Alternative names: Sooty Honeyeater; Melanic Honeyeater; Santa Ana Honeyeater; Tristram's Honeyeater; Santa Ana Myzomela; Tristram's Myzomela
- Myzomela tristrami
Identification
11-12 cm.
- Back plumage with faint violet-blue sheen
- Duller and brownish-tinged remiges
- Paler greyish-black to dull blackish axillaries and underwing-coverts
- Black decurved bill
Females are smaller and slightly duller with paler legs (usually not distinguishable in the field).
Juveniles are duller than adults, soot black above and greyish-olive below.
Distribution
Solomon Islands (San Cristobal, Santa Ana and Santa Catalina, probably also Ugi).
A poorly known restricted-range species. Common in its range.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Forms a superspecies with Ebony Myzomela, Black-headed Myzomela, Yellow-vented Myzomela and Red-bellied Myzomela and all five species have been considered conspecific. Reported to hybridize with Cardinal Myzomela on San Cristobal.
Habitat
Primary forest, secondary forest, coconut plantations and gardens.
Occurs from sea-level up to c. 900m, most common on coast and at middle altitudes.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds mainly on nectar, takes also small insects and occasionally some small fruit. Forages in the canopy of tall trees. Often in small parties of c. six birds, also sometimes in larger numbers in flowering trees, mixing with San Cristobal Melidectes and Duchess Lorikeet.
Breeding
A nest was recorded in early September. It was similar to a sunbird nest but broader and less deep. It was suspended 10m above the ground from a branch of an understorey tree.
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. (2025) Sooty Myzomela. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 7 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Sooty_Myzomela
