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Lewin's Honeyeater

(Meliphaga lewinii)
Alternative names: "Yellow-eared Honeyeater", "Banana-bird"
Size: 19-22 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

The range of the three races of Lewin's Honeyeaters extends all along the east coast of the Australian continent, from almost the tip of Cape York, QLD, to Melbourne, VIC. The two races in QLD, "amphochlora" (north of about Cairns) and "mab" (south of Cairns, to about Rockhampton) are mostly found in dense rainforest on the slopes of the ranges, not on the narrow coastal strip. The southernmost race, nominate race "lewinii", is found both on the coastal strip and on the slopes, from about Rockhampton, QLD, to Melbourne, VIC. While the two northern races only occasionally extend their range towards the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range in QLD, race "lewinii" is regularly observed throughout the Great Dividing Range in NSW (see our report below). Further south they are observed as far to the west as Canberra, ACT.

Lewin's Honeyeaters have been observed by us consistently in dense, wet forest, including the underbrush of rain forest. They adapt quite well to the presence of humans and will also enter densely vegetated urban parks and gardens. They are active during wet weather, while other birds are roosting.

Sightings

Lewin's Honeyeaters are a common sight along the east coast of the Australian continent, but rare west of the Great Dividing Range. First seen by us in the area from Dorrigo to Grafton, on the NSW north coast, in 2004. In 2011 also found further south along the NSW coast, first near Urunga Heads and Hat Head, then Wingham Nature Reserve and various locations along the NSW Central Coast.

Spotted and photographed by C. Kellenberg at Sawn Rocks, Mt. Kaputar National Park, in March 2008. Seen again at the same location in January 2012. Also seen by us 30 km east of Narrabri, in the western foothills of the Nandewar Range, in January 2009. Found also at Dripping Rock, about 50 km SSE of Narrabri, NSW, in October 2011.

Seen by C. Kellenberg at Depot Beach, Murramarang National Park, NSW, in February 2009.

Also spotted by us in many different locations throughout southern and central QLD in July 2009, in particular in coastal areas, but also as far inland as Bunya Mountains National Park and Girraween National Park.

Photos

Race "lewinii"

Near-frontal view of a Lewin's Honeyeater; this bird was out and about foraging in drenching rain, when all other birds were roosting

Lateral view of a Lewin's Honeyeater; photo courtesy of C. Kellenberg

Lewin's Honeyeater checking out the photographer

Here seen more laterally

Curious Lewin's Honeyeater; photo courtesy of C. Kellenberg

Here a bird seen preening

This bird was seen at a rock pool on the western side of the Great Dividing Range

Frontal view of a juvenile Lewin's Honeyeater; photo courtesy of C. Kellenberg

Race "mab"

This bird was spotted near Byfield National Park, QLD

Food

Like many other honeyeaters, Lewin's Honeyeaters do not exclusively feed on nectar, but use their sticky tongue to take insects too, on which they feed primarily. Known to take fruit as well.

First check out the banksia flower...

...then dig in!

Here a bird seen feeding on a bottlebrush flower