The yellow-faced honeyeater is a small to medium-sized bird in the honeyeater family, Meliphagidae. It takes its common and scientific names from the distinctive yellow stripes on the sides of its head. Its loud, clear call often begins twenty or thirty minutes before dawn. It is widespread across eastern and southeastern Australia, in open sclerophyll forests from coastal dunes to high-altitude subalpine areas, and woodlands along creeks and rivers. Comparatively short-billed for a honeyeater, it is thought to have adapted to a diet of flies, spiders, and beetles, as well as nectar and pollen from the flowers of plants, such as Banksia and Grevillea, and soft fruits. It catches insects in flight as well as gleaning them from the foliage of trees and shrubs.
Region
Eastern and Southeastern Australia
Typical Environment
Occurs from coastal dunes to subalpine eucalypt forests and open sclerophyll woodlands, extending along creeks, riparian corridors, and into parks and gardens. It uses the flowering cycles of eucalypts and proteaceous shrubs, shifting locally and seasonally to track nectar. During migration it funnels along the coastal plain and the slopes of the Great Dividing Range. It also occupies edge habitats, regenerating forest, and farmland shelterbelts with native trees.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This honeyeater is famous for its mass seasonal movements along Australia’s east coast, when thousands stream past in autumn. Its clear, ringing calls often start well before dawn. By following flowering eucalypts, banksias, and grevilleas, it acts as an important pollinator while also controlling insects.
A distinctive yellow stripe runs below the eye.
The yellow-faced honeyeater can be seen feeding on garden shrubs.
Piercing the base of a mountain devil (Lambertia formosa) flower to feed on nectar
Three chicks are raised in a flimsy nest in a garden shrub.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, direct flight
Social Behavior
Breeds in pairs or small groups, constructing a small cup nest suspended in shrubs or low trees. Both parents feed the nestlings and defend a modest territory during the breeding season. Outside breeding, it forms flocks and joins mixed-species groups, especially during migration and at rich nectar sources.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A clear, ringing series of notes that often begins well before dawn. Calls are sharp, piping, and repeated, carrying far through forest and woodland. Contact calls are brisk and conversational when in moving flocks.
