The streaked 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 across the central ranges of New Guinea, from forested foothills into the highlands. It inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests, including forest edges and second-growth. The species forages mainly in the midstory and canopy, often along fruiting trees and vine tangles. It adapts to selectively logged forest where fruiting shrubs persist. Local movements likely track fruit availability.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The streaked berrypecker is a small New Guinea songbird specialized in taking tiny berries and mistletoe fruits, often swallowing them whole. It keeps to the forest midstory and canopy and is easily overlooked due to its quiet demeanor and foliage-hugging habits. Males tend to be darker, while females show stronger streaking below, aiding identification. It frequently joins mixed-species flocks in montane forests.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually found singly, in pairs, or small family groups, and often joins mixed-species flocks in fruiting trees. Breeding pairs are territorial around nest sites, building a small cup nest concealed in foliage. Nesting likely follows local seasonal peaks in fruit supply.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft and high-pitched, consisting of thin tseep or tsee notes. Song is modest and intermittent, often given from within cover. Calls may be easily missed amid forest background noise.
Plumage
Olive-brown to dusky-olive upperparts with heavily streaked whitish to buff underparts; streaking is fine on the breast and belly. Males are darker and more uniform above, females paler with more conspicuous streaks. Plumage is neat and smooth, with a short-tailed, compact appearance and a stout little bill.
Diet
Primarily takes small berries and drupes, especially mistletoe and other fleshy fruits, which are often swallowed whole. Supplements its diet with small arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs. Will hover briefly to pluck fruit and wipe the bill after feeding.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the midstory and canopy of moist forest, along edges, vine tangles, and fruiting shrubs. Frequently visits fruiting trees in mixed flocks, moving methodically through foliage.
