed flowerpecker feed mainly on fruit, especially figs and mistletoe. It also supplements its diet with spiders. Foraging is done in the canopy, either alone or in pairs.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
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