Pycnopygius cinereus
The Marbled Honeyeater, *Pycnopygius cinereus*, is a distinctive medium-sized passerine, typically measuring 18-22 cm in length and weighing between 28-34 grams. Its most striking feature is the unique 'marbled' or scaled pattern on its buffy-white underparts, formed by dark grey feather edges. The head, neck, and upper breast are a uniform grey, contrasting with a clean white throat and olive-grey upperparts and wings. Key identification marks include its relatively stout, slightly decurved ...
Inhabits humid tropical and subtropical lowland to mid-montane forests, including primary and secondary growth, forest edges, and disturbed areas, typically from sea level up to 1,800 meters.
Primarily feeds on nectar and arthropods, obtained by probing flowers and gleaning from foliage, supplemented by small fruits and berries.
The Marbled Honeyeater is a diurnal species, usually observed singly or in pairs, though it may occasionally join mixed-species foraging flocks. It forages actively and deliberately in the canopy and sub-canopy layers of the forest. Its foraging repertoire includes gleaning insects and other arth...
The Marbled Honeyeater is endemic to the island of New Guinea and several of its adjacent satellite islands. Its distribution spans both Indonesian Papua (covering the provinces of West Papua and Papua) and the independent nation of Papua New Guinea. Within this extensive range, it is found from ...
Least Concern
- The Marbled Honeyeater is one of only three species in the genus *Pycnopygius*, all of which are endemic to the island of New Guinea. - Its distinctive 'marbled' pattern on the underparts is unique among honeyeaters, making it relatively easy to identify. - This species is primarily a canopy sp...