Blue-faced Honeyeater

Entomyzon cyanotis

The Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis), known colloquially as the Bananabird, is a striking passerine bird belonging to the honeyeater family, Meliphagidae. It is the sole representative of its genus, Entomyzon. This species is notable for its sizeable stature, measuring approximately 29.5 cm (11.6 in) in length, making it large for a honeyeater. The adult's plumage is a vivid contrast of olive upperparts and white underparts, with a black head and throat. A white nape and cheeks frame the face, which is adorned with a distinctive blue patch of bare skin, a feature that distinguishes adults from the juveniles' yellow or green facial patches.

Identification Tips

To identify the Blue-faced Honeyeater, look for the blue skin around the eyes, which is a key characteristic of the adult bird. The black head and throat, white nape, and cheek stripes, along with the olive upperparts and white underparts, are also distinctive. Males and females appear similar in external appearance. Juveniles can be recognized by their grey heads and the absence of the blue facial skin, which develops as they mature.

Habitat

The Blue-faced Honeyeater inhabits a variety of environments, including open woodlands, parks, and gardens. It is also found in rainforests, dry sclerophyll forests, Pandanus thickets, and mangroves, as well as urban areas where it frequents parks and gardens.

Distribution

This species is commonly found in northern and eastern Australia and southern New Guinea. It is sedentary in some parts of its range and locally nomadic in others. The bird's distribution extends from the Kimberleys in northwestern Australia across to Queensland and south to Victoria and southeastern South Australia.

Behaviour

The Blue-faced Honeyeater is a social bird, often seen in pairs, family groups, or small flocks. It may associate with Yellow-throated Miners and is known to mob potential threats. Cooperative breeding has been observed, with some breeding pairs having helper birds. These honeyeaters are also known for their playful behavior and fondness for bathing.

Song & Calls

The bird produces a variety of calls, including a distinctive piping call before dawn and various squeaking noises during flight. It also makes harsh squawks when mobbing predators.

Breeding

Breeding occurs from June to January, with the Blue-faced Honeyeater often renovating old babbler nests. The female lays two or rarely three eggs, which she incubates alone. Both parents, sometimes with helpers, feed the young.

Similar Species

The Blue-faced Honeyeater can be distinguished from the duller-plumaged friarbirds, miners, and wattlebirds by its coloration and size. It is much larger than the similarly colored Melithreptus honeyeaters.

Diet and Feeding

The diet primarily consists of invertebrates, supplemented with nectar and fruit. They forage in trees and are known to be attracted to cultivated crops such as bananas and grapes. They are also inquisitive birds that may investigate campsites for food.