Bruny Island Birdlife - Strong-billed Honeyeater

The Strong-billed Honeyeater (Melithreptus validirostris) is endemic to Tasmania. It is of similar size to the black-headed honey eater. It can be distinguished from the black-headed honeyeater by the white throat and chest, and dark beak.

Habitat

The Strong-billed Honeyeater prefers wet forests, wet scrub and heath. It is sometimes seen in urban parks and gardens.

Behaviour

The Strong-billed Honeyeater lives primarily on a diet of insects, although it will occasionally eat nectar and fruit. It feeds a tree level and ground level. Strong-billed Honeyeaters set up breeding colonies during the breeding season, which they return to every year. The breeding colony is a community effort with all adults helping the the nest building, feed and defence.

Conservation

The Strong-billed Honeyeater is not endangered.