The plain flowerpecker (Dicaeum minullum) is a bird in the family Dicaeidae. The species was described and given its binomial name by Robert Swinhoe in 1870.[1] It is found in the central Himalayas, through western Indonesia to Taiwan.

Plain flowerpecker
At Nagarkot, Nepal
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Dicaeidae
Genus: Dicaeum
Species:
D. minullum
Binomial name
Dicaeum minullum

Description

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These birds are tiny (9 cm long) and there is no marked difference between the males and females. The subspecies found in northeastern India, extending into Myanmar, Laos and southern China is called olivaceum by earlier authors but is treated by Pamela C. Rasmussen as a separate species Dicaeum minullum (which includes the population minullum from Hainan Island and is now termed as the plain flowerpecker in the more restricted sense).[2]

Behaviour and ecology

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Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. Like many flowerpeckers, it favours mistletoe for foraging.

References

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  1. ^ Gill, F and D Donsker (2011), IOC World Bird Names (version 2.9)
  2. ^ Rasmussen, P. C. & Anderton, J. C. (2005). Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Volume 2. Smithsonian Institution & Lynx Edicions. pp. 545–546.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)