Blue-faced Honeyeater

About the Blue-faced Honeyeater

The blue-faced honeyeater, also colloquially known as the bananabird, is a passerine bird of the honeyeater family, Meliphagidae. It is the only member of its genus, and it is most closely related to honeyeaters of the genus Melithreptus. Three subspecies are recognised. At around 29.5 cm (11.6 in) in length, the blue-faced species is large for a honeyeater. Its plumage is distinctive, with olive upperparts, white underparts, and a black head and throat with white nape and cheeks. Males and females are similar in external appearance. Adults have a blue area of bare skin on each side of the face readily distinguishing them from juveniles, which have yellow or green patches of bare skin.

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

ID tip

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Blue-faced Honeyeater lives

When to see the Blue-faced Honeyeater

Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

TuiProsthemadera novaeseelandiaeThe tūī is a large honeyeater, 27 to 32 cm (11–13 in) in length. Noisy FriarbirdPhilemon corniculatusMeasuring 31–36 cm (12–14 in) in length, the noisy friarbird is a large honeyeater with dull brownish grey upperparts and paler brown-grey underparts. Singing HoneyeaterGavicalis virescensSinging honeyeaters can vary in length from 17–22 cm (6.7–8.7 in).

Side by side: Blue-faced Honeyeater vs Tui · Blue-faced Honeyeater vs Noisy Friarbird · Blue-faced Honeyeater vs Singing Honeyeater