Yellow-spotted Honeyeater

1. Oval yellow patch behind the eye

2. Brown eyes (not blue-grey like some similar species)

3. Olive-brown and olive-grey plumage with yellowish highlights

This species feeds on a varied diet of nectar, insects, and fruit, foraging energetically through different layers of vegetation. Yellow-spotted Honeyeaters are known for their boldness and can be quite aggressive, often dominating feeding areas and sometimes venturing into buildings to feed on fruit. They are non-migratory and usually seen alone or in small groups.

Breeding occurs from August to January. The nest is a deep, cup-shaped structure made from bark and plant fibres, usually placed in bushes or trees. Clutches typically contain two eggs, which are white with purple or brown markings near the top. Incubation lasts about two weeks, and fledglings leave the nest around two weeks after hatching.

Yellow-spotted Honeyeaters are found from Mackay to the northern tip of Cape York Peninsula in Queensland. They prefer lowland and upland tropical rainforests, but also visit monsoon forests, mangroves, and suburban gardens with dense native vegetation. While most common below 500 metres elevation, they have been recorded up to 1,200 metres. These honeyeaters are often seen foraging in the mid-canopy or shrub layer, and are known to adapt well to urban parks and gardens that feature local plants.