Black-headed Honeyeater

The black-headed honeyeater, Melithreptus affinis, presents a striking figure with its wholly black head, contrasting against an olive-green back and a pristine white underbelly. This mid-sized bird is further adorned with a distinctive blue-white patch of bare skin encircling its eye, and a modestly sized beak.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the black-headed honeyeater, look for the absence of a white nape, which distinguishes it from its relatives. Its black head, combined with the olive-green and white plumage, makes it a unique sight amongst the Tasmanian avifauna.

Habitat

This species is a true Tasmanian endemic, favoring a variety of habitats from wet and dry sclerophyll forests to scrub and heathland. It can also be found in subalpine environments, ascending to altitudes as high as 1200 meters.

Distribution

The black-headed honeyeater is found exclusively in Tasmania, including King Island and the Furneaux Group, where it has adapted to a range of local environments.

Behaviour

These birds exhibit a specialized foraging behavior, preferring to search among the foliage of trees rather than probing the trunks. This method reduces competition for food with the strong-billed honeyeater, which has a similar diet but different foraging technique.

Diet and Feeding

Despite its name, the black-headed honeyeater's diet consists predominantly of insects and spiders, supplemented by the nectar of flowers. Observers may note the bird's typical foraging position, often hanging upside down from branches in its quest for food.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List currently classifies the black-headed honeyeater as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival at this time.