Lewin's Honeyeater, banded bird.
Photo: R Major © Australian Museum
Lewin's Honeyeater, head.
Photo: R Major © Australian Museum
Lewin's Honeyeater. Image from: John Gould (1804-81) The birds of Australia 1840-48. 7 vols. 600 plates Artists: J. Gould and E. Gould; Lithographer: E. Gould.
Photo: Research Library © Australian Museum
Distribution map of Meliphaga lewinii
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Lewin's Honeyeater
Scientific name: Meliphaga lewinii
Family: Meliphagidae
Order: Passeriformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Honeyeaters
What does it look like?
Description
The Lewin's Honeyeater is small to medium in size. It is dark greenish grey in colour, with a creamy yellow gape (fleshy corners of the mouth). It has large, yellowish crescent-shaped ear patches. In flight, the pale yellow edges of the flight feathers can be seen. The bill is black and the eye is blue-grey. Both sexes are similar in appearance. Young Lewin's Honeyeaters are similar to the adults, but have brown eyes.
Similar species
The overall size and distinctive voice of Lewin's Honeyeater, as well as the shape and size of its ear patch, will identify it from most other honeyeaters. There are two similarly ear-patched but smaller species whose ranges overlap with the Lewin's Honeyeater only in north-eastern Queensland: Yellow-spotted Honeyeater, M. notata, and the Graceful Honeyeater, M. gracilis.
Where does it live?
Distribution
Lewin's Honeyeater prefers the wetter parts of eastern Australia, from northern Queensland to central Victoria.
Habitat
Lewin's Honeyeater is found in both rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest, and often wanders into more open woodland. It is a common bird, and its call is often heard in these areas.
Seasonal movements
Sedentary; some altitudinal migration to lower areas in winter.
What does it do?
Feeding
Lewin's Honeyeaters feed mostly on fruits, favouring berries and small fruits, but also eat insects and nectar. Birds are normally seen alone, but may form loose groups of up to 10 birds. They feed in the upper branches and on the trunks of trees. Some insects are caught in flight.
Breeding
The nest is a large cup of vegetation and other materials, bound together with spider web and lined with soft material. The eggs are oval in shape. It is unclear what roles each parent performs in nest building and incubation, but both care for the young birds.
References
Longmore, N.W. 1991. The Honeyeaters and their Allies of Australia. Angus and Robertson and The National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. 1997. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
Schodde, R. and Mason, I. 1999. The Directory of Australian Birds: Passerines. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria.
Schodde, R. and Tideman, S.C. (eds) 1990. Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds (2nd Edition). Reader's Digest (Australia) Pty Ltd, Sydney.