Crimson-hooded Myzomela
Myzomela kuehni
A small gray honeyeater with a downcurved bill, a white belly, and a contrasting red head and rump. Males show more red on head than females; red extends to breast on male birds from Wetar, confined to throat in Alor. These forms may represent two species. On Wetar, found in lowland forest, edge, and gardens; on Alor, inhabits mountain forest. Singles, pairs, or groups usually found high in the trees. Unmistakable in its limited range in the Lesser Sundas. Song is a thin, high-pitched “titititititit.” Also gives “tew” notes and twittering sounds.
Identification
A small gray honeyeater with a downcurved bill, a white belly, and a contrasting red head and rump. Males show more red on head than females; red extends to breast on male birds from Wetar, confined to throat in Alor. These forms may represent two species. On Wetar, found in lowland forest, edge, and gardens; on Alor, inhabits mountain forest. Singles, pairs, or groups usually found high in the trees. Unmistakable in its limited range in the Lesser Sundas. Song is a thin, high-pitched “titititititit.” Also gives “tew” notes and twittering sounds.
Taxonomy
Genus: Myzomela; Family: Meliphagidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Myzomela kuehni
- Authority
- Rothschild, 1903
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Genus
- Myzomela
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Blackcap Babbler
Turdoides reinwardtii
A mostly brownish babbler with a black head and a white eye. The underparts are pale in the west and become increasingly darker in the eastern part of the range. Found in moist woodland, dense savanna, scrub, gallery forest, forest edge, cultivated areas, and gardens. Almost always in groups, which feed by hopping across the ground. Similar in behavior, shape, size, and overall brown coloration to Brown Babbler, but easily separated by the black head and the lack of a contrastingly paler rump. Calls include a raspy babbling, nasal calls, and a dry clucking, all usually given by a whole group in chorus.
Island Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma insularis
The largest and darkest scrub-jay, identifiable solely based on range: found exclusively on Santa Cruz Island off southern California. Similar to California Scrub-Jay but larger, with darker back and darker mask. Inhabits scrubby woodland habitat, often on or near the ground. Typically found in small family groups.
Tropical Boubou
Laniarius major
Robust black-and-white bushshrike. There is a pale cinnamon wash on the belly and a white stripe across the top of the wing. Found in dense microhabitats within forest, woodland, thickets, and gardens. Not particularly shy, but spends most of its time in dense cover, usually in pairs. Highly vocal bird with a variety of calls. The song is a synchronized duet of hollow hoots from the male and ratcheting calls from the female. Has a very similar color pattern to other boubous, but its underparts are paler than those of Southern Boubou and darker than those of Swamp Boubou. Has a white stripe on the wing, unlike Zanzibar Boubou.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.