Dark-brown Honeyeater
Lichmera incana
Mostly dull brown with slightly brighter olive wings and a grayish head. A pale buffy-white line runs below the eye to the base of the bill, which is dark and slightly decurved. Found in all habitats. Unlike any other honeyeaters in its range. Voice is most commonly a loud “tchoo-tchoo-tchoo” and a mixed warbling.
Identification
The grey-eared honeyeater is 13 to 17 cm long with the males being larger than the females. The plumage is mainly dull green-brown above and grey with an olive tint below. The cheeks are silvery-grey, and the crown is dark grey. The black bill is long and slightly downcurved; the legs and feet are blue-grey. Juveniles are paler than the adults without the silvery cheeks.<p>They are noisy birds which begin calling before dawn. They have a harsh tchoo-tchoo-tchoo call and a warbling song.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Lichmera incana
- Authority
- (Latham, 1790)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Genus
- Lichmera
Range and habitat
It is a common bird across most of its range and occurs in the lowlands and low hills in a variety of habitats, including forest, scrub, mangroves, and gardens. There are five subspecies; the nominate subspecies L. i. incana is found on Grande Terre, the main island of New Caledonia. L. i. poliotis and L. i. mareensis are found on the Loyalty Islands to the north-east of New Caledonia. L. i. flavotincta and L. i. griseoviridis occur in Vanuatu.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Grey-eared honeyeaters feed from the shrub layer up to the canopy, moving from branch to branch in search of flowers from which they take nectar and pollen. They also feed on insects and spiders, searching among leaves or making short flights into the air to catch them. They will sometimes hover in front of flowers or spider webs looking for food.<p>The breeding season usually lasts from October to February. The nest is made mainly of grass and plant fibres, held together by spider webs. It is built in the fork of a branch in a tree or bush. Two eggs are laid; these are white with a few reddish spots and are incubated for 14 days. The young birds are fed on insects and spiders and leave the nest after 12 days.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Pemba Green-Pigeon
Treron pembaensis
A medium-sized, chunky pigeon that has an olive-green back and a gray head and underparts. Flight is fast and direct. Sometimes seen alone, though more often in small groups. Found in forest, forest edge, plantations, and villages, often around fruiting trees. Similar to other green-pigeons, but easily separated by range, as it is the only green-pigeon on the island of Pemba. Voice is a quiet but maniacal series of sputters, whistles, and cackles.
Mongolian Gull
Larus mongolicus
A large gull that breeds mainly inland, and migrates to the coast for the winter. Adults have a fairly pale gray back, pale eye, and dull yellow legs that can have a hint of pink coloration. Takes four years for immatures to progress from mostly brown to fully white and gray adult plumage; intermediate plumages are often mottled and messy. Variable plumage can make identification tricky. Occurs inland and along the coast, frequenting river mouths, harbors, beaches, lakes, and ponds. Often forms flocks with other gulls. Very similar to Vega Gull, and separation often difficult, but has a smaller head and bill; adults also generally have yellower legs.
Lesser Green Leafbird
Chloropsis cyanopogon
Male and females are bright green overall, but the male has a black-and-blue throat while the female sometimes shows a slight yellow tinge to the throat. The Lesser Green Leafbird is very similar in appearance to the Greater Green Leafbird, but note that the male Lesser Green Leafbird has a smaller black mask and traces of yellow on the forehead. Lack of blue traces in the wings distinguishes this species from the otherwise similar Blue-winged and Bornean Leafbirds. Inhabits lowland primary and secondary broadleaf evergreen forests, as well as adjacent plantations and large parks. Joins mixed-species foraging flocks, usually in the canopy.
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