Bruny Island Birdlife - Black-headed Honeyeater
Bruny Island is home to abundant birdlife, including all 12 species endemic to Tasmania. Some are critically endangered, such as the Forty-spotted Pardalote, the Swift Parrot, and the Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle. All 12 endemic species are protected under Tasmania's Nature Conservation Act 2002.
Bruny Island is a popular place for bird watching, and has been named in the top 10 bird watching sites in Australia by Australian Birdlife magazine.
Watch out for the next Bruny Island Bird Festival, (date TBA).
Photos from award winning photographer Rod Hartvigsen
Black-headed Honeyeater
The Black-headed Honeyeater (Melithreptus affinis) is a small bird endemic to Tasmania that grows up to 15cm long.
Habitat
The Black-headed Honeyeater is widespread in Tasmania and can be found in forests, coastal heaths and sometimes in urban areas.
Behaviour
The Black-headed Honeyeater stays high up in trees and is rarely seen on the ground. It feeds on insects and nectar and sometimes can be seen hanging upside down while foraging. It is a sociable bird, often seen foraging with other species of birds, and nests with other honeyeaters in loose colonies.
Conservation
The Black-headed Honeyeater is not endangered.