Other Names (World)
Bismarck Black Myzomela, Ebony Myzomela, Ebony Honeyeater, Admiralty Honeyeater, Bismarck Honeyeater, Bismarck Black Honeyeater, Bismarck Island Honeyeater, Black Honeyeater, Admiralty Myzomela, Bismarck Myzomela, Black Myzomela, Islet Myzomela
Bismarck Black Myzomela (Myzomela pammelaena) [XC169632]
by id from Tsoilik, New Hanover, Papua New Guinea (call, song)
Subspecies
Forms a superspecies with Red-capped Myzomela (Myzomela lafargei), Black-headed Myzomela (Myzomela melanocephala), Crimson-rumped Myzomela (Myzomela eichhorni), Malaita Myzomela (Myzomela malaitae) and Sooty Myzomela (Myzomela tristrami), and formerly suggested that all may be conspecific. This group possibly closely related to the Cardinal Myzomela (Myzomela cardinalis) superspecies. Formerly treated as conspecific with Papuan Black Myzomela (Myzomela nigrita). Population of Wuvulu I currently placed in subspecies ernstmayri, but may belong to a different subspecies. Subspecies identity of recently observed individuals on Timor I (in Kimbe Bay), off north-central New Britain, uncertain (possibly nigerrima). Subspecies differences slight.
The following 5 subspecies are recognised:
ernstmayri Meise, 1929 - Small islands west of Admiralty
Is, including Wuvulu, Manu, Ninigo, Anchorites (Kaniet) and Hermit.
pammelaena Sclater, 1877 - Admiralty Is (eastern Manus,
probably established; Rambutyo, Lou, Nauna, and other small islands,
including Mandrin, Baluan, Sivisa, Los Reyes, San Miguel, Ponam,
Hauwei and Tong).
hades Meise, 1929 - St Matthias Group (Mussau, Eloaua,
Emirau and Tench), Nwest of New Hanover.
ramsayi Finsch, 1886 - Tingwon I and small islands off
New Hanover (e.g. Tigak) and off northern New Ireland, in Bismarck
Archipelago.
nigerrima Salomonsen, 1966 - Islands of Long, Crown and
Tolokiwa and associated small islets (including Midi, Hein and islets
of Siassi Group), between north-eastern New Guinea and Umboi.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet