Red Wattlebirds
Distribution / Habitat:
The Red Wattlebird, Anthochaera carunculata, is found in southern Australia and New Guinea - in open forests, woodland and near human habitation. It nests in trees, laying two or three eggs.
Description:
This honeyeater is 33 - 37 cm long and is the largest of all honeyeaters. Its name refers to the fleshy reddish wattle on the side of the neck. They have highly developed brush-tipped tongues adapted for nectar feeding. The tongue is flicked rapidly and repeatedly into a flower, the upper bill then compressing any liquid out when the bill is closed.
The plumage is grey-brown on the body, with prominent white streaks and yellow on the belly. The face is pale and the tail is long with a white-tip. It has several distinctive but unmusical calls including coughs, a harsh 'yac a yac' and a loud 'chok'.
Immature Red Wattlebirds are duller than the adult and have a brown, rather than reddish, eye. The wattle is also very small and pale.
In Tasmania it is replaced by the larger Yellow Wattlebird, A. paradoxa. This species is identified by its long, yellow wattle.
Diet:
In addition to fruit and nectar, it takes insects and other small creatures, usually by hawking.
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