Macgregor’s Bird of Paradise or Macgregor’s Giant Honeyeater and Ochre-winged Honeyeater
The Macgregor’s Bird of Paradise, Macgregoria pulchra, also known as Macgregor’s Giant Honeyeater and Ochre-winged Honeyeater, is a monogamous species that inhabits the subalpine forests of New Guinea. It is the only member of the genus Macgregoria.
The name commemorates its discoverer, the administrator of British New Guinea Sir William MacGregor.
This puzzling and little-known species has traditionally been considered a Bird of Paradise but is actually a honeyeater.
Recent genetic evidence on the Macgregor’s Giant Honeyeater confirms that it belongs to the Meliphagidae family. It is similar and closely related to the Smoky Honeyeater.
Description
This is a large (up to 40cm long) black crow-like bird with large orange-yellow eye-wattles and black-tipped ochre primary wing feathers.
Males and females look alike, with the male being slightly larger than the female.
Diet / Feeding
The diet consists mainly of fruits.
Status
Due to its small and declining population, the Macgregor’s Giant Honeyeater is evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES.
