There are 12 species of birds in the Melanocharitidae family. They are found only on the island of New Guinea, including both Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

These are small birds that live mainly in forests. Their feathers are usually gray, brown, olive, black, or white, although some species have brighter colors. Males and females can look different in some species.

Berrypeckers have short, sturdy bills, while longbills have longer, thinner bills. They usually forage alone or in pairs, searching among trees and other plants for berries and small fruits. They also eat insects and other small invertebrates.