Honeyeaters (Meliphagidae)
Elegant Honeyeater (Meliphaga cinereifrons) - HBW 13, p. 592
French: Méliphage de Rand
German: Graustirn-Honigfresser
Spanish: Mielero Elegante
Other common names: Eastern Graceful/Stevens's Honeyeater
Taxonomy: Meliphaga gracilis cinereifrons Rand, 1936, Rona, south-east New Guinea.
On basis of molecular evidence, genus consists of two clades; present species is part of group which contains also M. orientalis, M. analoga, M. albonotata, M. vicina, M. gracilis, M. mimikae, M. montana, M. flavirictus, M. albilineata, M. fordiana and M. reticulata. Sometimes considered conspecific with M. gracilis. Name stevensi (from N watershed of SE New Guinea) has been used for a race variously of present species or of M. analoga, and it is not certain at present to which (if either) the t.. View all taxonomy...
On basis of molecular evidence, genus consists of two clades; present species is part of group which contains also M. orientalis, M. analoga, M. albonotata, M. vicina, M. gracilis, M. mimikae, M. montana, M. flavirictus, M. albilineata, M. fordiana and M. reticulata. Sometimes considered conspecific with M. gracilis. Name stevensi (from N watershed of SE New Guinea) has been used for a race variously of present species or of M. analoga, and it is not certain at present to which (if either) the type specimen applies; recent genetically based investigations indicate that specimens attributed to stevensi include cryptic variants of both species; further study currently in progress. Temporarily treated as monotypic, pending identification of northern form.
Distribution: Foothills and coasts of SE New Guinea E to Milne Bay (including Sariba I), in N from at least Goodenough Bay (Nowata), and in S from Malalaua. Also (racially distinct, identity uncertain) N watershed of SE New Guinea.
- Least Concern
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