Cardinal myzomela facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cardinal myzomela |
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| M. c. tenuis, Vanuatu | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Myzomela
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| Species: |
cardinalis
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The cardinal myzomela (Myzomela cardinalis) is a super cool little bird that's part of the honeyeater family. It gets its name because the male birds are a bright, fiery red, just like the robes worn by a cardinal! You can find these active birds living in places like American Samoa, New Caledonia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
These birds love places with lots of flowers. This includes subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, mangrove forests, and even gardens! They are small, busy birds, usually about 13 cm (5.1 in) long from their beak to their tail.
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What Do They Look Like?
Male cardinal myzomelas are easy to spot because they are bright red and black. Female birds are a bit different. They are usually grayish-olive. Sometimes, they might have a little red on their head or a red cap.
These birds have a special long, curved beak. It's perfect for reaching deep into flowers. This helps them get to the sweet nectar inside, which is a big part of their diet.
Where Do They Live?
Cardinal myzomelas live on many islands in the South Pacific. They are found in:
They prefer habitats where they can find plenty of flowers. This includes lush forests and coastal areas with mangrove trees. You might even spot them in gardens!
How Did They Get Their Name?
The cardinal myzomela was first officially described in 1788. A German scientist named Johann Friedrich Gmelin gave it its scientific name. He based his description on notes and drawings from an English bird expert, John Latham. Latham had seen a specimen of the bird that came from the island of Tanna in Vanuatu.
Today, the cardinal myzomela is one of about 40 different kinds of honeyeaters. All these birds belong to a group called Myzomela.
Different Kinds of Cardinal Myzomelas
Even though they are all cardinal myzomelas, there are eight different types, called subspecies. These subspecies look very similar but live in slightly different places. Here are some of them:
- M. c. pulcherrima: Found on islands like Makira and Ugi in the southeast Solomon Islands.
- M. c. sanfordi: Lives on Rennell Island in the southern Solomon Islands.
- M. c. sanctaecrucis: Found in the Temotu Province (like the Santa Cruz Islands) and Torres Islands.
- M. c. tucopiae: Lives on Tikopia, a far southeast island in the Solomon Islands.
- M. c. tenuis: Found from the Banks Islands to Efate in Vanuatu.
- M. c. cardinalis: Lives on Erromango, Tanna, and Aneityum in southern Vanuatu.
- M. c. lifuensis: Found in the Loyalty Islands, which are part of New Caledonia.
- M. c. nigriventris: Lives on Savaii and Upolu in western Samoa, and Tutuila in American Samoa.
Sometimes, birds that look similar to the cardinal myzomela are later found to be different species. For example, the Micronesian myzomela used to be thought of as the same bird, but it's now considered a separate species.
