The black-throated honeyeater is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is found in New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
Region
New Guinea Highlands
Typical Environment
Primarily inhabits subtropical to tropical moist montane forests across the central cordillera of New Guinea. It favors mid-story to canopy levels, visiting flowering shrubs, trees, and epiphytes along forest edges, ridges, and gaps. The species also uses secondary growth and mossy forest, and will occasionally appear in montane gardens near intact forest. It is generally local but can be fairly common where suitable flowering resources are abundant.
Altitude Range
800–2800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This New Guinea montane honeyeater forages high in the canopy, sipping nectar and snapping up small insects among flowering trees. It often travels with mixed-species flocks and can be more often heard than seen. Its black throat patch is a key field mark that contrasts with olive upperparts and a pale facial streak. As a nectar-feeder, it likely contributes to pollination of montane plants and epiphytes.
Temperament
active and somewhat inconspicuous
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in small parties, and frequently accompanies mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Breeding pairs construct a small cup nest suspended in foliage, with both sexes likely sharing parental duties. Territoriality is moderate around rich flowering resources.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft, thin, high-pitched notes interspersed with nasal chis and trills. Calls can be a rapid series of squeaky phrases, often delivered from cover high in the canopy.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with paler underparts and a distinct, well-defined black throat patch. The head shows a subtle yellowish facial crescent and pale ear-covert streak, with grey-olive crown and nape. Flight feathers are darker with olive edging; underparts otherwise greyish-olive.
Diet
Feeds mainly on nectar from flowering trees, shrubs, and epiphytes, probing blossoms with its slender bill. Supplements its diet with small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and snatched on short sallies. Will also take small amounts of fruit when available. Its movements within territories often track flowering phenology.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the mid-story and canopy of montane forest, especially along edges, clearings, and ridge-top vegetation. Often visits flowering mistletoes, melastomes, and other nectar-rich plants; occasionally enters gardens adjacent to forest.
