Ashy flowerpecker

The ashy flowerpecker is a species of bird in the family Dicaeidae. It is endemic to Indonesia where it occurs on Seram, Ambon and nearby islands in the Banda Arc. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

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Distribution

Region

Maluku Islands (Banda Arc)

Typical Environment

Occurs on Seram, Ambon, and nearby islands of the Banda Arc. It uses tropical moist lowland and lower montane forests, including forest edges and secondary growth. The species also forages in village gardens, coconut groves, and plantations where suitable flowering and fruiting plants are available. It is generally common where habitat remains and shows some tolerance of disturbance.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1600 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size8–9 cm

Wing Span12–16 cm

Male Weight0.009 kg

Female Weight0.008 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

A tiny flowerpecker of the Maluku Islands, it plays an important role in dispersing mistletoe and other small-fruited plants. Males show a subtle reddish patch on the breast, while females are duller and more uniformly gray. It often visits gardens and edges as well as forest, and builds a neat, pendulous pouch nest of plant fibers and spider silk.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

active and alert

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, and frequently joins mixed-species flocks in the canopy and edges. Breeding pairs construct a pendant, purse-like nest from plant fibers and spider silk suspended from slender branches. Territorial around rich food sources when in season.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A series of thin, high-pitched tseep notes and short buzzy trills. Calls are quick and repeated, often given while foraging high in foliage.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Ashy flycatcher

The ashy flycatcher is a species of bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, excluding the drier areas of South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, where it inhabits subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and savanna. It has a disputed generic placement, with different authorities variously putting it in Muscicapa, Fraseria, or other genera. Ashy flycatchers are mostly grey in colour, with pale grey or white underparts, and display no sexual dimorphism.

Ashy minivet

The ashy minivet is a passerine bird of eastern Asia belonging to the minivet genus Pericrocotus in the cuckooshrike family Campephagidae. While most of the minivets have shades of yellow, orange and red in their plumage, this species has only greys, whites and blacks. The male is distinctive with a white face and black nape although females can be confused with the female of the brown-rumped minivet. They forage in the canopy, often along with other minivets and join mixed-species foraging flocks.

Ashy prinia

The ashy prinia or ashy wren-warbler is a small warbler in the family Cisticolidae. This prinia is a resident breeder in the Indian subcontinent, ranging across most of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, eastern Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and western Myanmar. It is a common bird in urban gardens and farmlands in many parts of India and its small size, distinctive colours and upright tail make it easy to identify. The northern populations have a rufous rump and back and have a distinct breeding and non-breeding plumage while other populations lack such variation.