Cardinal Myzomela

Cardinal Myzomela
M. c. tenuis, Vanuatu
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Meliphagidae
Genus: Myzomela
Species: M. cardinalis
Binomial name
Myzomela cardinalis
(Gmelin, 1788)

The Cardinal Myzomela (Myzomela cardinalis) is a species of bird in the Honeyeater family. It is named for the scarlet color of the male. It is found in American Samoa, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. [1] It frequents areas with flowers, such as gardens. This is a small, active bird, measuring about 13 cm (5.1 in) from bill to tail.[2] Males are red and black in coloration, females are grayish-olive, sometimes with a red cap or red head. Its long, curved bill is especially adapted for reaching into flowers for nectar. [3]

References

  1. ^ "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". http://www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved 26 July 2007. 
  2. ^ Pratt, et al, H. Douglas (1987). The Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-02399-9. 
  3. ^ Craig, P.. "Natural History Guide to American Samoa". National Park of American Samoa, Department Marine and Wildlife Resources, American Samoa Community College. http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/NatHistGuideAS09op.pdf. Retrieved 15 January 2010.