Polynesian wattled honeyeater

The Polynesian wattled honeyeater or the eastern wattled honeyeater, is a species of bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. It was considered conspecific with the Fiji wattled honeyeater and the kikau.

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Distribution

Region

Central and Southwestern Polynesia

Typical Environment

Occurs across Samoa and American Samoa, Tonga, Niue, and Wallis and Futuna, inhabiting forests, secondary growth, coastal scrub, plantations, and village gardens. It readily uses disturbed habitats and edges where flowering trees are abundant. Birds forage from understory to canopy and often frequent coconut groves and urban plantings. On larger islands it occupies both lowland and montane rainforests. It is common near human settlements where nectar sources are predictable.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size18–22 cm

Wing Span25–30 cm

Male Weight0.04 kg

Female Weight0.038 kg

Life Expectancy7 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

A lively island honeyeater, it plays an important role as a pollinator of many native and cultivated trees across Polynesia. Formerly lumped with Fiji wattled honeyeater and the kikau, it is now treated as a separate species. The small fleshy wattle at the base of the bill becomes more obvious when the bird is agitated or calling.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Often seen in pairs or small family groups, becoming more loosely gregarious at rich nectar sources. Territorial behavior intensifies around flowering trees where birds chase intruders. Cup-shaped nests are placed in forks or suspended from foliage; breeding timing varies with local flowering peaks.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocal repertoire includes loud, harsh chatters and scolding rasping notes, interspersed with metallic chinks. Calls carry well through forest edges and gardens and often accompany aggressive foraging bouts.

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Identification

Leg Colordark grey

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Olive-brown upperparts with greyer face and lightly streaked, pale greyish throat and breast. Underparts may show faint streaking and paler belly; tail and wings edged slightly paler. Texture is sleek with a slight gloss on the head and mantle.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Takes nectar from a variety of native and cultivated flowers, including hibiscus, Erythrina, and coconut inflorescences. Supplements nectar with small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and bark or snatched in short sallies. Also consumes soft fruits and occasionally sap or honeydew. Its foraging helps pollinate flowering trees across island habitats.

Preferred Environment

Feeds from mid-story to canopy, especially at flowering trees along forest edges, in secondary growth, and in gardens. Frequently visits plantations and coastal groves where nectar is abundant.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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