Myzomela albigula
The White-chinned Myzomela (*Myzomela albigula*) is a petite and strikingly marked honeyeater, a true jewel of New Guinea's montane forests. Averaging a mere 9-10 cm in length and weighing around 6-8 grams, it's one of the smaller honeyeaters in its range. Its plumage is a sleek contrast of glossy blackish upperparts, head, and throat, dramatically accented by a brilliant scarlet rump that often catches the eye. The definitive field mark, and the source of its name, is a distinct white chin p...
Found primarily in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, this species also inhabits forest edges, secondary growth, and high-altitude shrubland, typically between 1200 and 2800 meters elevation.
Primarily nectar from a variety of flowering plants, supplemented by small insects gleaned from foliage or hawked in flight.
The White-chinned Myzomela is a highly active and diurnal bird, constantly flitting among flowering trees and shrubs. Its foraging strategy is primarily nectarivorous, utilizing its slender, decurved bill and brush-tipped tongue to probe deep into blossoms for nectar, often hanging upside down to...
The White-chinned Myzomela is endemic to the vast island of New Guinea, with a widespread but fragmented distribution across both Indonesian Papua (Western New Guinea) and Papua New Guinea. It is found throughout the central mountain ranges, including the Snow Mountains, Star Mountains, and Owen ...
Least Concern
- The White-chinned Myzomela is one of the smallest honeyeater species, often weighing less than a quarter of an ounce. - Its brilliant red rump is a key identification feature, contrasting sharply with its otherwise dark upperparts. - This bird is endemic to the island of New Guinea, found nowhe...