Alor myzomela

The Alor myzomela (Myzomela prawiradilagae) is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae, the honeyeaters. It is endemic to the Indonesian island of Alor, where it is the only representative member of the genus Myzomela. It is named after Dewi Malia Prawiradilaga, an ornithologist at the Indonesian Institute of Science and one of the first leading female Indonesian ornithologists.[1][2]

Alor myzomela
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Meliphagidae
Genus: Myzomela
Species:
M. prawiradilagae
Binomial name
Myzomela prawiradilagae
Irham et al., 2019

Taxonomy

It closely resembles and is most closely related to the crimson-hooded myzomela (M. kuehni) of the adjacent island of Wetar. However, it noticeably differs in its calls and morphology.[1]

Distribution

The Alor myzomela is restricted to a few montane areas of Alor Island, where it lives in Eucalyptus woodlands primarily composed of white gum (Eucalyptus alba) and Timor mountain gum (Eucalyptus urophylla), as well as wattles (Acacia sp.) and sheoak (Casuarina junghuhniana). This restricted distribution is in contrast to its close relative M. kuehni, which is among the most common birds on its islands; this difference may be due to the different habitat requirements of the two species.[1]

Diet

They have been observed feeding on the fruit of Himalayan chokeberry (Photinia integrifolia) in small groups along with ashy-bellied white-eyes (Zosterops citrinellus). They also feed on the flowers of Eucalyptus alba, as well as occasionally insects.[1][2]

Threats

This species is at high risk due to its severely restricted and fragmented distribution, which is compounded by the growing human population on the island. Thus, it has been proposed that the species be classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.[1][2]

References
  1. Irham, Mohammad; Ashari, Hidayat; Suparno; Trainor, Colin R.; Verbelen, Philippe; Wu, Meng Yue; Rheindt, Frank E. (2019-10-05). "A new Myzomela honeyeater (Meliphagidae) from the highlands of Alor Island, Indonesia". Journal of Ornithology. 161: 313–324. doi:10.1007/s10336-019-01722-2. ISSN 2193-7206. S2CID 203658792.
  2. "New Bird Species Discovered in Indonesia: Alor Myzomela | Biology | Sci-News.com". Breaking Science News | Sci-News.com. Retrieved 2019-10-08.
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