Dicaeum hirundinaceum

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Family

Dicaeidae

Genus

Dicaeum

Species

hirudinaceum

Common Names

Mistletoebird, Mistletoe Flowerpecker, Australian Flowerpecker

Distinguishing Features

The head and back of this small bird of 10-11cm is very glossy black. It is most noticeable by its bright orange-red throat, breast and rump. Its underparts are white with a thick black stripe running from its breast to its rump. Females have a grey head, back, feathers and tail, with very pale, creamy-grey underparts and a pale red rump. Young birds are similar to females, with a yellow patch at the base of their bill.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

Birdsong is loud and spirited, with sharp, high-pitched calls.

Similar Species

The Scarlet Honeyeater (Myzomela sanguinolenta) is similarly sized, but with a noticably long, downward curved bill. Male Scarlet Honeyeaters are different due to their entirely red head and back. Welcome Swallows (Hirundo neoxena ) have similar colourings, but have much longer tails.

Distribution

This species is found right across mainland Australia and in Papua New Guinea and eastern Indonesia.

Country of Origin

Australia

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

Numbers have fluctuated greatly since 1981, remaining fairly constant overall (COG).

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999.

LSCCES Population

Eight sightings were made at CSIRO during the survey.

Associated vegetation community

This species can be found in any forest where mistletoe grows, from coastal wet eucalypt forest, to woodland, to semi-arid areas.

Limiting Resources

This species is confined to areas with mistletoe. It has also been found sensitive to habitat simplification, requiring a mix of trees, shrubs and ground cover.

Breeding

Local Mistletoebirds breed in Canberra's surrounding forests from November to March. Their neat pear-shaped nest has a thin side slot and is suspended from an outer tree limb. It is built from soft vegetation bound with a spider web. Females build and incubate 3 white eggs before both parents feed the young for about 15days before the young fly from the nest.

Behaviour

Mistletoe birds sit alone or in pairs, flying and perching high through mistletoe-covered trees. Birds are usually only noticed by their call. When feeding on the mistletoe berries, the bird first removes the skin, and eats the jelly-like fruit. The bird gives a sideways bob to excrete the seed, wiping it on a nearby branch and starting the growth of a new mistletoe plant. This species migrates into the Canberra region for the summer, with numbers peaking in November. The bird moves further towards the coast for the winter months.

Functional Group

Fruit-eater

Food Species

This species eats only mistletoe berries and catches insects to feed to young.

Predators

Due to the high flying and perching behaviour of this species, they are less susceptible to attacks from predator species.

Interesting Fact

The smoothly rounded, wool-like appearance of the nest has led many to describe it as a baby's bootee.