The Timor flowerpecker is a species of passerine bird in the flowerpecker family Dicaeidae that is found on the island of Timor, one of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist forest. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the blood-breasted flowerpecker, now renamed the Javan flowerpecker.
Region
Lesser Sunda Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs across the island of Timor, in both East Timor (Timor-Leste) and Indonesian West Timor. It inhabits subtropical and tropical moist forests, forest edges, secondary growth, and wooded gardens. The species forages from the mid-story to the canopy and tolerates moderately disturbed habitats as long as fruiting shrubs and mistletoes persist. It is most frequent where mixed woodland and scrub provide year-round nectar and fruit resources.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny canopy-dwelling fruit and nectar specialist, the Timor flowerpecker is confined to the island of Timor. It was long treated within the blood-breasted flowerpecker complex but is now recognized as distinct. By feeding on mistletoe berries, it plays an important role in seed dispersal and forest dynamics.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and frequently joins mixed-species flocks in fruiting trees. Nests are small, purse-like structures of plant fibers and spider silk suspended from foliage. Both parents typically attend the nest and feed the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a thin, high-pitched series of tsee and tzip notes delivered rapidly from mid to upper canopy. Calls include sharp, metallic ticks used in contact as birds move between fruiting branches.
Plumage
Compact, short-tailed flowerpecker with smooth, glossy upperparts and cleaner, paler underparts; males show a small crimson throat-to-breast wash while females are duller and more olive-brown above with buffy underparts.
Diet
Takes small fruits and berries, especially mistletoe, and also sips nectar from blossoms. Supplements its diet with small arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs. Its fruit-feeding habits make it an effective seed disperser for hemiparasitic plants.
Preferred Environment
Feeds primarily in the mid-story and canopy of forests, edges, and secondary woodland. Readily visits flowering and fruiting trees in village gardens and agroforests.
