Tui

Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae

Photo by Sid Mosdell (Wikipedia)

Common name:
tui (en); melífago-tui (pt); méliphage tui (fr); mielero tui (es); tui (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Meliphagidae

Range:
This species is endemic to New Zealand, where it is found throughout North Island, along the western and southern coasts of South Island, in Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands, Raoul in the Kermadec Islands and in the Auckland Islands.

Size:
These bird are 30 cm long. The males tend to be larger and weigh 95-200 g while the females weigh 70-165 g.

Habitat:
The tui is mostly found in temperate and sub-Antarctic forests, but also in open rural areas and within urban areas.

Diet:
They mainly feed on nectar, but will also eat fruits and sap. Occasionally, they also take invertebrates.

Breeding:
Tuis breed in September-January. The nest is an open cup made of twigs and sticks, and lined with leaves, ferns and moss. It is placed in a fork or the outer branches of a tree or tall scrub, 2-6 m above the ground, often well hidden among thick vines. The female lays 3-4 white or pink eggs with reddish-brown speckles, which she incubates alone for 14 days. The chicks fledge 11 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and a global population estimated at 2.500-10.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and the effects of introduced species, but it is not considered threatened at present.

Brown honeyeater

Lichmera indistincta

Photo by David Kleinert (David Kleinert Photography)

Common name:
brown honeyeater (en); melífago-castanho (pt); méliphage brunâtre (fr); mielero pardo (es); braunhonigfresser (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Meliphagidae

Range:
This species is found throughout most of Australia, with the exceptions of Southern Australia and Victoria, and also in southern New Guinea, the Torres Strait Islands, the Tiwi Islands, Bali and the Lesser Sundas, and on the Aru Islands.

Size:
These birds are 11,5-16 cm long and have a wingspan of 18-23 cm. They weigh 9-11 g.

Habitat:
The brown honeyeater is found in various wooded habitats, including mangroves, rainforests, and savannas, in scrublands, marshes and swamps, along rivers and streams, in rural gardens and in urban parks and gardens.

Diet:
They forage among the foliage on the tree canopy, taking nectar and also insects such as beetles, flies, ants, wasps and bees.

Breeding:
Brown honeyeaters can breed all year round, varying  markedly across its range. The nest is built by both sexes, consisting of an open cup made fine bark, especially Melaleuca bark, grass, plant down and sometimes paper, bound together with spider webs and lined with plant down, hair, fine grass or flowers. It is placed in a fork or horizontal branch of a tree or scrub, often near water and up to 2 m above the ground. There the female lays 1-3 white or pinkish eggs, sometimes spotted with faint reddish or brownish flecks. The eggs are incubated by the female for 13-14 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 13-17 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as locally common to moderately common. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction, especially due to habitat clearance for farming.

Striped honeyeater

Plectorhyncha lanceolata

Photo by David Cook (Flickr)

Common name:
striped honeyeater (en); melífado-lanceolado (pt); méliphage lancéolé (fr); mielero lanceolado (es); strichelhonigfresser (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Meliphagidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Australia, being found in eastern Australia, from mid-northern Queensland to northern Victoria and west to the York Peninsula, especially inland from the Great Dividing Range.

Size:
These birds are 20-25 cm longand have a wingspan of 28-36 cm. They weigh around 40 g.

Habitat:
The striped honeyeater is mostly found in dry forests and savannas, namely Casuarina, Eucalyptus, Acacia and native pines, and especially along rivers and streams. They are also found in swamp forests and mangroves, dry scrublands, hot deserts, rural gardens and even within urban areas.

Diet:
They mainly feed on insects and spiders, also taking fruits and berries, seeds, nectar and other plant sugars.

Breeding:
Striped honeyeaters breed in July-January. The nest is a suspended cup made of grasses and plant fibres and lined with fine grasses and feather, including emu feathers. It is placed at the lower end of big mistletoes or drooping branches of trees, 1-6 m above the ground. There the female lays 2-5 cream-coloured eggs with light-brown speckles, which are incubated by both sexes for 14-17 days. The chicks are fed by both parents, and sometimes also by helpers, fledging 15-17 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range but is described as rather uncommon. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats, so it is not considered threatened at present.

Blue-faced honeyeater

Entomyzon cyanotis

(Photo from Whatafy)

Common name:
blue-faced honeyeater (en); melífago-de-faces-azuis (pt); méliphage à oreillons bleus (fr); mielero cariazul (es); blauohr-honigfresser (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Meliphagidae

Range:
This species is found in northern and eastern mainland Australia, from the Kimberley region, Western Australia to near Adelaide, South Australia.

Size:
These birds are 25-32 cm long and have a wingspan of 44 cm. They weigh around 105 g.

