Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera

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Family

Meliphagidae

Genus

Phylidonyris

Species

pyrrhoptera

Common Names

Crescent Honeyeater, Chinawing, Egypt, Horseshoe Honeyeater

Distinguishing Features

The Crescent Honeyeater is 15-16 cm in size with a typical honeyeater downward curved beak and a long, slender body. The male's head and back is a dark grey colour, with bright yellow patches through the wings and tail. The underparts are light grey and streaked, and a thick dark band (crescent) reaches across each side of the breast, with a white line underneath. Eyes are dark red with a white brow. The female is similarly patterned and is pale brown-grey with smaller and duller yellow patches. Young birds are dull and lack the crescent band across the breast.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

A loud 'tee-chiep', a high, musical 'tcheip-tcheip', or a rapid 'chip-chip-chip' alarm.

Similar Species

Both the New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novauhollandiae) and the Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops ) are of similar size, shape and colouring. However, the New Holland species is blacker with a white eye and the Yellow-faced species is so named for its distinct yellow face and blue-grey eye.

Distribution

This species is only found in the very southern regions of eastern Australia, from Sydney, south across to Adelaide and throughout TAS and surrounding islands. Locally, Crescent Honeyeaters inhabit the ranges to the west of Canberra and have colonised the ANBG.

Country of Origin

Australia

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

Population numbers have fluctuated greatly over the past 25 years, however recently they appear to be in decline (COG).

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999.

LSCCES Population

Some birds were sighted at the ANBG and at CSIRO.

Associated vegetation community

The Crescent Honeyeater can be found in wet eucalypt forests and alpine woodlands, preferring areas with thick undergrowth. They are also found in some suburban areas with thick native flowering species.

Limiting Resources

In suburban areas, the Cresent Honeyeater depends upon a reliable source of water and thick flowering native bushes, especially grevillias. Areas without feral or domestic Cats (Felis catus).

Breeding

This species does not have a defined breeding season, although most activity takes place between July and March. Breeding pairs form a life-long bond and maintain a breeding territory every year. They make a thick-walled nest of sticks, bark and grass in the thickest part of undergrowth, within two meters of the ground. 2-3 pink-brown eggs are laid and incubated by the female for 14 days. Both parents feed the young for up to a month after they hatch.

Behaviour

This is a very noisy and active species, however it is not as social as other honeyeaters and is typically seen alone or in very small groups. These birds migrate with altitude and travel down into Canberra over the colder months from higher surrounding ranges. Males are especially vocal during their breeding season. They can be seen foraging about vegetation in swift flight.

Functional Group

Nectar-eater

Food Species

The Crescent Honeyeater forages actively for nectar, sweet sap, fruits and insects.

Predators

The low-lying nests of the Crescent Honeyeater leaves the birds and their young susceptible to predation any feral animals, however both domestic and feral Cats (Felis catus) are the most likely to hunt this species.

Interesting Fact

Breeding pairs are together for life and also defend the same territory for breeding and feeding every year, often very close to where they themselves were born.