Singing Honeyeater
Gavicalis virescens
Medium-sized honeyeater with an olive-brown back and pale gray underparts. Size and plumage varies considerably across its range. This species tends to favor inland locations, and is found in a wide variety of habitats. Widespread across Australia, and is present in most areas apart from the eastern coast.
Identification
Singing honeyeaters can vary in length from 17–22 cm (6.7–8.7 in). Their overall appearance is grey-brown. The tail and wings are olive-green with flashes of yellow. There is a broad, black stripe running from the behind the beak to the back, and a yellow streak immediately below this from the eye. The bird's song ranges from scratchy to melodious. The song also varies according to where they live. The singing honeyeater has close relatives that have a similar general appearance, or some details in common, with overlapping ranges and similar voices, so a bird identification guide with clear visuals may be essential to attain the correct identity.
Taxonomy
The singing honeyeater was originally described as Meliphaga virescens lipferti. It was previously placed in the genus Lichenostomus, but was moved to Gavicalis after a molecular phylogenetic analysis, published in 2011, showed that the original genus was polyphyletic. The generic name is formed from an anagram of the sister genus Caligavis; the specific epithet is the Latin virescens meaning 'greenish'.
- Scientific name
- Gavicalis virescens
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1817)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Genus
- Gavicalis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Singing honeyeaters eat a variety of foods, including nectar, small insects, fruits, grubs, and berries. They are also opportunistic nest predators of smaller birds, including the zebra finch; any nest with eggs or chicks left unattended will be, potentially, an easy food source. This makes them omnivorous birds.<p>Singing honeyeaters breed between July and February. They are capable of forming longtime relationships with partners. When they are breeding, they show aggressive actions. Their nest is a cup of grass, plant stems, and spider webs. The eggs are a light cream-brown with some darker spots.<p>Singing honeyeaters live in families. They will attack larger animals, if they feel threatened by them, or if they enter their territory. They have been known to attack intruders in mobs, thus showing they are a community-minded bird that will work together for a common cause.<p>They associate with other species of birds, such as the brown honeyeater and the red wattlebird. They are different from many birds, however, because they lack the ability to communicate with isolated birds of the same species. As a study by M.C. Baker (1996) showed, the birds of the mainland did not respond to the songs of singing honeyeaters found on an island off Australia's west coast. The study showed that the songs of the birds on the island were shorter, had less song and syllable types, and had fewer syllables and notes per song.
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Pallas's Bunting
Emberiza pallasi
Very similar to Reed Bunting, but smaller and more slender; also note finer bill, colder pale buffy-brown (instead of rufous) wing coverts, and less extensive streaking on the underparts. Breeding male has a black hood and bright white “moustache” stripe. Female and non-breeding birds are pale sandy brown with a pale but noticeable white “moustache.” Breeds in thickets and vegetation clusters in tundra and winters in reedbeds and tall grassy or brushy areas near water, where often associated with mixed-species flocks. Song is a series of wet buzzy “tsli” notes. “Chlip” calls distinctly sparrow-like.
Choco Black-throated Trogon
Trogon cupreicauda
Yellow-bellied trogon with yellowish eyering and bill. Male has shimmering green-blue upperparts and chest; female is brown. Underside of tail barred black and white with large white tips. Upperside of tail usually coppery-green (browner on female). Found in forested areas, usually sitting still at low to middle heights (often lower than other trogons in range). Male from Gartered Trogon by head and chest color (greener, not cobalt blue), yellower bill, and voice. Brown color of female is distinctive, unlike slaty-gray of female Gartered. Listen for song, a slow, evenly-spaced series of 5-9 slurred whistled notes.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Breeding adult males are striking black and white with bright red triangle on breast. Nonbreeding males, females, and immatures are streaky below with a bold head pattern. Always look for the very thick, pale pinkish bill. Fairly common and widespread in eastern North America, especially in deciduous forests. Winters to northern South America. Visits feeders. Listen for sweet robinlike song and squeaky call. Females are sometimes confused with Purple Finch but note much larger overall size, large pinkish bill, and bolder white markings on wings. Also compare females and immature males with extremely similar Black-headed Grosbeak, which is usually identifiable by range. Rose-breasted usually has more extensive, coarser streaking on underparts and usually lacks orange tones.
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