Habitat:
The blue-faced honeyeater is found in open Eucalyptus woodlands, mangroves, dry savannas, scrublands and also in orchards, parks, golf courses and gardens.

Diet:
They feed on insects and other invertebrates, on the nectar of various native and exotic flowers and on various fruits.

Breeding:
Blue-faced honeyeaters can form breeding pairs or breed cooperatively with several helpers, typically immature birds, helping the dominant pair. They breed in July-January, most often nesting on abandoned nests of other species, or building a neat round cup made of bark, twigs and grass. The nest is placed on a tree 3-20 m above the ground. The female lays 2-3 creamy eggs with brown speckles, which are incubated for 16-17 days. The chicks are raised by both parents and the helpers and fledge about 20 days after hatching, but remain with the parents for several more weeks. Each pair raises several broods per season.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as abundant in the north of its range and uncommon in the south. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Noisy miner

Manorina melanocephala

Photo by J.J. Harrison (Wikipedia)

Common name:
noisy miner (en); melífago-barulhento (pt); méliphage bruyant (fr); mielero chillón (es); weißstirn-schwatzvogel (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Meliphagidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Australia, being found in the eastern half of the country from northern Queensland to eastern South Australia. It is also found in Tasmania.

Size:
These birds are 24-29 cm long and have a wingspan of 36-45 cm. They weigh 60-80 g.

Habitat:
The noisy miner is mostly found in dry woodlands and savannas, but also in grasslands, scrublands, pastures, arable land, rural gardens and often also in urban parks and gardens. 

Diet:
They mainly feed on nectar, but also fruits, seeds and invertebrates, also sometimes also small reptiles and amphibians. They are known to take the nectar of Jacaranda mimosifolia, Erythrina variegata, Lagunaria patersonia, Callistemon salignus, Callistemon viminalis, Eucalyptus sp., Banksia ericifolia, B. integrifolia, B. serrata, Grevillea aspleniifolia, G. banksii, G. hookeriana, G. juniperina, G. rosmarinifolia, and Chaenomeles speciosa.

Breeding:
Noisy miners breed in July-December. They form small to large colonies, with the females building the nests, deep cups woven of twigs and grasses with other plant material, animal hair and spider webs. There the female lays 2-4 white to cream, pinkish or buff coloured eggs with reddish-brown markings, which she incubates alone for about 16 days. The chicks are fed by the female and by up to 20 male helpers who bring food to several of the nests in the colony, and fledge about 16 days after hatching. They continue to receive food from adults for 4-5 weeks. Each female may raise several broods per season.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common. The population is suspected to be increasing as ongoing habitat degradation is creating new areas of suitable habitat

White-plumed honeyeater

Lichenostomus penicillatus

(Photo from PBase)

Common name:
white-plumed honeyeater (en); melífago-de-colar (pt); méliphage serti (fr); mielero empenachado (es); weißbürzel-honigfresser (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Meliphagidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Australia, being throughout the country except in the tropical north, Cape York Peninsula and the most arid areas.

Size:
White-plumed honeyeaters are 15-17 cm long and weigh around 20 g.

Habitat:
They are mainly found in open forests and woodlands, often near water and wetlands, showing a preference for areas with river red gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis. They are also found in dry scrublands, rural gardens and within urban areas.

Diet:
White-plumed honeyeaters eat nectar, insects and their products such as lerps and honeydew, manna and fruits, and occasionally some seeds.

Breeding:
These birds can breed all year round, but mostly in August-December. The nest is a small cup woven by the female from grass and spider web and lined with wool, hair or feathers. It is placed in the crown of a tree 1-20 m above the ground. There the female lays 2-4 ground colour or pink eggs with reddish spots, which she incubates alone for 10-14 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 12-14 days after hatching. Each pair raises 2-3 clutches per year.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common. This population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat degradation through the removal of trees along creeks and predation by domestic mammals. However, the white-plumed honeyeater is very adaptable to urban environments and not considered threatened at present.

New Holland honeyeater

Phylidonyris novaehollandiae

Photo by J.J. Harrison (Wikipedia)

Common name:
New Holland honeyeater (en); melífago-de-olho-branco (pt); méliphage de Nouvelle Hollande (fr); mielero de Nueva Holanda (es); weißaugen-honigfresser (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Meliphagidae


Range:
This species is found throughout southern Australia, including Tasmania, from Brisbane, Queensland, to just north of Perth, Western Australia.


Size:
These bird are 18 cm long and weigh 20 g.


Habitat:
New Holland honeyeaters are mostly found in dry scrublands, but also in dry savannas, forests, grasslands, plantations and gardens, especially where Grevillea and Banksia are found.


