Melipotes carolae
The Wattled Smoky Honeyeater (Melipotes carolae) is a captivating, medium-sized passerine bird belonging to the Meliphagidae family, known for its striking facial features. Measuring approximately 22-24 centimeters in length, its plumage is characterized by a dull, overall blackish-grey or "smoky" coloration, which provides excellent camouflage within its dimly lit forest habitat. The most distinctive field mark, and the origin of its common name, are the prominent, fleshy, bright orange-yell...
This species exclusively inhabits pristine montane cloud forests and upper montane moss forests at high elevations, ranging from 1,150 to 1,650 meters.
Its diet primarily consists of nectar gleaned from montane forest flowers, supplemented by insects caught on the wing or gleaned from foliage, and small fruits.
The Wattled Smoky Honeyeater is a diurnal species, active throughout the day, and likely roosts communally or solitarily within the dense canopy of its montane forest habitat. It exhibits typical honeyeater foraging strategies, primarily gleaning insects from foliage and probing flowers for necta...
The Wattled Smoky Honeyeater is strictly endemic to the Foja Mountains, a rugged, isolated range located in Papua, Indonesia, which forms part of the western half of the island of New Guinea. Its known distribution is highly localized, confined to specific areas within the northern Foja Mountains...
Near Threatened
- The Wattled Smoky Honeyeater was only scientifically discovered in 2005, making it one of the most recent avian discoveries of the 21st century. - It was found during a National Geographic expedition to the remote Foja Mountains of Papua, Indonesia, often referred to as a "Lost World. - The spe...