Bird Identification – Honeyeaters

Honeyeaters are the most widespread and  noisiest forest birds in the area. At times it is hard to get a good view as they often move rapidly between trees chasing each other and making a racket. The colouration of some make identification tricky, especially when you are looking up into the foliage. 

Fuscous Honeyeater – note the small yellow neck marking

The Fuscous Honeyeater is one of the most common. It is a drab, greenish bird that is hard to track at times, especially from directly below. It can easily be confused with the White-plumed Honeyeater, particularly if you are not familiar with their  calls. 

White-plumed Honeyeater – note the white plume

Other honeyeaters of the foliage are Brown-headed and White-naped Honeyeaters and if you are lucky the Black-chinned Honeyeater. All three can be seen foraging in the upper foliage and look somewhat similar from below and to make matters worse, all three have white napes, which at first glance can be confusing – see pictures on next page. The three honeyeaters with white napes – always check the eye-ring to be sure.

 

White-named Honeyeater
Black-chinned Honeyeater
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater
New Holland Honeyeater
White-eared Honeyeater
Red Wattlebird

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