Cardinal Myzomela

Overview

The cardinal myzomela (Myzomela cardinalis) is a small passerine bird in the honeyeater family, named for the scarlet coloration of the male. It is a permanent resident of the South Pacific, with seven recognised subspecies.

Identification

• Small, active bird measuring approximately 13 cm (5.1 in) from bill to tail.
• Males are red and black in coloration, while females are grayish-olive, sometimes with a red cap or head.
• Features a long, curved bill especially adapted for reaching into flowers for nectar.

Habitat

Found in the Loyalty Islands of New Caledonia, Temotu and Makira-Ulawa of the Solomon Islands, and the entirety of Vanuatu. Its natural habitats include subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and mangrove forest, and it frequently visits areas with flowers, such as gardens.

Diet

The bird possesses a long, curved bill especially adapted for reaching into flowers for nectar. It frequents areas with flowers, such as gardens.

Did you know?

The species was formally described in 1788 by Johann Friedrich Gmelin, who originally placed it with the treecreepers in the genus Certhia rather than its current genus Myzomela.