The yellow wattlebird is a species of bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae.
Region
Tasmania and Bass Strait Islands
Typical Environment
Endemic to Tasmania, it occurs across much of the island, including some Bass Strait islands, wherever flowering eucalypts are abundant. Typical habitats include dry and wet sclerophyll forests, open eucalypt woodlands, coastal heath, and forest edges. It also frequents orchards, parks, and suburban gardens, especially during heavy blossom. The species is scarce in dense rainforest and largely absent from treeless alpine areas.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The yellow wattlebird is the largest honeyeater, named for its long lemon-yellow facial wattles that dangle from the sides of the head. It plays an important role as a pollinator of flowering eucalypts and can be conspicuously noisy and territorial around rich nectar sources. Although mainly tied to native forests, it readily visits gardens and orchards when trees are in bloom.
Temperament
territorial and assertive
Flight Pattern
strong flier with short rapid wingbeats and brief glides
Social Behavior
Often seen singly, in pairs, or small loose groups around flowering trees. During breeding, pairs defend nectar-rich territories; the female builds a cup nest in a fork while both adults feed the young. Outside breeding, they may congregate at mass-flowering eucalypts and can displace smaller honeyeaters.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, harsh, and guttural, often described as coughing or rasping calls. Males deliver repeated, grating notes from exposed perches, especially at dawn in the breeding season.
Plumage
Large, long-tailed honeyeater with brown upperparts and bold pale streaking, heavily streaked whitish underparts, and a yellow wash on the belly. The face is dark with contrasting pale streaks and very long, fleshy yellow wattles hanging from the cheeks. Tail is long with white tips and edges.
Diet
Primarily feeds on nectar from flowering eucalypts and other native shrubs, acting as an important pollinator. Supplements nectar with insects and spiders gleaned from foliage or hawked in the air. Also takes fruits, honeydew, and lerp when available, and may visit backyard nectar sources.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the mid to upper canopy of flowering eucalypt forests and woodlands. Regularly uses forest edges, coastal scrub, and gardens where blossom is abundant.
