honeyeater

Honeyeaters are a large and diverse group of small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Meliphagidae. They are found across Australia, New Guinea, much of New Zealand, and many Pacific islands, with some species extending into parts of Southeast Asia. The family comprises roughly 180 described species across numerous genera, occupying a variety of habitats.

Most honeyeaters have slender, slightly decurved bills and brush-tipped tongues specialized for nectar feeding, though some species rely more on insects or fruit. Plumage ranges from muted earth tones to bright colors, reflecting adaptation to different habitats and signaling. They are generally active foragers, often in trees and shrubs, and many are well adapted to human-modified environments such as gardens and orchards.

Ecologically, nectar is the primary resource, but honeyeaters also take insects, spiders, and fruit, contributing to pollination and seed dispersal. Their feeding behavior often involves visiting many flowers in a day and, in some cases, following a habitual route to maximize nectar intake (trap-lining). Territoriality around nectar sources is common in many species.

Breeding habits vary, but most species nest in shrubs or trees, building cup-shaped nests. Clutch size is typically small, and both parents may participate in incubation and feeding of the young. The breeding season is generally spring and summer, depending on geography and resource availability.

Conservation status ranges from common to threatened; habitat loss, changes in flowering plant communities, and introduced predators affect certain island endemics. Honeyeaters are valued as pollinators and are often observed in natural and cultivated landscapes.