(Distribution & Taxonomy expanded. References) |
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;[[:Category:Melanocharis|Melanocharis]] nigra | ;[[:Category:Melanocharis|Melanocharis]] nigra | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
+ | 11.5cm. A small, short-tailed and stubby-billed forest Berrypecker. | ||
+ | ====Male==== | ||
+ | * Shiny blue-black upperparts | ||
+ | * Dark grey underparts | ||
+ | * White pectoral tufts | ||
+ | * Whitish underwing-coverts | ||
+ | * ''chloroptera'' with edged green upperwing-coverts and remiges | ||
+ | * ''pallida'' with black upperparts and grey underparts | ||
+ | * ''unicolor'' is entirely shiny blue-black (apart from pectoral tufts) | ||
+ | ====Female==== | ||
+ | * Dull olive-green upperparts | ||
+ | * Olive-grey underparts | ||
+ | * White or yellowish-white pectoral tufts and underwing-coverts | ||
+ | Immatures are similar to females but they have ligthly yellowish washed underparts and a paler base of lower mandible. | ||
+ | ====Similar species==== | ||
+ | [[Lemon-breasted Berrypecker]] has yellowish pectoral tufts and a longer tail. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
− | + | Endemic to [[New Guinea]].<br /> | |
+ | Fairly common and widespread. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>==== | ====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>==== | ||
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*''M. n. chloroptera'': | *''M. n. chloroptera'': | ||
:*Aru Issland and southern [[New Guinea]] (Mimika River to Fly River) | :*Aru Issland and southern [[New Guinea]] (Mimika River to Fly River) | ||
+ | Possibly forms a species pair with [[Obscure Berrypecker]]. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
− | Moist lowland | + | Moist lowland and hill forest, tall secondary growth and canopy of mature teak plantations.<br /> |
+ | Occurs from sea-level up to 1200m, locally higher. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
+ | Heard far more often than seen.<br /> | ||
+ | Feeds on small berries. Takes also insects and spiders.<br /> | ||
+ | A very active feeder. Males may forage at higher levels than females.<br /> | ||
+ | Breeding recorded in various months. The nest is a neat cup bound to a bare twig fork of a sapling. Lays 1 to 2 eggs.<br /> | ||
+ | A sedentary species, some local wanderings recorded. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
− | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug11}}#{{Ref-HBWVol13}} |
− | |||
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Melanocharis+nigra}} | {{GSearch|Melanocharis+nigra}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]] [[category:Melanocharis]] [[Category:Missing Images]] | [[Category:Birds]] [[category:Melanocharis]] [[Category:Missing Images]] |
Revision as of 08:48, 24 June 2012
- Melanocharis nigra
Identification
11.5cm. A small, short-tailed and stubby-billed forest Berrypecker.
Male
- Shiny blue-black upperparts
- Dark grey underparts
- White pectoral tufts
- Whitish underwing-coverts
- chloroptera with edged green upperwing-coverts and remiges
- pallida with black upperparts and grey underparts
- unicolor is entirely shiny blue-black (apart from pectoral tufts)
Female
- Dull olive-green upperparts
- Olive-grey underparts
- White or yellowish-white pectoral tufts and underwing-coverts
Immatures are similar to females but they have ligthly yellowish washed underparts and a paler base of lower mandible.
Similar species
Lemon-breasted Berrypecker has yellowish pectoral tufts and a longer tail.
Distribution
Endemic to New Guinea.
Fairly common and widespread.
Taxonomy
Subspecies[1]
There are 4 subspecies:
- M. n. pallida:
- Waigeu Island (off western New Guinea)
- M. n. nigra:
- Misool Island, Salawati Island and western New Guinea
- M. n. unicolor:
- Yapen Island, Meos Num Island, northern and eastern New Guinea
- M. n. chloroptera:
- Aru Issland and southern New Guinea (Mimika River to Fly River)
Possibly forms a species pair with Obscure Berrypecker.
Habitat
Moist lowland and hill forest, tall secondary growth and canopy of mature teak plantations.
Occurs from sea-level up to 1200m, locally higher.
Behaviour
Heard far more often than seen.
Feeds on small berries. Takes also insects and spiders.
A very active feeder. Males may forage at higher levels than females.
Breeding recorded in various months. The nest is a neat cup bound to a bare twig fork of a sapling. Lays 1 to 2 eggs.
A sedentary species, some local wanderings recorded.
References
- 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
- 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) Black Berrypecker. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 18 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black_Berrypecker