Black-headed Honeyeater
Photo by Alan Fletcher
Description
The Black-headed Honeyeater, one of Tasmania's endemic species, is a small (up to 150mm) bird with an entirely black head and throat with a small blue-white crescent over the eye. The upperparts are olive green and the underparts are grey-white.
It can be distinguished from the
Strong-billed Honeyeater, with which it often occurs in mixed flocks, by the completely black head.
Habitat
Common in wet and dry sclerophyll forests, and occasionally found in subalpine and alpine forests to 1200m metres, open woodlands, coastal heaths and low
shrub communities. It is also sometimes seen in urban parks and gardens.
Diet
The species feeds on insects high within the canopy, often hanging upside down from branches. It also feeds on nectar, often congregating at flowering trees
in spring.
Breeding
The deep, cup-shaped nest is hidden amongst the foliage and is constructed from fibrous bark, grasses and moss. Both sexes build
the nest and incubate the eggs. Adults from the previous years brood may assist. Two to three spotted, pinkish eggs are laid.
Call
The call is a high-pitched "pssip".
Distribution
Found in suitable habitat throughout Tasmania.