Black-headed Honeyeater

Melithreptus affinis

Honeyeaters · Passeriformes · Rare

The Black-headed Honeyeater (Melithreptus affinis) is a rare honeyeater found only in Australia, weighing about 15 g. The black-headed honeyeater is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae.

Least ConcernRareEndemicEats invertebratesforestcup nest15 g

About the Black-headed Honeyeater

The black-headed honeyeater is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is one of two members of the genus Melithreptus endemic to Tasmania. Its natural habitats are temperate forest and Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation. Despite its name, the black-headed honeyeater eats predominantly insects.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

A mid-sized honeyeater, it is olive-green above and white below, with a wholly black head that lacks the white nape of its relatives. It has a blue-white patch of bare skin around the eye. Its beak is small.

Where it lives

When to see it

Best months: January, February, March, April, May, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Black-headed Honeyeater?
A mid-sized honeyeater, it is olive-green above and white below, with a wholly black head that lacks the white nape of its relatives. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Black-headed Honeyeater?
The Black-headed Honeyeater is a small sized bird weighing about 15 g.
Where can you see a Black-headed Honeyeater?
The Black-headed Honeyeater is endemic to Australia, which is the only country where it occurs.
What birds look similar to a Black-headed Honeyeater?
The Black-headed Honeyeater is most easily confused with the Gilbert's Honeyeater, the Strong-billed Honeyeater and the Black-chinned Honeyeater.
Is the Black-headed Honeyeater endangered?
The Black-headed Honeyeater is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Black-headed Honeyeater for real

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