Sulawesi Myzomela

Myzomela chloroptera

A small honeyeater with a short, downcurved bill. Striking male shows a scarlet head, breast, back, and rump, a contrastingly dark tail and wings, and a whitish belly. Female and juvenile are entirely gray-brown with a diagnostic red wash on the face and throat. Found singly or in pairs at upper levels of hill forest. Male could be mistaken for the similarly-shaped Crimson Sunbird, but is smaller, shorter-billed, and shorter-tailed, with a whitish belly. Song is a short, high-pitched warble, “chew-chew-wit-wit.” Also gives “chew” call notes.

Identification

The Sulawesi myzomela (Myzomela chloroptera) is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is endemic to Indonesia where it occurs in Sulawesi, Taliabu, Selayar and Tanah Jampea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Taxonomy

Genus: Myzomela; Family: Meliphagidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Myzomela chloroptera
Authority
Walden, 1872
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Meliphagidae
Genus
Myzomela

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend
unknown

Photos

Distribution

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