- Lichenostomus melanops
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.
Distribution
Eastern and south-eastern mainland Australia.
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.
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.
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.
