From Opus

Photo by Tannin

Lichenostomus melanops

Includes: Helmeted Honeyeater

[edit] Identification

Olive-brown above, yellow grey below, black face mask, bright yellow ear tufts and sides of the throat, down-curved bill. Sexes similar. Young are duller and paler, with yellow areas washed green.

[edit] Distribution

Eastern and south-eastern mainland Australia.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are three subspecies, two of which are fairly similar L. m. melanops and L. m. meltoni; L. m. cassidix is much larger, with brighter plumage, known as the Helmeted Honeyeater and sometimes accepted as full species.

[edit] Habitat

Open dry forests and woodlands dominated by eucalypts, and often near water; sometimes visit gardens.

L. m. cassidix is found in narrow patches of tall forest along streams or in swamps.

[edit] Behaviour

The diet includes nectar from eucalypt flowers and insects from leaves and bark.

They breeding in colonies. Pairs are monogamous and parents are occasionally assisted with feeding and nest cleaning by 'helpers'. They build a tightly woven, cup-shaped nest. The females do most of the incubation, but both parents, plus any helpers, feed the young. Two or three broods may be raised in a season.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on the ABID