Meliphagidae, Vigors, 1825

Andersen, Michael J., Fatdal, Lilly, Mauck III, William M. & Smith, Brian Tilston, 2017, An ornithological survey of Vanuatu on the islands of Éfaté, Malakula, Gaua, and Vanua Lava, Check List 13 (6), pp. 755-782 : 763-764

Meliphagidae

Myzomela cardinalis ( Gmelin, 1788) , Cardinal Myzomela : Figure 2F

Gliciphila notabilis ( Sharpe, 1899) , Vanuatu Honeyeater: Figure 2G, H

The Vanuatu Honeyeater is endemic to northern Vanuatu, from Epi north to Ureparapara Island in the

Banks Group. This species has 2 described subspecies ( notabilis in the north, superciliaris in the south; Dutson 2011). We observed it as fairly common only in large tracts of forest on Malakula (superciliaris; Fig. 2G) and Vanua Lava ( notabilis ; Fig. 2H), where it congregated in small groups of 3–10 birds in flowering trees. This obser- vation was particularly evident on Vanua Lava where flocks were gregarious and noisy at dawn and dusk. Kratter et al. (2006) observed similar behavior on Santo Island. Gliciphila notabilis is the largest of 3 honeyeater ( Meliphagidae ) species in Vanuatu. It is a medium-sized, brown-and-white passerine with a salt-and-peppered face and decurved black bill. Its IUCN status is Least Concern. Of 3 specimens of notabilis , 2 had moderate to heavy fat loads and exhibited wing and body molt. All 3 had stomach contents of insects. One female had a convoluted oviduct, but with small follicles on 10 December 2014; others showed no signs of breeding evidence.

Curiously, Vanuatu Honeyeater is not known from Gaua Island, but MJA heard 1 bird on 4 December 2014 believed to be this species. It was vocalizing on the east shore of Lake Letes in pre-montane primary forest. Unfortunately, it was not seen and no concrete evidence was garnered; thus, we treat this record as provisional.

Lichmera incana griseoviridis ( Latham, 1790) , Darkbrown Honeyeater: Figure 3A