Honeyeaters (Meliphagidae)

Huon Honeyeater (Melidectes foersteri) - HBW 13, p. 614

French: Méliphage de Foerster German: Foersterhonigfresser Spanish: Mielero de Foerster
Other common names: Huon Wattled/Foerster’s Honeyeater, Huon (Wattled)/Foerster’s Melidectes

Taxonomy: Melirrhophetes foersteri Rothschild and E. J. O. Hartert, 1911, Rawlinson Mountains, Huon Peninsula, north-east New Guinea.
Study of relationships within genus needed. Forms a superspecies with M. leucostephes, M. belfordi and M. rufocrissalis; all four, along with M. ochromelas and M. torquatus, comprise a group of relatively large species that differ from others in genus in size, morphology, plumage and voice. Considered a race of M. belfordi by some authors, but may be closer to M. leucostephes or M. rufocrissalis. Monotypic.

Distribution: Huon Peninsula (Saruwaged Mts), in NE New Guinea.