Cissomela pectoralis
The Banded Honeyeater (Cissomela pectoralis) is a small, striking passerine belonging to the Meliphagidae family, characterized by its distinctive plumage and agile nature. Measuring approximately 10-14 cm in length and weighing 8-12 grams, this active bird sports a broad, conspicuous black band across its pure white breast, sharply contrasting with a white throat and belly. Its head is marked by bright yellow patches on the sides, extending to the ear-coverts, against a dusky crown and olive...
Found primarily in open eucalypt woodlands, paperbark (Melaleuca) swamps, mangrove edges, and savanna habitats, typically at low elevations.
Feeds primarily on nectar from a variety of flowering trees and shrubs, supplemented by insects gleaned from foliage or caught in flight, and occasionally small fruits.
Active and restless, the Banded Honeyeater is a diurnal bird, constantly moving through the canopy and understory in search of sustenance. It forages acrobatically, often hovering at flowers to sip nectar or gleaning insects from foliage and bark, sometimes performing aerial sallies to catch flyi...
The Banded Honeyeater is a resident species endemic to northern Australia, with its distribution spanning across the tropical regions of Queensland, the Northern Territory, and the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Its range is generally confined to coastal and sub-coastal areas, often exten...
Least Concern
- The Banded Honeyeater's striking black breast band is a unique identifying feature, setting it apart from almost all other Australian honeyeaters. - Its slender, decurved black bill is a specialized tool, perfectly adapted for probing deep into tubular flowers to extract nectar. - Despite its s...