Gilbert's Honeyeater

In the verdant expanses of southwestern Australia, one may encounter the Gilbert's honeyeater, a mid-sized bird with a striking appearance. Its plumage is a tapestry of olive-green above, contrasting with the pure white below. The head, nape, and throat are cloaked in black, while a white patch graces the eye and a crescent-shaped white nape offers a distinctive mark. The bill, a brownish-black, complements the dull red eyes, creating a visage that is both elegant and arresting.

Identification Tips

When traversing the Australian landscape, the Gilbert's honeyeater can be identified by its unique coloration. The black head and white eye patch are telltale signs, as is the white crescent on the nape, which is notably thinner than that of its relatives. The bird's bill and tarsus are longer than those of the closely related white-naped honeyeater, and its overall size is marginally greater.

Habitat

The Gilbert's honeyeater is a denizen of dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands, favoring the towering eucalypts of jarrah, karri, and marri inland, as well as tuart and flooded gum near the coast. It also thrives in wandoo woodlands, adapting to the diverse arboreal landscapes of its home range.

Distribution

This species is endemic to the southwest corner of Western Australia, with its range extending from Moora in the north to Stokes Inlet along the coast, and inland to the Stirling Range. It is a bird that is generally sedentary, though some local nomadic movements have been observed.

Behaviour

The Gilbert's honeyeater is primarily arboreal, foraging among the foliage and blossoms of eucalypts. It is an adept hunter of arthropods and insects, supplementing its diet with nectar, manna, honeydew, and lerp. This bird is less commonly found on the Swan Coastal Plain than in the past, and it has disappeared from some areas such as Kellerberrin.

Song & Calls

Listeners can identify the Gilbert's honeyeater by its harsh, grating call, as well as a persistent, single-noted "tsip" that punctuates the air.

Breeding

The breeding season for Gilbert's honeyeater spans from September to February. Nests, cup-shaped and woven from bark fibers, rootlets, and dry grasses, are often concealed within the branches of trees. The eggs, typically two in number and adorned with reddish-brown and grey spots, are incubated for 14 days. The altricial young are born naked and blind but soon grow a covering of down and fledge after 14 days in the nest.

Conservation status

The Gilbert's honeyeater is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population within its native range.