New Caledonian myzomela

The New Caledonian myzomela (Myzomela caledonica) is a species of bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. The species is sometimes considered to be conspecific with (the same species as) the scarlet myzomela of Australia.

New Caledonian myzomela

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Meliphagidae
Genus: Myzomela
Species:
M. caledonica
Binomial name
Myzomela caledonica
Forbes, 1879

It is endemic to New Caledonia, where it occurs on the island of Grande Terre and the Isle of Pines. In New Caledonia its natural habitat is humid rainforest, stunted hill forest and savanna woodland. It has also moved into modified habitat such as plantations and gardens.[2]

It is around 11 cm in length and typically weighs 6.5 to 8 grams. The males are slightly heavier than the females. The plumage of this species also varies by sex, with the male having a scarlet head, breast and back, black wings and tail and a white belly and rump. The female has a dull brown head, breast and back with a slight red wash on the face, and duller wings and belly. Juvenile birds resemble the female.

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Myzomela caledonica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Higgins, Peter; Christidis, Les; Ford, Hugh (2008), "Family Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters)", in Josep, del Hoyo; Andrew, Elliott; David, Christie (eds.), Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13, Penduline-tits to Shrikes, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 642–643, ISBN 978-84-96553-45-3


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