Myzomela sanguinolenta
The Scarlet Myzomela, a gem of the Australian avifauna, is a small, energetic honeyeater measuring approximately 10-11 cm (4-4.3 in) in length and weighing a mere 6-8 grams (0.21-0.28 oz). Adult males are breathtakingly vibrant, adorned with a brilliant scarlet head, nape, back, and rump, contrasting sharply with glossy black wings and tail, and a clean white belly. This striking red and black plumage makes the male unmistakable, especially when flitting among flowering plants. Females, in st...
Primarily inhabits eucalypt forests, woodlands, coastal scrub, and suburban gardens with native flowering plants, ranging from sea level to around 1200 meters elevation.
Feeds primarily on nectar from a variety of flowering plants, supplemented by insects (arthropods) caught on the wing or gleaned, and occasionally small fruits.
Highly active and diurnal, the Scarlet Myzomela is rarely still, constantly flitting and hovering among flowering branches to feed, often roosting solitarily in dense foliage overnight. Its foraging strategy is characterized by acrobatic maneuvers, expertly gleaning nectar with its specialized br...
The Scarlet Myzomela is endemic to eastern and southeastern Australia, boasting a relatively continuous and stable distribution. Its breeding range extends from the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland, south along the Great Dividing Range through New South Wales and Victoria, reaching as f...
Least Concern
- The Scarlet Myzomela is one of the smallest honeyeaters found in its Australian range. - Its scientific name, *sanguinolenta*, is Latin for 'blood-red,' a fitting description of the male's vibrant plumage. - Males perform spectacular 'helicopter' aerial displays, rapidly hovering and darting to...