Alternative names: Black-breasted Honeyeater
- Gymnomyza samoensis
Amoromyza samoensis
Identification
Length: 31cm
Large, dark Honeyeater with a black head shading into dark olive green on the back and rump. Breast and foreflanks dark olive green with broadish black shaft sreaks. Hind flanks and ventral area yellow, washed olive. Wings dark olive green with thin yellow margins on coverts and secondaries. Tail blackish olive with yellowish margins to the basal half of the feathers. Eye dark, legs and bill black.
Sexes identical.
Distribution
Upolu (possibly only on Mount Silisili), Savai'i (Vaisiango watershed and O Le Pupu-Pu'e National Park) Samoa. May still possibly be on Tutuiala, American Samoa.
Extremely rare / endangered.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Rainforests.
Behaviour
Usually shy and elusive. Some individuals can be quite curious, offering good views.
Vocalisation
Voiice: Squeaky rusty gate cries repeated.
Song: a cat-like wail, with low, hoarse notes.
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Mao. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 12 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Mao
