Gymnomyza aubryana
The Crow Honeyeater, or Gymnomyza aubryana, is a striking and critically endangered passerine endemic to the primary forests of New Caledonia. Measuring approximately 32-35 cm (12.5-14 inches) in length, this large honeyeater is uniformly sooty black with a glossy sheen, often appearing brownish in certain lights. Its most distinctive field marks are the conspicuous bright yellow-orange facial wattles, which are areas of bare skin around the eye and extending towards the gape, contrasting sha...
Found exclusively in humid primary forest, predominantly in montane and sometimes lowland areas, requiring undisturbed habitat for survival.
Omnivorous, primarily feeding on nectar from a variety of flowering trees, insects gleaned from foliage and bark, and various forest fruits.
Primarily diurnal, the Crow Honeyeater typically forages solitarily or in pairs, moving stealthily through all strata of the forest, from the understory to the canopy. Its foraging strategies include gleaning insects from foliage and bark, probing flowers for nectar, and plucking fruits. Due to i...
The Crow Honeyeater is strictly endemic to Grande Terre, the main island of New Caledonia, an archipelago in the South Pacific. Its historical distribution likely encompassed a wider range of humid primary forests, but its current presence is highly fragmented and restricted. Today, it is primari...
Critically Endangered
- The Crow Honeyeater is one of the most poorly known and critically endangered bird species in New Caledonia, with its remote habitat making study incredibly challenging. - Its distinctive yellow-orange facial wattles are unique among New Caledonian birds and serve as a key identification featur...