Cardinal Myzomela (Myzomela cardinalis)

Other Names (World)
Cardinal Myzomela, Cardinal Honeyeater, Black-bellied Honeysucker, Samoan Cardinal Myzomela (nigriventris), Lifou Cardinal Myzomela (lifuensis)

Family
Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters)

Size
11 - 12 cm

First Described (Guide)
(Gmelin, 1788)

Habitat
Subtropical and tropical lowland moist forest. Also, subtropical and tropical mangroves, heavily degraded former forest, rural gardens, plantations.

Range (Guide)

American Samoa, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu.

Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.

Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).

Status LC
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Voice
A high-pitched 'tzwee'. A melodious, jingling song.

Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (30)...)

Cardinal Myzomela (Myzomela cardinalis) [XC614580]
by Patrik \u00c5berg from Lowkwaria, Vanuatu (dawn song, song)

Cardinal Myzomela (Myzomela cardinalis) [XC70660]
by David Gibbs from Lavungu, Rennell Island, Solomon Islands (call)

Subspecies
Forms a superspecies with Rotuma Myzomela (Myzomela chermesina), Wakolo Myzomela (Myzomela wakoloensis), Banda Myzomela (Myzomela boiei), Scarlet Honeyeater (Myzomela sanguinolenta), New Caledonian Myzomela (Myzomela caledonica), Micronesian Myzomela (Myzomela rubratra), Sulawesi Myzomela (Myzomela chloroptera) and possibly Black-bellied Myzomela (Myzomela erythromelas). Limits of this superspecies not certain and require study, especially regarding inclusion of Black-bellied Myzomela (Myzomela erythromelas). Further, Red-headed Honeyeater (Myzomela erythrocephala), Sumba Myzomela (Myzomela dammermani), Crimson-hooded Myzomela (Myzomela kuehni) and Mountain Myzomela (Myzomela adolphinae) are closely related to the group, Black-breasted Myzomela (Myzomela vulnerata) also may be, and possibly Red-collared Myzomela (Myzomela rosenbergii) and the Red-capped Myzomela (Myzomela lafargei) superspecies should be included. Present species sometimes treated as conspecific with Rotuma Myzomela (Myzomela chermesina). Formerly treated as conspecific with Micronesian Myzomela (Myzomela rubratra), but differs in morphology and vocalizations. Subspecies pulcherrima �apparently a recent invader on San Cristobal (Solomon Is), possibly hybridizing with Sooty Myzomela (Myzomela tristrami) in the past.

The following 8 subspecies are recognised:

sanfordi Mayr, 1931 - Rennell, in southern Solomon Is.
pulcherrima Ramsay, EP, 1881 - San Cristobal, Ugi and Three Sisters Is, in south-eastern Solomons.
sanctaecrucis Sarasin, 1913 - Islands of Santa Cruz Group, including Nepani, Reef Is (Fenualoa, Lonlom), Duff Is, Nendo, Utupua, Vanikoro, and Torres Is (Hiu, Loh).
tucopiae Mayr, 1937 - Tucopia I (east of Vanikoro), in Santa Cruz Group.
tenuis Mayr, 1937 - Banks Is and northern and central Vanuatu (south to �fat�).
cardinalis (Gmelin, 1788) - Southern Vanuatu (Erromango, Tanna, Aniwa, Futuna, Anatom).
lifuensis Layard, EL & Layard, ELC, 1878 - Loyalty Is (Ouv�a, Lifou, Mar�).
nigriventris Peale, 1849 - Samoa (Savai'i, Upolu and offshore islets of Apolima, Manono and Nu'utele) and western American Samoa (Tutuila).

References
See References.

Files:

JPG files for Cardinal Myzomela (Myzomela cardinalis) - 10 files

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BirdLife International

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BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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