Bar-breasted Honeyeater
Ramsayornis fasciatus
EndemicStatus
Fairly CommonRarity
Bird Gallery
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Species Description
The Bar-breasted Honeyeater is a compact bird found only in northern Australia. It is known for its bold black-and-white barring on the breast and a scalloped black cap, making it easy to spot among paperbark trees and wetlands throughout the tropical north. This species is an important part of wetland ecosystems, thriving in areas with abundant flowering trees and water.
Fun Facts
Their dome-shaped nests often hang over water and may be decorated with strips of paperbark.
1. Bold black bars across a white breast in adults.
2. Black cap with white scalloped pattern.
3. White throat and cheeks contrasting with the barred breast.
These birds feed on nectar and insects, foraging quietly among foliage. Their nests are dome-shaped with a side entrance, usually hanging from paperbark branches over water. Breeding mainly occurs in the wet season, when food is plentiful. Bar-breasted Honeyeaters are often seen alone or in pairs, and sometimes in small groups.
Bar-breasted Honeyeaters are found in wetlands, billabongs, and along riverbanks from the Kimberley through the Top End to Cape York and down the Queensland coast as far as Rockhampton. They prefer paperbark forests near water and are most active during the wet season when they breed. Despite their distinctive pattern, they can be hard to spot, so look for movement in flowering paperbarks and listen for their soft, high-pitched calls.
Physical Attributes
Height
14 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds16%
Habitat
No habitat information available
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