Lewin's Honeyeater

The Lewin's honeyeater, a bird of modest stature measuring 20–22 cm in length, is cloaked in a dark greenish-grey plumage. A distinctive creamy yellow gape adorns its mouth, while its large, yellowish, crescent-shaped ear-patches set it apart from its kin. Observers will note the pale yellow margins of its flight feathers during flight. This species boasts a black bill and a blue-grey eye, with both sexes appearing similar. Juvenile Lewin's honeyeaters resemble adults but have brown eyes instead.

Identification Tips

To identify the Lewin's honeyeater, look for its sizeable yellowish ear-patches, which are unique among honeyeaters, save for two smaller species in tropical Queensland. The bird's body size, its distinctive 'machine gun-like' rattling vocalizations, and the shape and size of the ear-patch are key identification features.

Habitat

The Lewin's honeyeater is partial to the more humid regions of eastern Australia, thriving in both rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest. It occasionally ventures into more open woodland, where its presence is often betrayed by its call.

Distribution

This species is found along the east coast of Australia, ranging from northern Queensland to central Victoria. It is a common sight within its preferred habitats.

Behaviour

The Lewin's honeyeater is relatively sedentary, often remaining within the same locale throughout the year. However, some individuals may migrate to lower elevations during the cooler winter months. Typically solitary, they can sometimes be observed in loose aggregations of up to 10 birds.

Song & Calls

The Lewin's honeyeater's call is a robust 'machine gun-like' rattle that can be heard over considerable distances, serving as an auditory beacon of its presence.

Breeding

Breeding season for the Lewin's honeyeater spans from September to January. Their nests are substantial cups constructed from vegetation and other materials, all held together with spider silk and lined with soft substances. The two to three oval eggs laid within are incubated for approximately 14 days, with fledglings departing the nest after another fortnight. While the division of labor in nest construction and incubation is not entirely clear, both parents are known to care for their offspring.

Diet and Feeding

Lewin's honeyeaters primarily feast on fruits, particularly berries and small fruits, but their diet also includes insects and nectar. They forage in the upper reaches of trees and on trunks, occasionally capturing insects mid-flight.

Conservation status

The Lewin's honeyeater is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.