Meliarchus sclateri
The Makira Honeyeater (Meliarchus sclateri), an enchanting member of the Meliphagidae family, is an island endemic confined to Makira Island in the Solomon Islands. This medium-sized honeyeater, typically measuring around 18-20 cm in length, boasts a striking appearance characterized by olive-green upperparts that fade into a paler yellowish-green on its underparts. Its most distinctive feature is a prominent, relatively long, and strongly decurved black bill, perfectly adapted for probing in...
This species inhabits primary and secondary lowland forest, forest edges, and occasionally mature gardens or coconut plantations with dense undergrowth. It can be found from sea level up to at least 1200 meters elevation.
Its primary diet consists of nectar, extracted with its specialized bill, supplemented by insects gleaned from vegetation and small fruits. It primarily forages in the canopy and mid-story of its forest habitat.
The Makira Honeyeater is typically observed either singly or in pairs, actively foraging through the mid-story and canopy of its forest habitat. It employs a probing technique with its specialized bill to extract nectar from flowers, supplementing its diet by gleaning insects from foliage and bar...
The Makira Honeyeater is strictly endemic to Makira Island, one of the larger islands in the Solomon Islands archipelago. Its distribution spans across the entire island, from the lowland coastal areas to the highest mountain ridges. However, its presence is inextricably linked to the availabilit...
Near Threatened
- The Makira Honeyeater is the sole member of its genus, Meliarchus, making it a unique evolutionary branch within the vast honeyeater family. - Its scientific name, Meliarchus sclateri, honors Philip Lutley Sclater, a renowned British ornithologist who founded The Ibis, a prestigious ornithologi...