The silver-eared honeyeater (''Lichmera alboauricularis'') is a species of

bird Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweigh ...

in the family Meliphagidae. It is found in

New Guinea New Guinea (; Hiri Motu Hiri Motu, also known as Police Motu, Pidgin Motu, or just Hiri, is a language of Papua New Guinea, which is spoken in surrounding areas of Port Moresby (Capital of Papua New Guinea). It is a simplified version of ...

. Its natural

habitat In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...

is subtropical or tropical mangrove

forest A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing, and ecological function. The United Nations' ...

Description

The Silver-eared

honeyeater The honeyeaters are a large and diverse family (biology), family, Meliphagidae, of small to medium-sized birds. The family includes the Epthianura, Australian chats, myzomelas, friarbirds, wattlebirds, Manorina, miners and melidectes. They are ...

is a sparrow-sized honeyeater with a downcurved bill, a prominent white ear mark, plain brown upperparts, and pale underparts with distinct dark mottling on the breast. Inhabits open coastal areas with canegrass and scattered trees, and also mangroves and coconut plantations. Generally occurs within vegetation close to watercourses. Combination of streaked chest, pale ear patch, and plain brown upperparts separate it from all other New Guinea honeyeaters. Vocalizations include harsh chattering and nasal “weet-weet-weet” calls, as well as a sharp “jit” note.

References

silver-eared honeyeater Birds of New Guinea silver-eared honeyeater Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{Meliphagidae-stub