The elegant honeyeater is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is native to the Bird's Tail Peninsula . Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
Southeast New Guinea
Typical Environment
Found in subtropical and tropical moist lowland to lower montane forests on the Papuan Peninsula. It uses primary rainforest, edges, and secondary growth, and occasionally visits gardens with flowering shrubs. The species forages from the mid-story to the canopy, moving quickly between blossoms. It is generally local but can be fairly common where suitable flowering trees are abundant.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The elegant honeyeater is a small, active nectar-feeder restricted to the Papuan (Bird’s Tail) Peninsula of southeastern New Guinea. It frequents flowering trees and often joins mixed-species flocks. Its ashy-gray face and olive body give it a subdued but tidy appearance. Like many honeyeaters, it supplements nectar with insects, especially when feeding young.
Temperament
active and somewhat skulking in foliage
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick dashes between trees
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or in small family groups, and often joins mixed-species feeding flocks. Breeding pairs defend small feeding and nesting territories. Nest is a small cup suspended in foliage; both parents help feed the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song consists of thin, tinkling whistles and short, sweet phrases delivered from mid-canopy perches. Calls include sharp chips and soft contact notes while foraging.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with paler olive to yellow-olive underparts and a distinctly ashy-gray face and forehead. Subtle yellowish ear patch and a pale gape/malar line typical of Microptilotis honeyeaters. Wings and tail are dusky with olive edging; plumage appears smooth and neat rather than strongly patterned.
Diet
Primarily takes nectar from a variety of native flowering trees and shrubs, including myrtles and mistletoes. Also gleans small insects and spiders from foliage and bark, and occasionally hawks for flying insects. Will take soft fruits and berries opportunistically, especially when nectar is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the mid to upper canopy of forest edges, secondary growth, and flowering stands along streams and ridges. It frequently visits seasonal blooms and may follow flowering phenology across small areas.
