Alternative names: Striated Berrypecker; Green Berrypecker
- Melanocharis striativentris
Identification
12.7 - 14cm. A dull-coloured, medium-sized Berrypecker.
- Olive-green upperparts
- Olive-grey throat and underparts
- Whitish or yellowish streaked underparts, mainly on lower breast
- Olive grey-brown underwing-coverts
- Distinctive dull buff eyering
Females are larger than males but they have a shorter tail. Immatures are similar to adults.
Similar species
Females of Fan-tailed Berrypecker and Mid-mountain Berrypecker are similar. Note the buff eyering, orange-buff gape and streaked appearance of underparts.
Distribution
Endemic to the mountains of New Guinea.
Uncommon to rare but described as common to abundant in some places.
Taxonomy
Three subspecies recognized:
- M. s. axillaris in western and west-central New Guinea (Weyland Mountains and Snow Mountains)
- M. s. striativentris in the mountains of east-central and southeast New Guinea
- M. s. chrysocome in the mountains of the Huon Peninsula in northeast New Guinea
The proposed subspecies prasina and albicauda are usually not accepted and merged in the nominate subspecies.
Habitat
Forest, secondary growth and forest edges in mountains. Occurs from 1150m to 2300m, rarely lower or higher.
Overlaps in lower parts with Mid-mountain Berrypecker, in higher parts with Fan-tailed Berrypecker.
Behaviour
Few information about diet. Known to feed on small berries.
Forages in middle level of forest and shrubs.
A secretive and easily overlooked species, less active than other Berrypeckers.
Breeding poorly known. The nest is a cup-shaped structure, similar to the one of Black Berrypecker. Lays 2 eggs.
Probably a nomadic species, but possible movements poorly understood.
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
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2008. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13: Penduline-tits to Shrikes. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553453
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Streaked Berrypecker. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 13 October 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Streaked_Berrypecker
