The cryptic honeyeater, also known as the imitatress honeyeater, is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is found in northeastern Queensland in Australia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical mangrove forest.
Region
Northeastern Australia (Wet Tropics of Queensland)
Typical Environment
Occurs in the coastal lowland rainforests and mangrove systems from around Ingham to Cooktown in northeastern Queensland. It frequents subtropical and tropical moist lowland forest, riverine edges, vine thickets, and coastal mangroves. The species also uses secondary growth, forest margins, and occasionally gardens near intact forest. It typically forages within the mid-story to canopy, especially where trees are flowering.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The cryptic honeyeater was long hidden within the similar Graceful Honeyeater and was only recently recognized as a distinct species, largely by its voice and subtle structural differences. It keeps to dense foliage and mangroves, where its thin, high calls can carry farther than the bird is visible. It forages quietly on nectar and small invertebrates, often defending flowering trees.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between patches of cover
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks when trees are flowering. Pairs defend rich nectar sources and nest sites. The nest is a small cup suspended or placed in dense foliage; both adults participate in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice is a series of thin, high-pitched tseet notes, trills, and brief rattles, often delivered from concealed perches. Calls are sharper and subtly different from the similar Graceful Honeyeater, aiding identification.
Plumage
Mostly olive-green to olive-brown with paler grayish-olive underparts and a slightly yellower wash on the wing edges. Feathers are smooth and close-lying, giving a neat, compact appearance. The face shows a dusky mask with a small pale gape/ear-spot and a faint pale line at the base of the bill.
Diet
Takes nectar from flowering trees and shrubs such as eucalypts, paperbarks, and other rainforest blossoms. Supplements nectar with small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and bark, and occasionally hawks tiny flying insects. May also take a little soft fruit or honeydew when available.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the mid-story and canopy of rainforest edges, gallery forest, and mangroves, especially where flowers are abundant. Will visit flowering trees in secondary growth and occasionally gardens adjacent to forest.
