Satin berrypecker

Satin berrypecker is a newly discovered species of berrypecker found in the wilderness of the Kumawa Mountains west of New Guinea. Before this discovery, the genus Melanocharis had 5 species – black berrypecker, mid-mountain berrypecker, streaked berrypecker, fantailed berrypecker and obscure berrypecker.  The satin berrypecker is second species to be identified in New Guinea in the last 8 decades.

The new species is distinct in its coloration, morphological measurements and genetic makeup. Its main features include blue-black upperparts, satin-white underparts washed lemon yellow, and white outer edges to the external rectrices.