BIRDS – NECTIVORES

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Nectivorous birds natural diet include: 

Native Plants: Nectar and pollen

Sap: Eucalypts and Wattles 

Other: Berries, Soft Fruits and some Insects 

Meliphagidae (Honey-eaters) are a group of nectivorous birds that have adapted digestive systems, to allow them to feed primarily on nectar, compared to nectivores, which have a mix of nectar and insects. 

The different types of feeding are: (please press on the link to go to the different feeding types). 

Scientific Name: Zosterops lateralis

Lifespan: up to 10 years

Weight: 10g

Length: 11-13cm

Clutch Size: 2-4

Appearance:

The small bird called Silvereye has a white feather ring around its eyes. They can be found with varied feathers colours depending on their range.

In the East of Australia, they are found to have a grey back and an olive-green head and wings. Whereas in the West, they have an olive green back. 

Silvereye of breeding age, have yellow throats and pale sides of the belly. 

Call:

The common call of the Silvereye is a ‘Creee’, whereas in flight the call is a ‘cli-cli’ which is repeated by multiple birds. 

Distribution:

Silvereye are prominent in wooded habitat, as well as orchards and gardens.  

Diet:

They feed on insects and fruits as well as nectar.  

Scientific Name: Anthochaera carunculata

Lifespan: up to 15

Weight: 100-120 g

Length: 33-37 cm

Clutch Size: 2-3

Appearance:

The Red Wattlebird is named so, due to the red fleshy wattle that can be found on the side of its neck. They have brown-grey feathers on their body, with white streaks. And yellow on their belly. The younger birds have feathers that are duller then the adults, and brown eyes, instead of the red of the adults. 

Call:

The Red Wattlebird call has been described as a ‘cough’, a harsh ‘yac a yac’ and a loud ‘chok’. 

Distribution:

They can be found in gardens, forests and woodlands. 

Diet:

Nectar from red or pink tubular native flowers (such as grevilleas), as well as heath plants. Also as berries and insects. 

Scientific Name: Phylidonyris novaehollandiae

Lifespan: up to 15 years

Weight: 20g

Length: 18cm

Clutch Size: 2-3

Appearance:

It has mainly black and white feathers, with a yellow patch on its wing and the side of its tail. It also has a patch of white on the ear. The juvenile bird has a grey eye, whereas adults have a white eye. 

Call:

The New Holland Honeyeater’s call is a loud ‘chik’, a fainter ‘pseet’ and some chattering notes. 

Distribution:

They are common in gardens, heaths, forests and woodlands. . 

Diet:

Mainly eat Nectar from native flowers such as grevilleas and banksias. 

  1. Many birds, including species of gulls, raptors and ducks, undergo a change in eye colour as they age from juvenile to adult. This is likely an adaptation that helps these birds recognise maturity and therefore suitability of a potential mate.
  2. Lorikeets are parrots, but they are not grain eaters, they are nectivores. 
  3. Can birds get Drunk? Yes, they can! Some fruit eating birds have become drunk from eating fermented berries. 
  4. Some in the Silvereye family can travel all the way to Queensland from Tasmania. 
  5. Red Wattlebirds can be very aggressive towards other birds eating in the vicinity.