The mottled berryhunter or mottled whistler is a species of bird whose relationships are unclear but is most likely related to the woodswallows, boatbills and butcherbirds. It is monotypic within the genus Rhagologus and family Rhagologidae. It is found in the highlands of New Guinea, where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
New Guinea Highlands
Typical Environment
Found throughout the mossy montane forests of the Central Range and associated highlands across New Guinea, in both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua. It favors primary forest but also uses mature secondary growth, forest edges, and ridgelines with fruiting trees. The species typically forages in the mid to upper canopy and is most frequently detected by its soft, whistled calls. It is generally local to common where suitable fruiting trees are available.
Altitude Range
1200–2800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The mottled berryhunter is the sole member of both its genus Rhagologus and the family Rhagologidae, with uncertain affinities to woodswallows, boatbills, and butcherbirds. It is a quiet, canopy-dwelling bird that is often overlooked despite being fairly widespread in New Guinea’s montane forests. Its common name reflects its strong reliance on fruit, though it also takes small invertebrates.
Temperament
solitary and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen alone or in pairs and sometimes with a dependent juvenile; rarely joins mixed-species flocks. Likely builds a small cup nest in dense foliage, with both parents involved in care. Territorial singing occurs from mid to upper canopy perches.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, mellow series of clear whistles and piping notes, often delivered slowly and repeated. Calls are low-volume and can be ventriloquial, making the bird hard to locate.
Plumage
Olive-brown upperparts with a heavily mottled, scalloped pattern on the throat, breast, and belly; underparts show pale buff to whitish ground color overlaid with dark mottling. The wings and tail are dusky-brown with subtle edging, and the throat is often paler. Feathers appear soft with fine mottled texture that breaks up the outline in canopy shade.
Diet
Primarily consumes small fruits and berries taken directly from canopy and subcanopy foliage. Also gleans or snatches insects and other small arthropods from leaves and twigs, particularly when fruit is scarce. Foraging is methodical, with short sallies and hover-gleans among fruiting branches.
Preferred Environment
Mid to upper canopy of moist montane forest, especially at fruiting trees along ridges and forest edges. Occasionally descends to midstory in gaps and along trails where fruiting shrubs are present.
