Edolisoma meyerii
The Geelvink Cicadabird, *Edolisoma meyerii*, is a medium-sized passerine, typically measuring around 20-22 cm in length. Males are largely glossy black, often with a subtle bluish or purplish sheen, and possess a dark bill and legs. Females, in contrast, display distinct sexual dimorphism, featuring a grey head and upperparts, often with fine barring on the underparts, differentiating them significantly from their male counterparts. A key field mark for both sexes is their relatively long, g...
Primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical moist lowland and montane forests, as well as forest edges and mature secondary growth. It is found from sea level up to approximately 1,500 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of insects, their larvae, and spiders, gleaned from foliage and bark. They occasionally supplement their diet with small fruits.
The Geelvink Cicadabird is a generally unobtrusive species, primarily active during daylight hours, foraging solitarily or in pairs high in the forest canopy. They employ a gleaning foraging strategy, carefully picking insects and larvae from foliage, bark, and twigs, often performing short sally...
The Geelvink Cicadabird is endemic to the island of New Guinea and a few small satellite islands within the region. Its primary distribution covers the major landmass of New Guinea, encompassing both the Indonesian provinces of West Papua and Papua, and the independent nation of Papua New Guinea....
Least Concern
- The "cicadabird" in its name refers to its high-pitched, often buzzing, cicada-like calls, not its diet. - Males and females exhibit such dramatic sexual dimorphism that they were historically sometimes mistaken for separate species. - Its nests are renowned for their intricate camouflage, ofte...