The Papuan black myzomela (Myzomela nigrita) is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is found in New Guinea and nearby islands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and savannah woodland. It can be often found at flowering trees such as albizias and eucalypts.

Papuan black myzomela
Female and male
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Meliphagidae
Genus: Myzomela
Species:
M. nigrita
Binomial name
Myzomela nigrita
Gray, 1858

Description edit

The species is 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) with males being larger than females. Males are lacquer-black and have white underwing-coverts. Females are coloured drab brown and they have a reddish forehead and throat, except for the tail. Some females have a sooty black face without any red and in the southeast of its range, many females may appear completely black. Juveniles resemble darker or grey-brown females.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2018). "Myzomela nigrita". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22703827A130345137. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22703827A130345137.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ Pratt, Thane K.; Beehler, Bruce M.; Anderton, John C.; Kokay, Szabolcs (2014). Birds of New Guinea: Second Edition. Princeton University Press. p. 404. ISBN 9781400865116.