- Nesoptilotis leucotis
Identification
It has a noticeable white splash behind the eyes, the 'ears', on a mainly black head, throat and beak. The top of the head is a dark grey colour. The body is a green colour, shading to a softer yellow underbelly.
Distribution
The White-eared Honeyeater (Lichenostomus leucotis) is an Australian bird found in south east Australia, south west Australia an into south west of Queensland.
Taxonomy
Two subspecies recognized:
- M. l. leucotis in southeast Australia (including Kangaroo Island (South Australia)
- M. l. novaenorciae in central Queensland, southeast South Australia and southwest Western Australia
The formerly accepted subspecies thomasi is now merged with leucotis.
Formerly placed in the genus Lichenostomus.
Habitat
Dry eucalypt forests and woodlands, with a well-developed understorey, heath, shrubland and scrub habitats, and at a variety of altitudes.
Behaviour
The diet includes insects, nectar, fruit, manna, lerp, and honeydew.
The nests are built close to the ground in shrubs or low trees; the nest is a deep, thick-walled, open cup, lined with the fur or hair of mammals, including humans. The eggs are incubated by the female, while both parents feed the young. Nests are parasitized by the Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo, the Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo and Shining Bronze-Cuckoo.
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
