Belford's Melidectes, is the omnipresent bird in the Baliem Valley. It is quite big for a honeyeater, has a conspicious behaviour, often occurs in small parties, it is very noisy, and is found within a broad altitudinal range. We saw these birds at the lower altitudes of about 2000 metres above sea-level, mostly in the forest interior or at the forest edge. On the higher altitudes around the lake (above 3300 metres), the birds occur in alpine dwarf shrub and dwarf forest. The birds generally feed on athropods, as well as on fruit or nectar.
The bird on the picture came to this tree, to drink sap from the tree. Apperently this tree seemed to secrete a kind of fluid on a spot where the bark had been loosened (by birds?). Belford's Melidectes as well as Grey-streaked Honeyeater were frequent visitor's to this particular spot on the tree. After I accidently discovered this, I sat a few hours hidden between the vegetation, close to the spot and waited for the birds to come to drink. This was rewarded with some fine observations and photographic opportunities.