Male has completely black upperparts and black hood that extends down the center of the breast to a rough point.
Not listed
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Black Honeyeater
At a glance
FamilyHoneyeaters
SizeSmall
RarityCommon
HabitatThe species is endemic to Australia, and ranges widely across the arid areas of the continent, through open woodland and shrubland, particularly in areas where the emu bush and related species occur.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from July to August.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Powys, V.
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
12588approx records
6states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Female gray-brown above, with mottled dark marks on pale brown underparts. Often attracted to areas of flowering Eremophila bushes.
Behavior
Call a long, high-pitched whistle, repeated slowly.
Gallery
Regional timing
Queensland
New South Wales
Western Australia
Northern Territory
South Australia
Victoria
Australian Capital Territory
Commonly confused with
Pied HoneyeaterCerthionyx variegatusFemale and juvenile plain brown, with subtly patterned wings and faint speckles on chest. Much larger than Black Honeyeater (which has completely black upperparts).→Gray-headed HoneyeaterPtilotula keartlandiMedium-sized honeyeater found in woodlands and rocky areas across northern inland Australia. Olive brown above, yellow with diffuse gray streaking below, with gray crown and dark gray cheek patch bordered in yellow, and entirely black bill during breeding season. Base of lower mandible (and adjacent gape) yellow in nonbreeding season.→Banded HoneyeaterCissomela pectoralisNonbreeding adult has brownish back. Immature has yellow cheeks and brown upperparts. Juvenile similar but even paler brown and has very indistinct breast band.→