White-plumed Honeyeater

Images ©:
©Bob Winters

Ptilotula penicillatus

Medium-sized honeyeater, up to 16 cm. Upperparts yellow olive-grey. Pale brown-grey below. Wings mostly brown above, with olive or olive-yellow edges.

Details
Type
Bird
Group
Animals
Honeyeater
Biology

Breeding season: August to December. Clutch size is two to three. Nest is cup-shaped. The female incubates the eggs. Both sexes feed the young, often with the aid of other birds.

Distinctive Markings

Yellow head with white neck plumage, bordered above with black.

Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Meliphagidae
Genus
Ptilotula
Species
penicillatus

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

White-plumed Honeyeaters aggressively defend their territories, often grouping together to drive larger birds away. They are often the first birds to respond to the presence of a predator.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Omnivore. Feeds on nectar and insects.

Habitat

Found in open sclerophyll forests and near wetlands.

Native Status
Native to Australia
Audio
Sounds
Alarm call is a raucous, nasal "Cak - ak - ak - ak - ak - ark". Clear, sharp 'Whitch - a whee", "Whitch - a - whi"', "Whit - a - wheee"', "Whit - a - wheeet".