Key plants used by Australian birds: Birds as pollinators

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Birds using plants		Plants using birds
It is easy to see that birds use a variety of plants. There are various ways in which they do this. We have prepared a short summary of how birds use plants.		Conversely, many native Australian plants use birds. For example, they can use birds (in addition to, or rather than, insects), in particular nectar-eating species, as pollinators, as described below, or - primarily fruit eaters - as seed distributors.

In nature, plants using birds is serious business, because the survival of some species may depend on pollenation by birds. For humans, this can lead to the detection of some funny-looking birds. A few examples are shown here.

Grevilleas

All plants known to us of the genus Grevillea offer nectar in exchange for the favour of being pollenated. The most prolific producer of nectar is the Grevillea robusta, a tree that attracts even birds that are not traditional nectarivores (such as e.g. Pied Currawongs or Australian Ravens).

Little Friarbird with pollen on its bill and frons

Immature Blue-faced Honeyeater with some pollen on its frons (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)

Immature Blue-faced Honeyeater all messed up with pollen (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)

Another example of a Blue-faced Honeyeater with pollen on its head (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)

Adult Blue-faced Honeyeater, top, and immature with pollen on its head feasting in a grevillea
(photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)

Frontal view of a Spotted Bowerbird with its forehead covered in pollen after taking nectar from a Grevillea robusta

Callistemons

Plants in the genus Callistemon (bottlebrushes), which often stand in, or along, creek beds, are a major source of nectar, even in dry times or in the Australian winter. They can flower when many other plants don't.

Close-up frontal view of a Noisy Friarbird with pollen all over its bill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2022]

Close-up near-lateral portrait of a male Musk Lorikeet with pollen all over its forehead (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Narrabri, NSW, October 2020]

White-eared Honeyeater with pollen all around the base of its bill

Close-up lateral view of a Little Friarbird taking nectar from a bottlebrush, with pollen stuck to the front of its head
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2022]

Emubushes

Plants in the genus Eremophila (Emubushes), many of which are inland specialists, are a major source of nectar in semi-arid environments.

Close-up lateral view of a Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater visiting Eremophila maculata flower
[Eulah Creek, NSW, July 2026]

Close-up lateral view of a Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater visiting Eremophila maculata flower
[Eulah Creek, NSW, July 2026]

Other/unknown plants

Red-collared Lorikeet taking nectar and in the process pollenating the flowers (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Leanyer Swamp, Darwin, NT, October 2019]

Adult Blue-faced Honeyeater with some pollen on its frons (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)

Little Wattlebird with pollen on its bill (photo courtesy of I. Duncan)

Frontal view of an Helmeted Friarbird with pollen stuck to its bill (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)

Garden Sunbird with some pollen on the tip of its bill (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)

Eastern Spinebill with pollen on its bill and frons (photo courtesy of I. Duncan)

Eastern Spinebill with pollen on its bill and frons (photo courtesy of I. Duncan)

Frontal view of a Bar-breasted Honeyeater with pollen stuck to its frons (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)

Near-frontal view of a male Crescent Honeyeater taking nectar from a flower and in the process getting pollen all over its face (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)

Introduced species: Calliandra haematocephala

Dusky Honeyeater with pollen all over its bill, head and breast (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)

Macleay's Honeyeater with pollen all over its bill and forehead (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)

Macleay's Honeyeater with pollen all over its bill and forehead (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)

Unknown plant species

Striped Honeyeater with pollen stuck to its chin (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eulo Bore, Eulo, QLD, June 2022]

Two White-winged Trillers with their caps covered in pollen; this species is not known to be nectarivore, so they may have been hunting for insects in flowers when picking up the pollen (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Oolloo Road, Daly River region, NT, August 2021]

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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