The yellow-bellied longbill or green-crowned longbill is a species of bird in the family Melanocharitidae. It is found in New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
Region
New Guinea
Typical Environment
Occurs throughout New Guinea in subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests, from primary rainforest to well-grown secondary forest. It frequents forest interiors, edges, and vine tangles, and moves through the understorey to mid-canopy. The species is also found along riparian corridors and in mossy montane habitats. It tolerates moderate disturbance and sometimes forages at forest margins near gardens.
Altitude Range
0–2400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the green-crowned longbill, this small New Guinea songbird uses its long, slender bill to probe flowers and foliage for nectar and tiny arthropods. It often joins mixed-species foraging flocks in the forest midstory. Despite its bright yellow belly, it can be surprisingly inconspicuous in dense foliage. The species is widespread across the island and is considered of low conservation concern.
Temperament
active and somewhat inconspicuous
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense foliage
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, but commonly joins mixed-species flocks moving through the midstory. Nests are small cups placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation. Pairs maintain small foraging areas and communicate with thin calls while moving.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched tseet and seee notes, often in short series. Song is a rapid, tinkling sequence of faint whistles that can be hard to localize in the canopy.
