The black-fronted flowerpecker is a species of bird in the family Dicaeidae. It is endemic to the Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
Region
Lesser Sunda Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs on several islands of the Lesser Sundas where it occupies primary and secondary moist forests, forest edges, and wooded gardens. It forages high in the canopy but will also descend to mid-levels along forest margins. The species tolerates some habitat disturbance and uses flowering and fruiting trees in secondary growth. It is generally local but can be fairly common where fruit resources are abundant.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny flowerpecker of the Lesser Sundas, it plays an important role in dispersing mistletoe and other small-berried plants by swallowing fruits whole. Males show a striking dark face with a fiery orange to red patch on the throat or upper breast, while females are duller and more olive. It weaves a neat, pendant pouch nest bound with spider silk. Often detected by its thin, high-pitched calls before it is seen in the canopy.
Temperament
active and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Nests are small, pendant pouches suspended from twigs, constructed of plant fibers and spider silk with a side entrance. Breeding timing varies locally with fruiting and flowering peaks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched tseep and tzik notes, often in rapid series. The song is a brief, tinkling twitter delivered from the canopy and can be hard to localize.
Plumage
Compact, short-tailed flowerpecker with a dark face and upperparts; male shows a bright orange-red throat to upper breast contrasting with dusky flanks and paler underparts. Female is duller with olive-brown upperparts and pale grayish buff underparts, lacking the vivid patch. Both sexes have a short, stout bill and often show pale undertail coverts.
Diet
Primarily consumes small berries, especially mistletoes, which it swallows whole and later disperses as seeds. Also takes nectar from blossoms and supplements its diet with small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage. Foraging is methodical but rapid, moving between fruiting and flowering trees.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the upper canopy and at forest edges where mistletoes and small-fruited trees are common. Will also visit degraded woodland, gardens, and plantations when suitable resources are available.
