The Javan flowerpecker, formerly named the blood-breasted flowerpecker, is a species of passerine bird in the flowerpecker family Dicaeidae. It is found on the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It was formerly considered to be conspecific with the Flores, Sumba, and Timor flowerpeckers.
Region
Sunda Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across Java and Bali from lowland forests to foothill and montane zones. Favors subtropical and tropical moist evergreen forest, forest edge, and secondary growth. It readily uses gardens, plantations, and wooded parks where fruiting shrubs and mistletoes are available. Often follows fruiting and flowering trees across a mosaic of disturbed and intact habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny flowerpecker is confined to Java and Bali and was formerly treated within the broader blood-breasted flowerpecker complex. It plays an important role in dispersing mistletoe seeds, often swallowing the berries whole and wiping the sticky seeds onto branches. Its split from neighboring island forms (Flores, Sumba, and Timor flowerpeckers) reflects subtle but consistent differences in plumage and vocalizations.
Temperament
active and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often seen singly, in pairs, or in loose mixed-species flocks at fruiting trees. Pairs maintain small feeding territories when resources are concentrated. The nest is a small purse-like structure suspended from foliage, with both sexes participating in nest-building and care. Typical clutches are two eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High-pitched, thin tsee and tzip notes delivered in quick sequences, interspersed with buzzy trills. Song is brief and tinkling, often given from canopy perches while foraging.
Plumage
Male is glossy dark above with a vivid crimson throat and upper breast contrasting with a whitish belly; female is duller olive-brown above with pale, buffy underparts and minimal red tones.
Diet
Primarily consumes small berries, especially mistletoe, along with other soft fruits and some nectar from flowering shrubs and trees. Also hawks or gleans small insects and spiders to supplement protein, particularly during breeding. Swallows many fruits whole and disperses seeds via sticky droppings or bill-wiping onto branches.
Preferred Environment
Feeds high in the canopy and at forest edges, moving rapidly between fruiting and flowering trees. Frequently visits gardens, roadside trees, and plantations where ornamental or native mistletoes and berry-bearing plants are present.
