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Varied Honeyeater
(Gavicalis versicolor)
Size: 18-21 cm
Weight: 32-36 g
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Similar species |
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Physical description |
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Click here for a physical description
Varied Honeyeaters are medium-sized nectar-eating birds.
Their most prominent feature are conspicuous black eye stripes
above a yellow throat and a white patch unter the ear coverts.
The front is yellow from throat to belly, with some brown streaking
on breast and belly. The vent and undertail coverts are pale-yellow.
The back is brownish-grey; only the flight feathers have yellowish-olive
leading edges. The tail is grey. The irises are dark-brown. The slightly
down-curved bill is dark-grey, while the legs and feet are grey.
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Twitcher's tip |
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Compared with both
Mangrove Honeyeaters and
Singing Honeyeaters,
Varied Honeyeaters show much more yellow down their front.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Varied
Honeyeater at Wikipedia .
Click here for classification information
The classification of
Australian honeyeater species,
mainly in the genus "Lichenostomus", has undergone a major revision,
with many species now moved into several newly defined genera
(Gavicalis, Stomiopera, Ptilotula, Nesoptilotis).
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
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The global distribution of the Varied Honeyeater is available
HERE
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The range of Varied Honeyeaters extends from West Papua (Indonesia)
via New Guinea to north-eastern Australia.
In Australia,
the range of Varied Honeyeaters is limited to a narrow coastal
fringe along the Australian North-East coast, from about
Townsville, QLD, to the tip of Cape York. At the southern end
of their distribution Varied Honeyeaters can hybridize with
Mangrove Honeyeaters.
Varied Honeyeaters have a preference for mangroves.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
B. Hensen reports spotting Varied Honeyeaters in Cairns, QLD, in
June 2013 and again in December 2018.
M. Eaton found Varied Honeyeaters in Cairns, QLD, in July 2018.
J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours reports having found Varied
Honeyeaters at the Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, on several occasions.
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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Close-up near-frontal view of a Varied Honeyeater taking
what looks like spider eggs
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, September 2020]
Near-frontal view of a Varied Honeyeater looking sideways
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Cairns, QLD, July 2013]
Close-up near-lateral view of a Varied Honeyeater foraging
in tree bark
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, September 2020]
Near-lateral view of a Varied Honeyeater
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Cairns, QLD, July 2013]
Near-lateral view of a Varied Honeyeater
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Cairns, QLD, December 2018]
Dorsal view of a Varied Honeyeater
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cairns, QLD, July 2013]
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Food, Diet |
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Varied Honeyeater taking nectar
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Cairns, QLD, December 2018]
Close-up near-lateral view of a Varied Honeyeater taking
what looks like spider eggs
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, September 2020]
Lateral view of a Varied Honeyeater approaching a waterhole
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, August 2020]
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors.
The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.