Bismarck Black Myzomela Myzomela pammelaena Scientific name definitions

11–12·7 cm; male average 17 g, female average 14·6 g, male 12–14 g (hades, ramsayi), male 13·2–20 g (other races). Male nominate race is entirely glossy black, except for blackish-grey axillaries and underwing-coverts; iris brown to blackish; bill black; legs dark grey to black. Female is very like male but slightly smaller and a little duller. Juvenile is wholly dusky brown, slightly browner below; immature probably black with patches of brownish-grey admixed. Races differ in size and underwing colour: ernstmayri has black coloration very similar to that of nominate, perhaps with less gloss, adult male slightly larger than in nominate, with bill stronger and, on average, longer; nigerrima is similar to previous but still larger (male wing 77–79 mm, ernstmayri 75–77 mm), also deeper black (with darker greyish-black bases of feathers), male glossier; hades is smaller than nominate, with whitish axillaries and underwing-coverts; ramsayi resembles last (male wing for the two combined 65–69mm).

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Virtually all available vegetated habitats: primary forest, secondary growth, shrubland, coconut plantations, gardens and around human habitation. On Long I in more open coastal habitats, including fruit gardens, and commonly in crowns of coconut palms. On Manus, occurs on coast and up to 3 km inland, in tall isolated trees. Recorded from sea-level to summits on Long I (maximum elevation 1300 m), Tolokiwa I (c. 1300 m) and Crown I (c. 570 m).

Probably largely resident, with local movements. Probably now established on Manus, where formerly recorded as a vagrant or occasional visitor from nearby islets, some of which are as little as c. 1 km away.

Nectar and insects. Forages from understorey and shrub layer to canopy, by gleaning and probing; commonly in flowering shrubs (including hibiscus) and trees. On Manus, seen to forage on leafless branches of a flowering tree, hovering often and fluttering vertically downwards. Conspicuous, often chasing each other. Seen singly, in twos (probably pairs) and in small parties (e.g. of up to six individuals), occasionally in larger gatherings of up to 30 or more in flowering trees; on Manus, in Jun–Jul, three tight cohesive flocks of 3–5 birds seen. In Ninigo Is, thought to defend food resources, and vigorously attacked intruders.

Main call of race nigerrima a relatively loud (for Myzomela), hoarse, unmusical scolding; vocalizations of hades vary, including frequent “sweer, sweer, sweer…”, with notes repeated up to six times, chipping notes like those of a sunbird (Nectariniidae), and a song “shwee, shwee…suit” or “swit”. Nominate race gives harsh “ssht, ssht” during chases.

Single nest (with nestlings) reported, on 29th Apr: a small cup of fine plant fibre, suspended from horizontal fork 2·4 m above ground in outer foliage of small tree, nest concealed by foliage from above. No other information.

Not globally threatened. Restrictedrange species: present in Admiralty Islands EBA, in St Matthias Islands EBA, and in New Britain and New Ireland EBA. Generally common to abundant; considered common on Mussau, Long, Tolokiwa, Crown and Tong; abundant in Ninigo Is; common on Tigak I (off New Hanover). On Manus, recent records of small flocks, and comments by local people that species is found uncommonly on the island; increasing area of degraded vegetation on Manus may have allowed this “supertramp” species to establish a breeding population there. Usually not present on large islands of New Hanover and New Ireland, twice sighted in W New Hanover.