You are here

Home ›

Red Wattlebird

Did you know?

The Red Wattlebird is the second largest honeyeater in Australia (the Tasmanian Yellow Wattlebird is the largest). They can display domineering and often aggressive behaviour towards other birds intruding on their territory.

Calls
Several distinctive but unmusical calls including coughs, a harsh 'yac a yac' and a loud 'chok'.
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
Yes
Minimum Size: 
34cm
Maximum Size: 
36cm
Average size: 
35cm
Average weight: 
111g
Breeding season: 
July to December
Clutch Size: 
2 to 3
Nestling Period: 
15 days
Conservation Status
Federal: 
Secure
NSW: 
Secure
NT: 
Not present
QLD: 
Secure
SA: 
Secure
TAS: 
Not present
VIC: 
Secure
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Anthochaera carunculata
Featured bird groups: 
Honeyeaters
Survey species
Top 40 Bird Songs
Atlas Number: 
638
What does it look like?
Description: 

The Red Wattlebird is a large, noisy honeyeater. The common name refers to the fleshy reddish wattle on the side of the neck. The plumage is grey-brown on the body, with prominent white streaks and yellow on the belly. The face is pale and the tail is long with a white-tip. Young Red Wattlebirds are duller than the adult and have a brown, rather than reddish, eye. The wattle is also very small and pale.

Similar species: 

The Red Wattlebird is among the largest of the Australian honeyeaters. In Tasmania it is replaced by the larger Yellow Wattlebird, Anthochaera paradoxa. This species is identified by its long, yellow wattle.

Where does it live?
Distribution: 

The Red Wattlebird's range extends throughout the southern areas of the Australian mainland.

Habitat: 

The Red Wattlebird occurs in forests, woodlands and gardens, where it aggressively protects food-bearing plants from other honeyeater species.

Seasonal movements: 

What does it do?
Feeding: 

The Red Wattlebird feeds on nectar, which it obtains by probing flowers with its thin curved bill. Some insects are also eaten, taken either from foliage or caught in mid-air. Berries and the honeydew produced by some insects add to the bird's diet.

Breeding: 

Red Wattlebirds raise one or two broods in a season. Both sexes have been recorded sharing incubation duties, but often the female will do this alone. Both parents feed the young.

References: 
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 5 {(Tyrant-flycatchers} to Chats).
The Honeyeaters and their Allies of Australia
  • Share/Save
 and   @birdsinbackyards
                 Subscribe to me on YouTube