The crow honeyeater is a very large honeyeater endemic to humid forests in New Caledonia in the South Pacific.
Region
Southwest Pacific (New Caledonia)
Typical Environment
Occurs in primary and mature secondary humid evergreen forests on Grande Terre, especially in lowland and mid‑elevation valleys and ridges. It favors tall, dense forest with abundant flowering trees and a well‑developed canopy and midstory. The species is now highly localized, persisting in a few fragmented tracts of suitable habitat. It generally avoids heavily degraded areas and open habitats, although it may move along forest edges to reach flowering resources.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The crow honeyeater is one of the largest honeyeaters and is endemic to the humid forests of New Caledonia. Its long, decurved bill and brush-tipped tongue make it an important pollinator of native flowering trees. It is extremely elusive and now very rare, with declines driven by invasive predators and habitat loss. Conservation efforts focus on predator control and protecting remaining lowland rainforest.
Temperament
shy and elusive
Flight Pattern
strong flier with short rapid wingbeats and brief glides between canopy trees
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, maintaining loose territories around rich flowering resources. Nests are placed in trees, with both parents involved in care. It forages deliberately through the midstory and canopy, occasionally sallying for insects.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include loud, ringing whistles and clear, piping notes interspersed with harsher croaks. Calls carry far through the forest and are often the best way to detect the species.
Plumage
Uniform glossy black plumage with a slightly shaggy throat and long, graduated tail.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from native flowering trees and shrubs, using its brush‑tipped tongue. Supplements its diet with insects and other arthropods gleaned from foliage and bark, and occasionally takes small fruits. It may act as an important pollinator by transferring pollen between blooms while feeding.
Preferred Environment
Forages mostly in the canopy and upper midstory of dense humid forest, moving along flowering corridors. It sometimes visits forest edges or gaps when certain trees are in bloom.
