Micronesian (Cardinal) Honeyeater / Egigi
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Micronesian (Cardinal) Honeyeater / Egigi
Myzomela cardinalis saffordi
Subspecies endemic to the Marianas. Endangered species; extinct on Guam.
Once common, the Micronesian Honeyeater has not been observed on Guam since 1986. Predation by the introduced brown tree snake is responsible for the bird's decline. Fortunately, this species still occurs on most other islands in the Marianas.
Known in Chamoru as the "egigi", the honeyeater was one of Guam's prettiest songbirds. Its song consisted of a melodious series of notes sung at dawn. It called other egigi with a two-note whistle.
Egigi were very active when eating nectar from the flowers of hibiscus, coconuts, and other plants. They hopped about rapidly and could visit 20 to 30 flowers per minute. Their long, curved bill helped them reach the sweet nectar. This species also ate insects that became trapped inside the flowers.
Egigi built tiny cup-shaped nests out of grasses, roots and ironwood needles glued together with spider webs. They usually laid two off-white colored eggs spotted with brown each year. Male egigi would defend a nesting and feeding area for their family. A flash of bright red was often all you would see as an angry male chased an intruder away with its loud scolding call.
Guam Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 9/27/2005
