The slaty-headed longbill or grey-winged longbill 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
Typical Environment
Occurs throughout the New Guinea Highlands and adjacent foothills, extending into suitable lowland forest patches. It inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests, favoring dense mid-story and canopy layers. The species uses forest edges, secondary growth, and forested gullies, provided there is sufficient cover. It is typically local to fairly common where habitat is intact and may move locally following flowering or insect abundance.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the grey-winged longbill, this small New Guinea songbird belongs to the berrypecker and longbill family Melanocharitidae. It forages quietly in the mid-story and canopy, often joining mixed-species flocks. Its long, slender, slightly decurved bill is adapted for probing foliage and flowers. The species is generally unobtrusive and more often detected by its thin, high-pitched calls than by sight.
illustration
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches; quick, direct dashes through foliage
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, but frequently associates with mixed-species feeding flocks in the canopy. Breeding behavior is poorly known, though likely involves a small cup nest placed in dense vegetation. Territoriality appears modest, with birds focusing on productive foraging patches.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched seeps and short tinkling trills that carry poorly through dense forest. Vocalizations are brief and sporadic, often emitted while foraging in the mid-canopy.
