Family Honeyeaters (Meliphagidae)
Least Concern
Reddish Myzomela (Myzomela erythrina)
Taxonomy
French: Myzomèle érythrin German: Bismarckhonigfresser Spanish: Mielero rojizo
Taxonomy:
Myzomela erythina
[sic] E. P. Ramsay
, 1877,New Ireland, Bismarck Archipelago
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Subspecies and Distribution
M. e. erythrina
E. P. Ramsay, 1877 – New Ireland.
M. e. lavongai
Salomonsen, 1966 – New Hanover.
M. e. vinacea
Salomonsen, 1966 – Djaul I, off NW New Ireland.
M. e. cantans
Mayr, 1955 – Tabar I (in Tabar Group), off NE New Ireland.
Descriptive notes
11–13 cm. Slim Myzomela, with very little sexual dimorphism. Adult male is principally dull pinkish red, becoming darker on head, and darker and browner on wings and... read more
Voice
No known differences between this species and M. cruentata. Gives a rapid stuttering trill... read more
Habitat
Primary rainforest and forest edge and tall secondary growth (regrowth forest); also common in... read more
Food and feeding
Nectar; also small arthropods, mainly insects. On New Ireland forages in flowering coconut palms. Mainly in canopy of forest, and most... read more
Breeding
Nothing known.
Movements
Probably largely sedentary, but some local movements or dispersal. Descends to foothills and... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Restricted-range species: confined to part of the New Britain and New Ireland EBA. Generally scarce to moderately common, locally... read more
Hitherto treated as conspecific with M. cruentata, but differs in its (in male) russet-grey vs shining crimson crown, head sides and throat (3); and (in female) dull grey-shot crimson body plumage with pink fringes to primaries vs brown with whitish-yellow fringes (4) and more intense crimson coloration on throat and head sides but not forecrown vs pale pink throat and bright crimson forecrown (2); also lowland vs montane forest (1). Four subspecies recognized.