Common smoky honeyeater

The common smoky honeyeater is a medium-sized bird found in central Papua New Guinea and Eastern Indonesia. It is one of four species in the Meliphagidae family. The common smoky honeyeater can be identified by its charcoal-colored body and blotchy neon orange circle around its eyes. This bird breeds in September and October, which are considered dry seasons. Its diet consists of small fruits, insects, and floral plants. This bird breeds in September and early October above ground or next to a tree branch.

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Distribution

Region

New Guinea Highlands

Typical Environment

Found broadly across the central cordillera of New Guinea in both Papua (Indonesia) and Papua New Guinea. It inhabits mossy montane forest, forest edges, secondary growth, and gardens near forest. The species frequently visits flowering shrubs and fruiting trees in the mid-story and canopy. It adapts well to disturbed montane habitats provided sufficient floral resources and fruiting plants remain.

Altitude Range

800–2800 m

Climate Zone

Highland

Characteristics

Size22–27 cm

Wing Span30–38 cm

Male Weight0.08 kg

Female Weight0.07 kg

Life Expectancy8 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

This New Guinea honeyeater is noted for its bare orange-yellow skin around the eye, which can flush red when excited—an unusual feature among passerines. It is an active participant in mixed-species flocks and is an important pollinator and seed disperser in montane forests. Despite its drab, sooty plumage, its facial skin makes it surprisingly easy to spot at fruiting trees.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with agile hops and darts through the mid-canopy

Social Behavior

Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and commonly joins mixed-species foraging flocks. Builds a small cup nest above ground in shrubs or trees, with breeding peaking in the dry season (September–October). Both sexes attend the nest, and territories are defended near rich food sources.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Calls are nasal, squeaky notes interspersed with short, buzzy phrases. The song is simple and repetitive, used for contact within pairs and to maintain space around feeding sites.

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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

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