|
|
White-fronted Honeyeater
(Purnella [Phylidonyris] albifrons)
Aboriginal name(s): "koolbekolbon" (WA)
Size: 16-18 cm
Weight: 15-23 g
|
|
 |
Similar species |
|
 |
Physical description |
|
Click here for a physical description
White-fronted Honeyeaters are small nectar-eating birds. Their
name relates to their rather inconspicuous white frons (forehead)
and eye-rings, with one small red spot behind each eye.
The rest of the front, i.e. throat and breast, is black, while
the belly is partly white with black streaks, further down white.
The crown and back are dark-grey with lighter streaks; the rump
is brownish.
The flight feathers and the outer tail feathers have bright-yellow
edges. This gives the folded wings a bright yellow spot when perched.
The irises are dark. The long, slightly
down-curved bill is black. The legs and feet are grey.
Juveniles
have more brownish colours.
|
 |
Taxonomy, classification |
|
See
White-fronted Honeyeater at Wikipedia .
|
 |
Range, habitat, finding this species |
|
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
.
The global distribution of the White-fronted Honeyeater is available
HERE
.
NB:
Reports on ebird of birds submitted by birdwatchers from
the Australian Outback tend to be clustered along roads
and public areas such as camp grounds; in such cases their
distribution is not a good representation of the overall
distribution of the species.
White-fronted Honeyeaters are endemic to the Australian continent.
They are found in the dry interior, with a range extending from
most of WA (except the south-western corner, the Gascoyne and the
Kimberley) into most of the southern half of the NT and most of
SA into far-western NSW. They only rarely extend their range into
the Lake Eyre Basin, the south-western corner of QLD and/or further
East into NSW. They are not found anywhere else.
White-fronted Honeyeaters have a preference for arid
shrubland,
scrubland and
woodland.
|
 |
Sightings |
|
Click here for sighting information
We have first seen a White-fronted Honeyeater at
Gundabooka NP,
50 km South of Bourke, NSW, in September 2012.
Under the guidance of NPWS ranger M. Murphy, two White-fronted
Honeyeaters were spotted at the Gilgais,
Pilliga NP,
in August 2013.
M. Mackay reports that White-fronted Honeyeaters are found
regularly in gardens in the township of Coober Pedy, SA.
R. Plumtreereports finding a White-fronted Honeyeater between Berri
and Renmark, SA, another near Pinnaroo, SA, in September
2018, and a third near Hopetoun, VIC, in October 2019.
M. Eaton reports spotting a White-fronted Honeyeater at
Sandy Camp Road Wetlands, Lytton, QLD, in February 2020.
This location is nearly 1000 km outside the species'
normal range.
M. Eaton also found a White-fronted Honeyeater at the Arid Lands
Botanical Garden, Port Augusta, SA, in June 2022.
|
 |
Photos |
|
 |
ADULT |
|
Frontal view of a White-fronted Honeyeater
[Sandy Camp Road Wetlands, Lytton, QLD, February 2020]
Near-frontal view of a White-fronted Honeyeater in a flowering
eucalypt
[Gundabooka NP,
NSW, September 2012]
Near-lateral view of a White-fronted Honeyeater
[Gundabooka NP,
NSW, September 2012]
Lateral view of a White-fronted Honeyeater
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Near Hopetoun, VIC, October 2017]
Lateral view of a White-fronted Honeyeater issuing its
call
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Near Hopetoun, VIC, October 2017]
Lateral view of a White-fronted Honeyeater
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Sandy Camp Road Wetlands, Brisbane, QLD, February 2020]
Lateral view of a White-fronted Honeyeater low in a
shrub
[Gundabooka NP,
NSW, September 2012]
Near-dorsal view of a White-fronted Honeyeater
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Near Hopetoun, VIC, October 2017]
White-fronted Honeyeater carrying what
appears to be lining material for its nest
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Near Hopetoun, VIC, October 2017]
 |
Food, Diet |
|
White-fronted Honeyeater in a flowering eucalypt tree (photo courtesy
of C. Hayne)
[Pilliga NP,
NSW, September 2013]
White-fronted Honeyeater seen taking nectar from a eucalypt tree (photo courtesy
of C. Hayne)
[Pilliga NP,
NSW, September 2013]
 |
Call(s)/Song |
|
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own; are welcome.
More White-fronted Honeyeater sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.
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.