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Brown-backed HoneyeaterAlternate name(s): "Unadorned Honeyeater", "Modest Honeyeater" Size: 11-13 cm Weight: 11-14 g |
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Similar |
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Photos |
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ADULT |
Sex unknown |
Near-frontal view of a Brown-backed Honeater
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, QLD, November 2018]
Near-frontal view of a Brown-backed Honeater
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, QLD, November 2018]
Near-frontal view of a Brown-backed Honeater approaching a water bowl
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Kingfisher Park, Julatten, QLD, in November 2018]
Near-frontal view of a Brown-backed Honeater approaching a water bowl
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Kingfisher Park, Julatten, QLD, in November 2018]
Lateral view of a Brown-backed Honeater drinking from a water bowl
(photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, December 2009]
Dorsal view of a Brown-backed Honeater
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, August 2023]
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Breeding information |
Breeding season: Aug - Mar | Eggs: 2 - 3 | Incubation period: 15 days | Fledging age: 14 - 15 days |
Nest building: ? | Incubation: Female | Dependent care: Female & male |
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Nest |
"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal] |
Type: Hanging domed basket | Material: Paperbark strips, flakes, grass, webs | Height above ground: 2 - 4 m |
Brown-backed Honeyeater nests are usually built hanging from thin outer branches, overhanging water. In ideal conditions Brown-backed Honeyeaters can nest semi-colonially.
Brown-backed Honeater at its nest
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, August 2023]
Brown-backed Honeater bringing a paperbark strip for its nest
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Daintree, QLD, October 2022]
Brown-backed Honeater nest still under construction, with its
owner nearby (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Daintree River, QLD, December 2018]
Brown-backed Honeater working on its nest, which is still lacking
its outer layer and dome (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Daintree River, QLD, December 2018]
Brown-backed Honeater collecting material for its nest
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, September 2020]
Brown-backed Honeater collecting material for its nest
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, September 2020]
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Eggs |
"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay] |
Size: 20 x 14 mm | Colour: Creamy, with sparse light-brown speckles | Shape: Tapered oval |
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Food, Diet |
Near-frontal view of a Brown-backed Honeater taking nectar
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Thala Beach Nature Reserve, near Oak Beach, QLD, October 2020]
Near-frontal view of a Brown-backed Honeater at a food source
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Thala Beach Nature Reserve, near Oak Beach, QLD, October 2020]
Lateral view of a Brown-backed Honeater taking nectar from a
Callistemon (bottlebrush)
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, August 2023]
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Call(s)/Song |
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own;
comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
brbkhon_me_20230814.mp3 | (N QLD) | Dawn chorus (+ Bar-shouldered Dove) | © ME |
More Brown-backed Honeyeater sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.