Honeyeaters (Meliphagidae)

Tagula Honeyeater (Meliphaga vicina) - HBW 13, p. 591

French: Méliphage de Tagula German: Tagulahonigfresser Spanish: Mielero de la Tagula
Other common names: Tagula/Louisiades/Sudest Meliphaga, Louisiades/Sudest Honeyeater

Taxonomy: Ptilotis analoga vicina Rothschild and E. J. O. Hartert, 1912, Sudest Island = Tagula Island, Louisiade Archipelago, 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. gracilis, M. cinereifrons, M. mimikae, M. montana, M. flavirictus, M. albilineata, M. fordiana and M. reticulata. Appears to be close to, and may be conspecific with, either M. analoga or M. gracilis. Monotypic.

Distribution: Tagula I, in Louisiade Archipelago, off SE New Guinea.