New Ireland Myzomela

Myzomela pulchella

A tiny curve-billed myzomela. Male is red-faced with olive-green upperparts and buffy cream underparts. Found in montane forest above 200 meters of elevation, but more commonly above 500 meters of elevation. Male unlikely to be misidentified. Female diagnosed by mostly brown plumage and reddish head, unlike the much darker blackish Bismarck Black Myzomela.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Myzomela pulchella
Authority
Salvadori, 1891
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Meliphagidae
Genus
Myzomela

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
unknown

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Yellow-throated Antwren

Yellow-throated Antwren

Myrmotherula ambigua

Tiny antwren, heavily streaked with black and white above, solid yellow below. Females have a tawny-colored head. Note the two white wingbars. Inhabits the canopy and subcanopy of humid forest, including white sand forest; almost always associated with mixed-species flocks. The song is a monotonous repetition of “pew-pew” notes. The similar male of Pygmy Antwren has a white throat, while females are inseparable.

Sunda Cuckooshrike

Sunda Cuckooshrike

Coracina larvata

Chunky, dark gray bird with a dark face. Dark face patch is more extensive on males than females; males on Sumatra have entirely black heads. Inhabits moist foothill and montane forest. Moves through the upper levels of forest, often with other species in mixed flocks. Gives various high squeaky calls, including an inflected “weee-tee!”.

Jackson's Widowbird

Jackson's Widowbird

Euplectes jacksoni

A medium-sized dark widowbird. Breeding males are unmistakable, with a long downcurved tail and rufous shoulders. Non-breeding males lose their long tail and become streaky and brown, but keep the shoulder pattern. Females are brown and streaky year-round. Breeds in montane grassland, but sometimes found in cultivation and other open habitats. Otherwise usually in flocks, especially when not breeding. Males give an odd display in which they jump straight into the air. Females could be confused with many other species, but even during the non-breeding season are usually associated with males, which can be identified by their shoulder pattern. Non-breeding males could be confused with non-breeding male Fan-tailed Widowbird, but have a more restricted and less orange shoulder patch. The main vocalization is a dry “zrit.”  

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