Alternative names: Bearded Melidectes; Short-bearded Honeyeater; Nouhuys's Melidectes
- Melidectes nouhuysi
Identification
27-27.5 cm.
- Dark blackish-brown to sooty black plumage, tinged brownish on lower belly
- Small patch of yellow to golden-yellow bare skin behind eye
- White tip of tail
- White chin and throat, black centre of throat, feathers slightly elongated and tufted, forming short but distinctive beard
- Some greyish scalloping on breast, belly and vent, pale buff scalloping on undertail-coverts
Sexes similar, males larger than females. Juveniles undescribed.
Distribution
Endemic to western New Guinea (Mount Wilhelmina in Snow Mountains).
A poorly known but fairly common species with a small range.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Forms a superspecies with Long-bearded Melidectes.
Habitat
High mounain forest and scattered clumps of trees and shrubs near or in alpine grassland at tree-line.
Occurs from 3050 to 4500 m.
Behaviour
A secretive species, but not shy. Hops rapidly through shrubs when feeling disturbed.
Diet
Feeds on fruit, seeds, insects and nectar.
Forages in shrubs or on the ground in thickets.
Breeding
One nest found in August was a loose, bulky cup-shaped structure made of moss, liverworts and fungi. It was placed 1.2 m above the ground in a shrub in open country and contained one egg.
Movements
Probably a resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2008. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13: Penduline-tits to Shrikes. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553453
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Short-bearded Melidectes. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Short-bearded_Melidectes
