Smoky Honeyeater
Melipotes fumigatus
A medium-sized honeyeater of montane forest. Dark gray plumage, paler on the throat and underparts with pale edged feathers especially on the chest, giving an attractive pattern. The most prominent feature is the large yellow patch of bare facial skin, in a somewhat wobbly shape which can flush to red. Mainly feeds on fruit, and not shy, often perching out in the open. Similar species do not co-occur. Call, a 2-note, upslurred whistle “puu-wiii!” or a constantly repeated, sharp “wik!” notes.
Identification
The common smoky honeyeater has a bright orange splotch around both eyes. The bird's upper wing has brown tips, olive-colored edges, and a lighter shade of brown on the base of its wings. This bird has a brown and black base. The common smoky honeyeater has a brown belly with white crescent-shaped scaling and gray and brown legs. The best way to differentiate between males and females is to look at their size because male common smoky honeyeaters tend to be bigger than females.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Melipotes fumigatus
- Authority
- Meyer, AB, 1886
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Genus
- Melipotes
Range and habitat
Its habitat is in Southeast Asia, specifically in Eastern Indonesia and Central Papua New Guinea. It soars at altitudes around 1,400 to 3,400 meters. However, the females and males tend to live at different altitude levels. The females live much higher in the mountains, at around 2,160 to 2,490 meters. The males typically live anywhere between 1,830 and 2,160 meters. During the common smoky honeyeater's migration season, they descend to the mountains of Papua New Guinea, anywhere from 750 to 1,200 meters in altitude.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
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