Dusky myzomela
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Myzomela obscura

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. The Moluccan myzomela (M. simplex ), red-tinged myzomela (M. rubrotincta ), and Biak myzomela (M. rubrobrunnea ) were formerly considered conspecific, but was split as distinct species by the IOC in 2021.

Show More

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.

Show Less

Geography

Habits and Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

Population

References

1. Dusky myzomela Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dusky_myzomela
2. Dusky myzomela on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/103686571/118656631
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/704455

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About