From Opus

Alternative names: Bismarck Melidectes, Gilliard's Honeyeater; New Britain Honeyeater; Gilliard's Honeyeater; Bismarck Honeyeater

Melidectes whitemanensis

[edit] Identification

22.5 cm

• Drab-coloured
• Yellowy-olive wing patch
• Narrow area of bare skin behind the eye
• Long curved bill (around 1.5 times the length of head)

Sexes alike, females are slightly smaller. Juveniles undescribed.

[edit] Distribution

Endemic to New Britain in the Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea.
A locally common restricted-range species. However, loss of forest habitat is a serious threat to this species.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.^[1]
Sometimes placed in its own genus Vosea and probably closest to Sooty Melidectes.

[edit] Habitat

Lowland moist forests between 1,200 and 1,800 m.

[edit] Behaviour

Feeds on nectar and arthropods.
A highly active species, never stays longer than a few seconds in one spot. Forages in middle and upper levels of forest.
Usually seen singly, sometimes in groups at flowering trees or with other species like New Britain Friarbird.
No information on breeding.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
2. 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
3. BirdLife International

• List of references

[edit] External Links