Painted Honeyeater
Grantiella picta
Habitat Savanna, mistletoe and eucalypt forests
IUCN Status Vulnerable
For birdwatchers it is uncommon to catch a glimpse of a Painted Honeyeater. This elusive bird tends not to travel in flocks and their numbers are in decline due to habitat loss and conversion. However, due to their migratory behaviour and the fragmented nature of their populations, this bird has been spotted in a wide range of locations from southern Victoria to far north Queensland.
Painted Honeyeaters build their nests in different types of eucalyptus, pine, and acacia tree. The presence of parasitic grey mistletoe can indicate the likelihood of these birds appearing in an area: despite their name, the bulk of this honeyeater’s diet is made up of mistletoe berries.
Photograph by David Cook