Myzomela obscura
The Dusky Myzomela (Myzomela obscura) is a small, active honeyeater, typically measuring 12-14 cm in length and weighing 7-12 grams. Its plumage is generally an unassuming dusky brown to greyish-brown, often paler on the underparts, giving it a rather subtle appearance compared to its more vibrantly colored relatives. A faint reddish ocular ring around the eye can be present, serving as a key, albeit often inconspicuous, field mark. There is no significant sexual dimorphism, with males and fe...
Primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests, mangroves, and paperbark swamps, extending into some modified areas with native flora, generally from sea level to mid-altitudes.
Primarily nectar from a wide variety of native flowering plants (e.g., eucalypts, banksias, melaleucas), supplemented with insects (spiders, ants, small beetles, larvae) and occasionally small fruits. Forages by probing flowers, gleaning from foliage, and hawking insects.
The Dusky Myzomela is a highly active and agile diurnal species, constantly flitting among foliage and flowers. Its foraging strategy primarily involves probing flowers for nectar, gleaning insects from leaves and bark, and occasionally hawking insects in flight, often performing impressive hover...
The Dusky Myzomela exhibits a broad and relatively continuous distribution across northern and eastern Australia, extending from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, across the 'Top End' of the Northern Territory, throughout Cape York Peninsula, and southwards along the Queensland coast to ...
Least Concern
- Despite its 'Dusky' name, this honeyeater is incredibly active and agile, constantly moving among branches and flowers. - It is one of the more widespread Myzomela species, adapting to a diverse range of forest and woodland types across its extensive range. - The Dusky Myzomela plays an importa...