Nesoptilotis leucotis
The White-eared Honeyeater (Nesoptilotis leucotis) is a vibrant and active medium-sized passerine bird, endemic to southeastern Australia and Tasmania, with an isolated population in southwestern Western Australia. Measuring approximately 16-22 cm in length and weighing between 20-30 grams, this species is immediately recognizable by its striking white ear-patch, which contrasts sharply with a black facial mask extending from the bill to behind the eye. Its upperparts are a dull olive-green, ...
This honeyeater primarily inhabits temperate and subtropical eucalypt forests and woodlands, favoring areas with a dense understory. It can be found from sea level up to elevations of around 1,500 meters, adapting to various dry sclerophyll and mallee environments.
The primary diet consists of nectar from eucalypt and other native flowering plants, supplemented significantly by insects gleaned from foliage or caught in flight, and also includes lerp and honeydew.
White-eared Honeyeaters are typically active during daylight hours, often seen solitarily or in pairs, tirelessly flitting through foliage. They are agile foragers, employing a combination of gleaning insects from bark and leaves, probing flowers for nectar, and occasionally hawking insects mid-a...
The White-eared Honeyeater has a broad and disjunct distribution across temperate and subtropical Australia. The main population (*Nesoptilotis leucotis leucotis*) extends from southeastern Queensland, through New South Wales, Victoria, and southeastern South Australia. A distinct subspecies, *Ne...
Least Concern
- The White-eared Honeyeater's distinctive white ear-patch is present from a very young age, making juvenile identification relatively straightforward. - They are known to be quite aggressive towards other birds, even larger species, when defending their feeding territories, particularly during f...