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.
Plumage
Subtle, mostly plain plumage with a slaty-gray head contrasting with olive-brown upperparts; wings appear grayish with slightly paler fringes. Underparts are dull buff to grayish with minimal streaking. Feathers are smooth and sleek, aiding a streamlined appearance.
Diet
Primarily takes small arthropods such as insects and spiders gleaned from leaves, twigs, and epiphytes. It probes flowers and foliage with its long bill to extract hidden prey. Occasional nectar feeding and small berries may be taken opportunistically, especially when insects are less abundant. Foraging is deliberate, with short sallies to snatch prey from suspended foliage.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the mid-story to canopy of humid forest, along edges, and in secondary growth with good vertical structure. Often concentrates around flowering trees and areas with abundant epiphytes and mossy branches.
