Long-bearded Melidectes
Encyclopedia
The Long-bearded Honeyeater (Melidectes princeps), also known as the Long-bearded Melidectes, is a bird in the Honeyeater family.
, and is found only on Mt Giluwe, Mt Hagen, the Kubor Range, Mt Wilhelm, Mt Michael and in the Kaijende Highlands
of Enga Province
, 70 km NW of Mt Hagen. Its range is about 19,000 km2. It lives at high altitudes in shrubland, grassland or moist forest.
on the IUCN Red List. Where once it was thought that it was threatened by habitat loss, it is now believed that it’s ability to live on edges of fragmented land may mean that it is less at risk. Climate change remains a potential threat. It was estimated in 2000 that there were fewer than 10,000 mature individuals remaining. No conservation measures are in place; however, there is a proposal to undertake a survey of forest blocks at suitable altitudes.
Description
The Long-bearded Honeyeater is 27 cm long. It has a long, slender black bill and orange skin behind its eye. Its plumage is soot-black. It is distinguished from the similar sooty honeyeaters by its wispy white beard, which reaches the bend of its wing.Distribution and habitat
The honeyeater is endemic to Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
, and is found only on Mt Giluwe, Mt Hagen, the Kubor Range, Mt Wilhelm, Mt Michael and in the Kaijende Highlands
Kaijende Highlands
The Kaijende Highlands are a nearly uninhabited expanse of mountains near Porgera in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea. The highlands have been characterized as "some of Papua New Guinea's most pristine and scenic montane habitat". The Kaijende Highlands include Lake Tawa, Paiela Road, Omyaka Creek,...
of Enga Province
Enga Province
Enga refers to both an ethnic group located in the highlands of Papua New Guinea and the province in which they are the majority ethnic group.-Physical geography:...
, 70 km NW of Mt Hagen. Its range is about 19,000 km2. It lives at high altitudes in shrubland, grassland or moist forest.
Behaviour
The honeyeaters inhabit the tree canopies, eating nectar, fruit and insects. They feed in pairs or small groups. They nest in June and July. The voice is unrecorded.Threats and conservation
The honeyeater is classified as vulnerableVulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
on the IUCN Red List. Where once it was thought that it was threatened by habitat loss, it is now believed that it’s ability to live on edges of fragmented land may mean that it is less at risk. Climate change remains a potential threat. It was estimated in 2000 that there were fewer than 10,000 mature individuals remaining. No conservation measures are in place; however, there is a proposal to undertake a survey of forest blocks at suitable altitudes.
Sources
- BirdLife International 2004. Melidectes princeps. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 26 July 2007.
- Mayr & Gillard. (1951).
- IUCN Red List. (June, 2010).
- BirdLife International (2010) Species factsheet: Melidectes princeps
- Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)