Least Concern
This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Taxonomy: Glyciphila modesta G. R. Gray, 1858, Aru Islands. Suggestions that populations from NE Australia are intermediate between present species and R. fasciatus are not supported by any studies. Monotypic. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
West Papuan Is (Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati); Aru Is; coastal S & SE New Guinea, and also very locally in W Vogelkop (Sorong) and along N coast, with isolated records at MamberamoR, Wewak and Madang; D’Entrecasteaux Archipelago (Goodenough I, Fergusson I); islands of N Torres Strait (including Boigu, Saibai, Daru and Yam); and NE Australia (Cape York Peninsula S to about Aurukun on W coast, and along E coast S to Bowen, with occasional records on islands off E coast).
Habitat is subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.
Feeds on nectar and insects, foraging at all heights in trees and shrubs. It may be seen in mixed flocks with other honeyeaters. In Western Australia, these include the Singing Honeyeater, White-fronted Honeyeater and the Red Wattlebird, while in the Top End it is often seen with the Dusky Honeyeater. However, it will be displaced at bird feeders by larger birds.