These medium small birds (170-180mm) get around singly, in small groups or larger loose colonies and are readily adaptable to gardens. The bird is very active and rarely sits still long enough to give and extended view. It likes chasing other honeyeaters and aggressively competes for nectar and insects often taking these in flight. It particularly likes feeding on grevilleas.

DESCRIPTION

The New Holland honeyeater is mostly black and white, with a large yellow wing patch and yellow sides on the tail. It has a small white ear patch, a thin white whisker at the base of the bill and a white staring eye.

STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION

These birds are widely distributed throughout southeast Australia.              

PREFERRED HABITAT

It resides in woodlands and forests with undergrowth.

LIFE HISTORY

These birds make untidy, woven cup-shaped nests of twigs, grass, bark, leaves and spiderwebs. The nest is large for a bird of its size and it is usually only 2m or less above the ground The incubation of eggs is about 2 weeks and two more weeks after that the young leave the nest.

CALL

Gives abrupt metallic ‘chwik’ and long whistled ‘tseee’ in flight.

Makes harsh chattering alarm calls