Melanesian Whistler

Overview

The Melanesian whistler, also known as the Vanuatu whistler, is a passerine bird in the whistler family. It is found across the Loyalty Islands, Vanuatu, and Vanikoro in the far south-eastern Solomons.

Identification

• Medium-sized, typically 14–16 cm long and weighing 18–25 g.
• Nominate males feature a dark slate-grey crown, face, and nape, with a white throat and ochraceous-yellow belly separated by a black line.
• Olive back and wings, with dark brown legs.
• Females are duller, with buff or yellow bellies, no black line, and lighter brown legs.

Habitat

Inhabits humid forests, including degraded forest and forest edges, from sea level up to at least 900 m. The species is relatively common in suitable habitat, particularly below 300 m, and is sedentary.

Diet

Feeds on insects, snails, and seeds. Forages in the foliage of trees and shrubs and on branches, presumably in a similar fashion to the closely related golden whistler.

Did you know?

Until 2014, the Melanesian whistler was considered conspecific with the New Caledonian whistler and was formerly treated as a subspecies of the golden whistler. Its small nest is constructed from sticks and spider web and suspended from small branches above the ground.