Yellow Wattlebird

1. Long yellow-orange wattles hanging from behind the cheeks

2. White face with black-streaked crown and large yellow belly patch

3. Very large size and loud, guttural, coughing-like calls

Yellow Wattlebirds feed mainly on nectar from Eucalyptus and Banksia flowers, but also consume insects, spiders, fruit, honeydew, and manna. They forage at all levels, from the ground to the canopy, and are active, acrobatic, and sometimes tame around humans. Breeding occurs from August to January, with nests built high in trees or shrubs. Females construct a large, open, saucer-shaped nest from twigs and bark, lined with wool and grass. They typically lay 2–3 salmon-red eggs with red-brown, purplish-red, and blue-grey spots. Both parents share incubation and feeding duties. Their breeding distribution can shift year to year depending on the flowering of eucalyptus trees, which affects food availability.

Yellow Wattlebirds are found throughout eastern and central Tasmania, from sea level to subalpine zones, and are especially common in eucalypt forests, woodlands, and coastal heaths. They also occur in urban parks, gardens, golf courses, and orchards, and are often seen in areas with mature Banksia and Eucalyptus trees. Sightings outside Tasmania are extremely rare and unconfirmed.