The dusky myzomela or dusky honeyeater is a small, brown bird that is a common resident of the Aru Islands, southern New Guinea and northern and eastern Australia, where there are two separated populations, one in the Top End, another from Cape York Peninsula along the east coast as far south as the New South Wales border, though the species is rare south of Rockhampton. The Moluccan myzomela, red-tinged myzomela, and Biak myzomela were formerly considered conspecific, but was split as distinct species by the IOC in 2021.
Region
Australasia
Typical Environment
Found across the Aru Islands, southern New Guinea, and northern to eastern Australia. In Australia it occurs in two main populations: the Top End of the Northern Territory and from Cape York Peninsula south along the east coast, uncommon south of Rockhampton. It inhabits open forests, woodlands, monsoon forest edges, paperbark swamps, mangroves, and urban gardens with flowering trees. It tracks flowering events and can appear locally common where nectar is abundant. Uses both coastal lowlands and inland riparian corridors.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the dusky honeyeater, this species is a small, plain-brown myzomela that frequents flowering trees and shrubs. It is an important pollinator, moving between blossoms of eucalypts, melaleucas, and grevilleas. The Moluccan, red-tinged, and Biak myzomelas were split from it as distinct species by the IOC in 2021. It readily visits gardens in northern Australia when nectar sources are plentiful.
Temperament
restless and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, but congregates at heavily flowering trees alongside other honeyeaters. Breeding involves a small cup nest of fine bark and spider web placed in foliage; clutch is typically two eggs. The female builds the nest, and both parents feed the young.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Calls are thin, high-pitched tsee-tsee notes and rapid twittering sequences. Song is modest and unobtrusive, often delivered from canopy perches while foraging.
