Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Dusky Myzomela
Myzomela obscura
Dusky Myzomela (Myzomela obscura) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 12 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Dusky Myzomela (Myzomela obscura) is a member of the Meliphagidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 11.9 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Meliphagidae Honeyeaters
- Genus Myzomela
- Species obscura
Quick facts
- Weight
- 11.9 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Dusky Myzomela is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Dusky Myzomela is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Dusky Myzomela (Myzomela obscura) belongs to the Meliphagidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU s New Guinea and n, ne Australia.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 11.9 g, with a wing length of about 6.8 cm and a tail of around 5.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 764,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Dusky Myzomela?
The Dusky Myzomela is a very small bird that weighs around 11.9 g.
Where does the Dusky Myzomela live?
The Dusky Myzomela is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU s New Guinea and n, ne Australia, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Dusky Myzomela belong to?
The Dusky Myzomela (Myzomela obscura) belongs to the Meliphagidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Dusky Myzomela eat?
The Dusky Myzomela is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Dusky Myzomela migrate?
The Dusky Myzomela is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Dusky Myzomela endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Dusky Myzomela make?
1 real field recording of the Dusky Myzomela — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Dusky Myzomela's range?
The Dusky Myzomela has a mapped global range of about 764,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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