Edolisoma tricolor
The Malaita Cicadabird, *Edolisoma tricolor*, is a striking medium-sized passerine endemic to Malaita Island in the Solomon Islands, belonging to the Campephagidae family, which includes cuckooshrikes and trillers. Males are notably distinct, displaying a glossy black head and upperparts, contrasting sharply with clean white underparts, and sometimes a grayish wash on flanks, measuring approximately 20-22 cm in length and weighing 30-40 grams. Females present a dramatically different plumage,...
Found primarily in the canopy and subcanopy of primary lowland and hill forests, as well as secondary growth and disturbed woodlands on Malaita Island, typically from sea level up to elevations around 800-1000 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, its diet consists of a variety of arthropods including cicadas, caterpillars, beetles, and other insects, which are gleaned from foliage and bark or caught in aerial sallies.
The Malaita Cicadabird is a diurnal and arboreal species, spending most of its active hours foraging high in the forest canopy and subcanopy. It employs a gleaning foraging strategy, meticulously searching foliage and bark for insects, often making short sallies to snatch prey in flight. While de...
The Malaita Cicadabird is strictly endemic to Malaita Island, one of the larger islands in the Solomon Islands archipelago. Its distribution spans across the island's forested regions, from low-lying coastal areas up to mid-elevations. It inhabits both primary lowland and hill forests, as well as...
Least Concern
- The Malaita Cicadabird is a true island endemic, found nowhere else in the world except Malaita Island in the Solomon Islands. - It exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism, with males displaying stark black and white plumage, while females are distinctly barred brown and white. - Its common name, 'C...