Western Wattlebird
A species of Wattlebirds Scientific name : Anthochaera lunulata Genus : Wattlebirds
Western Wattlebird, A species of Wattlebirds
Botanical name: Anthochaera lunulata
Genus: Wattlebirds
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Don Roberson
Description
The adult western wattlebird has dark grey-brown upper-parts with pale streaks and spots. It has a dark brown forehead, crown and nape, streaked with fine, whitish shafts. Underparts are dark grey, streaked and tipped white. It has a blackish-brown streak bordering the eye, and has a red iris. A large honeyeater, it is long and slender. A sample of the genders recorded sizes of 29–33 centimetres in length, 65–78 grams in weight for the males; and 27–30cm and 47–57g for the females. The weight range for unsexed birds is 45·5–83 grams.
Size
27 - 33 cm
Nest Placement
Tree
Feeding Habits
Western Wattlebird's diet is diverse, with a preference for nectar and insects such as bugs, hymenopterans, and ants, particularly during peak seasons. It forages in shrubs and treetops, utilizing unique methods to extract nectar from partially opened flowers, favoring those at maximum nectar production. Observed feeding behaviors include probing, gleaning, and sallying. Western Wattlebird forages individually or in groups, aggressively defending rich food sources against other birds.
Habitat
The typical habitat of western Wattlebird encompasses open eucalypt forests and woodlands, characterized by a rich understorey of native flora such as Dryandra, Banksia, and grass-trees. These birds are also found in shrublands dominated by Dryandra and Banksia species, as well as city parks that host a variety of native trees. Furthermore, western Wattlebird occupies roadside vegetation that remains unaltered and shelter-belts with exotic eucalypts within agricultural landscapes. They sometimes inhabit thickets along watercourses or valleys that are dense with paperbarks and young trees.
Dite type
Nectivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Distribution Area
Found in the southwest of Australia, in the high rainfall area formerly dominated by forest and woodland. They occur toward the coast from Israelite Bay north to Geraldton, and inland to the Stirling Range, Lake Grace and Northam.
Photo By Don Roberson
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Honeyeaters Genus
Wattlebirds Species
Western Wattlebird