Honeyeaters (Meliphagidae)

Kimberley Honeyeater (Meliphaga fordiana) - HBW 13, p. 595

French: Méliphage du Kimberley German: Kimberleyhonigfresser Spanish: Mielero de Kimberley
Other common names: White-striped Honeyeater

Taxonomy: Meliphaga fordiana Schodde, 1989, Mitchell River Falls, Mitchell Plateau, Kimberley Division, north-west Australia.
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. cinereifrons, M. mimikae, M. montana, M. flavirictus, M. albilineata and M. reticulata. Until recently treated as conspecific with M. albilineata; molecular analyses indicate that both are closely aligned also to M. reticulata and that these are best treated as three separate species. Monotypic.

Distribution: N Western Australia: Kimberley Division from Admiralty Gulf and Drysdale R S to King Leopold Ranges, E to Drysdale River National Park, and including islands off NW coast (Boongaree, Bigge and Wollaston, in Bonaparte Archipelago).