Dark-eared myza

Dark-eared myza
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Meliphagidae
Genus: Myza
Species: M. celebensis
Binomial name
Myza celebensis
(Meyer & Wiglesworth, 1895)

The dark-eared myza (Myza celebensis), also known as the lesser streaked honeyeater, is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is endemic to the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. There are two subspecies, Myza celebensis celebensis which is found in mountainous parts of northern, central and southeastern Sulawesi, and Myza celebensis meridionalis from mountains in southern Sulawesi.[2]

Description

The sexes are similar in appearance in the dark-eared myza but males are heavier than females and have longer heads, bills, wings and tail.[3] The adult male is about 17 cm (6.7 in) in length and weighs about 21 g (0.7 oz). The head and neck are grey or olivaceous streaked with dark brown. The bill is dark-coloured, long and curved downwards, and there is a bare yellowish patch of skin surrounding the dark eye. The back, wings and tail are brown with streaks of darker brown and the underparts are also brown, but less streaked than the upper parts. Southern populations (subspecies meridionalis), have a greyer base colour.[4][5]

Ecology

The dark-eared myza is found in forests at elevations from 900 metres (3,000 ft) up to 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) in the north of the island and up to 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) in the south.[5] It feeds from flowers and is described as darting rapidly from one inflorescence to another in its quest for nectar.[6]

Status

The dark-eared myza is common in the mountainous regions in Sulawesi which it inhabits and is estimated to have a total range of 42,100 square kilometres (16,300 sq mi). This means that it is considered by the IUCN to be of "least concern" as its range and population size exceed the threshold criteria for being listed in a more vulnerable category.[7] One of the places where this bird can be seen is the Gunung Ambang Nature Reserve on Sulawesi.[6]

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Myza celebensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  2. ↑ "Dark-eared Myza (Myza celebensis) (Meyer & Wiglesworth, 1894)". AviBase. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
  3. ↑ Noske, Richard A.; Leishman, Alan J.; Burton, J.; Harris, C.; Putra, Dadang Dwi; Prawiradilaga, Dewi M (2013). "Strong sexual size dimorphism in the Dark-eared Myza Myza celebensis, a Sulawesi-endemic honeyeater, with notes on its wing markings and moult". Kukila 17 (1).
  4. ↑ "Lesser streaked honeyeater (Myza celebensis)". Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
  5. 1 2 "Cikarak Sulawesi". Kutilang Indonesia. 2013-05-20. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
  6. 1 2 Riley, Jon (2000-12-01). "Gunung Ambang". OBC Bulletin 32. Oriental Bird Club. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
  7. ↑ "Dark-eared Myza: Myza celebensis". BirdLife International. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
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