Sulphur-breasted myzomela

The sulphur-breasted myzomela (Myzomela jugularis), also known as the orange-breasted myzomela or orange-breasted honeyeater, is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae.

Sulphur-breasted myzomela
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Meliphagidae
Genus: Myzomela
Species:
M. jugularis
Binomial name
Myzomela jugularis
Peale, 1848

Description

male, Caqalai Island, Ovalau, Fiji Isles

The sulphur-breasted myzomela is 10 cm (4 in) long. The upperparts are black with a scarlet rump. The underparts are pale yellow-white. The curved bill and feet are black. The male has a scarlet crown.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The sulphur-breasted myzomela is endemic to Fiji, where it is the smallest resident avian species. It breeds on all the islands except Rotuma. It is a familiar bird in gardens as well as rural forest and mangrove habitats,[2] and also among coconut trees in disturbed areas.[3] Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.

Breeding

The small nest is composed of root fibres and hidden in shrubby vegetation. A clutch of two eggs, pale pink with brown spots, is laid, and then incubated for around 14 days.[2]

male, De Voeux Peak, Taveuni, Fiji Isles

References

  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Myzomela jugularis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Mercer, Robin (1967). A Field Guide to Fiji Birds. Suva: Government Press. p. 22.
  3. Steadman DW, Franklin J (2000). "A Preliminary Survey of Landbirds on Lakeba, Lau Group, Fiji". Emu. 100 (3): 227–35. doi:10.1071/MU9934. Retrieved 2008-06-25.


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