Dusky Myzomela
A species of Cardinal Honeyeaters Scientific name : Myzomela obscura Genus : Cardinal Honeyeaters
Dusky Myzomela, A species of Cardinal Honeyeaters
Botanical name: Myzomela obscura
Genus: Cardinal Honeyeaters
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Lip Kee Yap , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The dusky myzomela or dusky honeyeater (Myzomela obscura) is a small, brown bird that is a common resident of the Aru Islands, southern New Guinea and northern and eastern Australia, where there are two separated populations, one in the Top End, another from Cape York Peninsula along the east coast as far south as the New South Wales border, though the species is rare south of Rockhampton. Around 12 to 15 cm (5 to 6 in) long, dusky myzomelas are dull-coloured but active and fast moving, often hovering to take insects or nectar from flowers in the upper storey. They inhabit a wide range of habitat types, including monsoonal forests and scrubs, woodlands, swamps and almost any area near water. Dusky myzomelas tend to be sedentary in sufficiently attractive areas, nomadic or migratory in less attractive districts, particularly in the southern part of their range. Breeding takes place in the dry season (typically March to September). The dusky myzomela normally constructs a small, neat cup nest out of fine bark, spiderwebs, and leaves, on a well-hidden branch high over water. Its eggs are white with fine reddish spots.
Size
15 cm
Feeding Habits
Dusky Myzomela feeds mainly on nectar and some arthropods, varying feeding heights with seasons. Typically forages in upper/middle canopies, probing flowers and gleaning insects, often upside-down. Occurs singly, in pairs, or groups, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks.
Habitat
The dusky Myzomela is found predominantly in primary and tall secondary forests, including edge habitats. It inhabits dense coastal or lowland rainforests, monsoon forests, mangroves, and adjacent savanna woodlands. This species is often associated with rainforest trees such as Ficus in the canopy and may be found in riparian forests, open woodlands with flowering trees, and ecotones between different forest types. In urban areas, the dusky Myzomela might frequent parks and gardens. Though not specified, these general habitat preferences suggest that the dusky Myzomela thrives in areas with vegetation providing ample food and shelter resources.
Dite type
Nectivorous
General Info
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Photo By Lip Kee Yap , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Honeyeaters Genus
Cardinal Honeyeaters Species
Dusky Myzomela