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Striped Honeyeater
Plectorhyncha lanceolata
-27.6404, 152.391
Field Notes
Description:
My first encounter with this species - the Striped Honeyeater (adult and chick 3rd photo). It's a passerine bird of the honeyeater family Meliphagidae, and is native to Australia. It is a medium-sized honeyeater, about 23 centimetres (9.1 in) in length. Both sexes are a light greyish brown with dark brown centres to the feathers, which give the appearance of stripes. The stripes are particularly distinct on the head and back of the neck. Feeds mainly on insects and spiders, but will also eat nectar and other plant sugars, along with seeds, berries and fruit. It is mainly arboreal, feeding in pairs or small flocks in dense foliage, at the lower levels of the canopy. These birds often nest in the vicinity of a nesting butcherbird as well, and almost shadow the butcherbirds wherever they go - some long-term relationship there that benefits both species.
Habitat:
Usually found in forests and woodlands, often along rivers, as well as mangroves and in urban gardens. This spotting was in a backyard, the property itself being close to farms and woodlands in the Lockyer Valley. These birds were feeding periodically on the nectar of jacaranda blooms. The species is usually sedentary, but may be nomadic in drier areas.
Notes:
The third photo shows an adult with a fledgling chick. It was very vocal, and both parents were bringing it food. This species also has a beautiful variety of calls, performing duets and call-and-response songs.
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