Bird Guide

Red Wattlebird vs Regent Honeyeater

Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata)

Red Wattlebird

Anthochaera carunculata

Medium106 gForest

The sexes of the red wattlebird are similar in size and plumage, the length of the adult male ranging from 33 to 37 centimetres (13 to 15 in) and the adult female from 34 to 37 centimetres (13 to 15 in). With an average weight of 100–120 grams (3.5–4.2 oz), the red wattlebird is one of the largest nectar-feeding birds in the world, and the second largest species of honeyeater native to Australia, eclipsed only by the yellow wattlebird. Voice: Red wattlebirds are noisy animals, producing a range of raucous calls. Pairs of birds appear to duet, particularly at food sources, with the male producing a loud cackle and the female a whistling call. The male's cackle is loudest between 1 and 3 kHz frequency. A guttural-sounding call, it has been variously described as having a squawking, coughing or hiccuping sound.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Red Wattlebird
Recorded by James Ray · Faulconbridge, Blue Mountains City Council, New South Wales, Australia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Elspeth Swan · CC BY 4.0
Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia)

Regent Honeyeater

Anthochaera phrygia

Small40 gForest

The neck and head are glossy black. The breast is covered with contrasting pale yellow speckles, and the feathers in the tail and wings are black and bright yellow.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Red Wattlebird and Regent Honeyeater.