The mid-mountain berrypecker or lemon-breasted berrypecker is a species of bird in the family Melanocharitidae. It is found in the New Guinea Highlands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
Region
New Guinea Highlands
Typical Environment
Occurs throughout the central cordillera of New Guinea in both Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Favors subtropical and tropical moist montane and foothill forests, including edges, secondary growth, and fruiting tree patches. Most frequently encountered in the mid-storey to canopy, where it moves between trees in short flights. It is locally common where suitable fruit resources are abundant.
Altitude Range
800–2300 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the lemon-breasted berrypecker, this small passerine belongs to the New Guinea berrypeckers and longbills family (Melanocharitidae). It forages quietly in the mid-storey to canopy, often joining mixed-species flocks at fruiting trees. Males show brighter yellow underparts than females, which are duller and more olive. It is generally inconspicuous despite its vivid belly coloration.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or in small family groups; frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks at fruiting trees. Breeding pairs are territorial around nesting sites. The nest is a small cup placed on a horizontal fork or sheltered branch.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Thin, high-pitched calls and soft whistles delivered from within foliage. Vocalizations are subtle and can be easily overlooked amid mixed-flock chatter.
Plumage
Compact berrypecker with a relatively long, graduated tail; plumage is olive to gray-olive above with bright lemon-yellow underparts in males and duller yellow-olive underparts in females.
Diet
Primarily consumes small fruits and berries, including drupes and mistletoe fruits. Will supplement the diet with small arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs. Often forages methodically, picking single fruits and moving to the next perch. Occasionally hover-gleans at outer foliage.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the mid-storey to canopy of moist montane and foothill forests, especially at fruiting trees. Also uses edges and secondary growth where berry-bearing plants are plentiful.
