New Holland Honeyeater
Scientific Name: Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
Size: Total Length 17 to 18.5 cm
What does it look and sound like?
The New Holland Honeyeater is mostly black and white in colour, 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 eye.
Sexes are similar in looks, but females are slightly smaller in size. Young birds are browner and have a grey eye.
One very similar species is the White-cheeked Honeyeater, P. nigra. This species has a single large white cheek patch and a dark eye.
New Holland Honeyeater calls are made up of a loud “chik” a fainter “pseet” and some chattering notes. If danger approaches, such as a bird of prey, the group of Honeyeaters joint together and give a loud alarm call.
Where is it found?
Its range extends throughout southern Australia, from about Brisbane, Queensland, to just north of Perth, Western Australia.
What are its habitats & habits?
The New Holland Honeyeater is common in heath, forests, woodland and gardens, mainly where grevilleas and banksias are found. It is inquisitive and approaches humans. It also mixes with other types of honeyeaters.
Members of this species are active feeders. They mostly feed on the nectar of flowers, and busily dart from flower to flower in search of this high-energy food. Other food items include fruit, insects and spiders. Birds may feed alone, but more normally gather in quite large groups. Most feeding takes place in lower areas of bushes and thickets.
The New Holland Honeyeater breeds at any time of the year, but most activity takes place in summer and winter. The cup-shaped nest is made of bark and grasses, which are bound together with spider web. It is lined with soft material and is placed in a bush or tree, anywhere from ground level to 6 m. The 2 to 3 eggs hatch after about 18 days and the young leave the nest after a further 16 days. Both sexes feed the chicks. Due to the long breeding season, 2 or 3 broods may be raised in a year.
This species features in my book Australia’s Birdwatching Megaspots
