Myzomela

This is another very small honeyeater, found almost exclusively in mangrove habitats in coastal areas of far north Australia. The female is a plain grey with some faint red colouring around the face and chin. The male has a full, bright red cap along with a red rump. 

Despite the bright colour, they are cryptic and difficult to find. However, they are so attractive it is worth spending time finding them, particularly the male.

The Scarlet Myzomela is the most common and widespread of the 3 species. Field guides say they prefer wet forests but I have only ever seen them in drier areas of Queensland. They tend to stay in the top of the canopy where the male sings its short, repetitive call. He is incredibly vivid with red on most of the body and black wings. The juvenile male (pictured below right) has variable amounts of red as it moults into adulthood. The female is very plain, a uniform pale brown.