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Key plants used by Australian birds:
Grevillea [...]

Aboriginal names: "tuggan tuggan" [Torres Strait Islands]

Grevilleas are a large genus (with about 360 species) of evergreen flowering plants, with spidery flowers. As an example, the Silky Oak, also commonly called by its scientific name, Grevillea robusta, is the largest member of a whole family of trees and shrubs that, when in flower, offer Australian birds a major source of nectar. To the best of our knowledge, Grevillea robusta is the most prolific producer of nectar, thereby attracting bird species that would normally not feed on nectar (such as, e.g., Australian Ravens. Smaller species of Grevillea usually attract only various species of honeyeaters.

Bird species found in this type of habitat or plant

This is not necessarily a complete list. We display here some examples of bird species found by us in this kind of habitat or plant. Hover your cursor on thumbnails to see names of species; click on thumbnail to go to the page describing the species.

Photos

Grevillea robusta tree in flower

Grevillea robusta tree in flower

Closer look at Grevillea robusta flowers; they can cause real feeding frenzies, e.g. amongst Noisy Friarbirds

Individual Grevillea robusta flowers

Northern Australia is home to various species of grevillea; this flower was found by us at Umbrawarra Gorge NP, NT

Northern Australia is home to various species of grevillea; this shrub was found by us on the edge of a monsoonal wetland at Umbrawarra Gorge NP, NT

Grevillea floribunda is popular e.g. with Yellow-faced Honeyeaters NT
[Dandry Gorge AA, NSW, May 2022]

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater feeding in a grevillea shrub
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2007]

Singing Honeyeater feeding from a grevillea flower
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2007]

Male Red-winged Parrot munching on a grevillea seed
[Pine Creek, NT, August 2014]

Usage

This is not necessarily a complete list. We collate here various ways in which birds can use various types of plant.

Perch Roost Shade Food Nectar Fruit Seed Prey Nest
space
Nest
mat.
Shelter Vantage
point

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.

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