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Yellow-tufted HoneyeaterAlternative names: "Whisky", "Yellow Whisker" Size: 17-23 cm |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
All three races of Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters are found in the south-eastern corner of the Australian continent. Nominate race "melanops" has a range restricted to the NSW coastline. Further inland in NSW, in southern QLD (in a wide coastal strip up to about Rockhampton) and throughout most of VIC race "meltoni" is found.
Race "cassidix" is also called the "Helmeted Honeyeater"; it exists only in a very restricted habitat just to the east of Melbourne, VIC, and is critically endangered.
Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters can usually be found in eucalypt forest with undergrowth, often near water courses. They do not like to venture out into open terrain.
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Sightings |
Race "meltoni"
We have first come across birds that we identified as Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters at Sawn Rocks, Mount Kaputar National Park, some 35 km north-east of Narrabri, NSW, in 2004. Spotted there invariably, whenever we go.
Later also found further south, on the eastern fringes of the Nandewar Range, 30 km east of Narrabri, where they are also permanent residents.
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Photos |
Lateral view of a Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, with
a clear view of the yellow "tuft" protruding from the side
of its head, feeding in a mistletoe bush
The same bird as in the photo above, with its head turned
into the sunlight
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater in faint light
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater in faint light
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater photographed with a flash in fading
evening light
Probably an immature Yellow-tufted Honeyeater drinking
water from a dam; note the absence of a tail
The same immature Yellow-tufted Honeyeater as above,
now a view of its front; note the blueish base of the bill
that is not visible in the photos of adult birds
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Behaviour |
| Social behaviour: Territorial | Mobility: Dispersive/ sedentary | Elementary unit: Pair |
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Food |
Like many other honeyeaters, Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters do not exclusively feed on nectar, but take insects too. Also known to feed on fruit and sap.