Diet:
They mostly feed on the nectar of native flowers, such as Banksia, Hakea, Xanthorrhoea, Grevillea and Acacia, but will also eat fruits, insects, spiders and honeydew.


Breeding:
New Holland honeyeaters breed in June-January. The cup-shaped nest is made of bark and grasses, bound together with spider webs and lined with soft materials. It is placed in a scrub or tree, from ground level up to 6 m above the ground. The female lays 1-3 light pinkish eggs with dark red and grey spots, which are incubated for 11-14 days. The chicks fledge 13-16 days after hatching. Each pair may raise 2-3 clutches per season.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and, although the population size is yet to be quantified, the New Holland honeyeater is described as common within areas of suitable habitat. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

White-naped honeyeater

Melithreptus lunatus

Photo by Russell Cockman (Russell's Astronomy)

Common name:
white-naped honeyeater (en); melífago-de-nuca-branca (pt); méliphage à lunule (fr); mielero nuquiblanco (es); mondstreif-honigschmecker (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Meliphagidae


Range:
This species is endemic to Australia, occurring in two disjunct populations, one in the eastern and south-eastern parts of the country, from northern Queensland to eastern South Australia, and another in the south-western corner of the country.


Size:
The white-naped honeyeater is 13-15 cm long and weighs around 13 g.


Habitat:
These birds are found in temperate forests and woodlands, but also in dry savannas, dry scrublands, plantations and urban parks and gardens.


Diet:
They mostly eat the nectar of a wide range of flowers, but also manna, insects and insect products such as honeydew and lerp.


Breeding:
White-naped honeyeaters can breed all year round, but mostly in September-November. They breed communally, with both the parents and helpers looking after the young, although only the female incubates the eggs. The female builds a small open cup nest made of grass, bark and spider webs, placed high up in a tall tree, usually Eucalyptus. She lays 2-3 shiny buff-pink eggs with red-brown spots, which she incubates alone for 14 days. The chicks fledge 14-15 days after hatching. Each pair raises 1-2 broods per year.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Brown-backed honeyeater

Ramsayornis modestus

(Photo from Wikipedia)

Common name:
brown-backed honeyeater (en); melífago-modesto (pt); méliphage modeste (fr); mielero modesto (es); sumpfhonigfresser (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Meliphagidae


Range:
This species is found in southern New Guinea and in north-eastern Queensland, Australia and adjacent islands.


Size:
These birds are 11 cm long and weigh 11-12 g.


Habitat:
These birds are mostly found in Melaleuca swamps and woodlands, but also occur in mangroves, rainforests, riverine vegetation, scrubland along creeks in dry woodlands and sometimes in open country.


Diet:
They eat the nectar of various plants, as well as insects and other small invertebrates.


Breeding:
Brown-backed honeyeaters breed in August-December. The nest is a domed or roofed pensile structure, made of Melaleuca bark and bound together with spider webs. The nest is placed at the end of a branch of a tree or scrub, 1-8 m above the ground and sometimes over water. The female lays 1-3 eggs which are incubated for 14-16 days. The chicks fledge 12-15 days after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as moderately common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Crow honeyeater

Gymnomyza aubryana

Photo Frédéric Desmoulins (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:

crow honeyeater (en); melífago-preto (pt); méliphage toulou (fr); mielero cuervo (es); rotgesicht-honigfresser (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Meliphagidae

Range:

This species is endemic to the island of New Caledonia, in the Pacific Ocean. It is now restricted to small populations scattered mostly in the southern parts of the island.

Size:

These birds are 35-41 cm long and weigh 200 g.

Habitat:

Crow honeyeaters occur in a humid forest/maquis matrix, usually on ultrabasic soils. They have also been recorded in dry forests and in maquis scrubs up to 2 km away from forested areas. These birds are present at altitudes of 100-1.000 m.

Diet:

They forage on the canopy or mid-storey, feeding on invertebrates and nectar.

Breeding:

Crow honeyeaters nest in a crud cup with a thick wall and little to no lining. The nest is placed at the end of a branch, in a tree 10-20 m above the ground. There the female lays 2 eggs which are incubated for 21 days. The chicks fledge 27 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - CR (Critically endangered)

This species has a very small breeding range and a global population estimated at 50-250 individuals. Although there is no detailed data on population trends, the available information suggests a very rapid decline is taking place. This is mostly due to forest loss and degradation caused by logging, nickel mining and fires, as well to severe predation pressure by introduced rats. Nests are poorly camouflaged and presumably easy to locate, also being depredated by endemic predators such as the New Caledonian crow Corvus moneduloides and the white-bellied goshawk Accipiter haplochrous.