Long-bearded honeyeater

Last updated

Long-bearded honeyeater
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Meliphagidae
Genus: Melionyx
Species:
M. princeps
Binomial name
Melionyx princeps
(Mayr & Gilliard, 1951) [2]
Synonyms

Melidectes princeps

The long-bearded honeyeater (Melionyx princeps), is a bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae.

Contents

This species was formerly placed in the genus Melidectes . It was moved to the resurrected genus Melionyx based on the results of a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2019. At the same time the common name was changed from "long-bearded melidectes" to "long-bearded honeyeater". [3] [4]

Description

The long-bearded honeyeater is 27 cm long. [5] It has a long, slender black bill and orange skin behind its eye. Its plumage is soot-black. It is distinguished from the similar sooty honeyeaters by its wispy white beard, which reaches the bend of its wing. [5]

Distribution and habitat

The honeyeater is endemic to Papua New Guinea, and is found only on Mt Giluwe, Mt Hagen, the Kubor Range, Mt Wilhelm, Mt Michael and in the Kaijende Highlands of Enga Province, 70 km NW of Mt Hagen. [5] Its range is about 19,000 km2. It lives at high altitudes in shrubland, grassland or moist forest. [5]

Behaviour

The honeyeaters inhabit the tree canopies, eating nectar, fruit and insects. They feed in pairs or small groups. They nest in June and July. The voice is unrecorded. [5]

Threats and conservation

The honeyeater is classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. [6] Where once it was thought that it was threatened by habitat loss, it is now believed that its ability to live on edges of fragmented land may mean that it is less at risk. Climate change remains a potential threat. It was estimated in 2000 that there were fewer than 10,000 mature individuals remaining. [5] No conservation measures are in place; however, there is a proposal to undertake a survey of forest blocks at suitable altitudes.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow honeyeater</span> Species of bird

The yellow honeyeater is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is endemic to Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridled honeyeater</span> Species of bird

The bridled honeyeater is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae with distinctive rein-like markings on its face that is endemic to northeastern Queensland. It is found in subtropical or tropical moist upland forests and subtropical or tropical rainforests, usually above 300 meters. In winter, it descends to lower forests including mangroves, and can sometimes be seen in more open habitats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fuscous honeyeater</span> Species of bird

The fuscous honeyeater is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is endemic to eastern Australia, where it inhabits subtropical and tropical dry forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-gaped honeyeater</span> Species of bird

The white-gaped honeyeater is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is endemic to Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scaly-crowned honeyeater</span> Species of bird

The scaly-crowned honeyeater is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is endemic to Indonesia, where it occurs in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belford's melidectes</span> Species of bird

Belford's melidectes, also known as Belford's honeyeater, is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is found in the New Guinea Highlands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

<i>Melidectes</i> Genus of birds

Melidectes is a genus of bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. All six species are endemic to New Guinea. The generic name is derived from the Greek meli for honey and dektes for beggar or receiver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huon melidectes</span> Species of bird

The Huon melidectes or Huon honeyeater is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sooty honeyeater</span> Species of bird

The sooty honeyeater is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is found in the New Guinea Highlands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Short-bearded honeyeater</span> Species of bird

The short-bearded honeyeater is a species of bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. It is found mainly in West Papua. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinnamon-browed melidectes</span> Species of bird

The cinnamon-browed melidectes, also known as the cinnamon-browed honeyeater, is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is found in the New Guinea Highlands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-browed melidectes</span> Species of bird

The yellow-browed melidectes, also known as the yellow-browed honeyeater, is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is found mainly in Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makira honeyeater</span> Species of bird

The Makira honeyeater, also known as the San Cristobal honeyeater, is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is endemic to Makira in the Solomon Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ornate melidectes</span> Species of bird

The ornate melidectes or ornate honeyeater is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is found in the New Guinea Highlands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

Gilliard's honeyeater or the Bismarck honeyeater, is a bird species in the family Meliphagidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Vosea. It is endemic to New Britain. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-headed honeyeater</span> Species of bird

The black-headed honeyeater is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is one of two members of the genus Melithreptus endemic to Tasmania. Its natural habitats are temperate forest and Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation. Despite its name, the black-headed honeyeater eats predominantly insects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardinal myzomela</span> Species of bird

The cardinal myzomela is a species of bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. It is named for the scarlet color of the male. It is found in American Samoa, New Caledonia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical mangrove forest. It frequents areas with flowers, such as gardens. This is a small, active bird, measuring about 13 cm (5.1 in) from bill to tail. Males are red and black in coloration, females are grayish-olive, sometimes with a red cap or red head. Its long, curved bill is especially adapted for reaching into flowers for nectar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kadavu honeyeater</span> Species of bird

The Kadavu honeyeater is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Meliphacator. It is endemic to the islands of Kadavu in Fiji. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and tropical mangrove forests.

<i>Melionyx</i> Genus of birds

Melionyx is a genus of bird in the family Meliphagidae.

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2018). "Melionyx princeps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T22704264A132071653. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22704264A132071653.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Mayr & Gillard. (1951).
  3. ↑ Andersen, M.J.; McCullough, J.M.; Friedman, N.R.; Peterson, A.T.; Moyle, R.G.; Joseph, L.; Nyári, A.S. (2019). "Ultraconserved elements resolve genus-level relationships in a major Australasian bird radiation (Aves: Meliphagidae)". Emu. 119 (3): 218–232. doi:10.1080/01584197.2019.1595662. S2CID   150056949.
  4. ↑ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (2020). "Honeyeaters". IOC World Bird List Version 10.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 BirdLife International (2010).
  6. ↑ IUCN Red List. (June, 2010).

Sources


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.