Western Wattlebird

Anthochaera lunulata

A boisterous character of Australian woodlands, this large honeyeater's loud, harsh calls are unmistakable.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Western Wattlebird is a large honeyeater with distinctive plumage. Its upperparts are predominantly brown with white streaks, while the underparts are greyish-white, brown with white chevron-like markings. Despite its name, it lacks the distinctive wattles of its relatives.

Both sexes look similar, with a long, curved bill and a relatively long tail. Juveniles resemble adults but have less prominent wattles and duller overall colouration.

Size

Length

33cm to 38cm

Wingspan

45cm to 50cm

Weight

100g to 140g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Western Wattlebird can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Western Wattlebird is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Western Wattlebird is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Western Wattlebird can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Western Wattlebird can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Western Wattlebird is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Western Wattlebird is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Western Wattlebird is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Western Wattlebird is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Western Wattlebird is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Western Wattlebird is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Western Wattlebird is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Western Wattlebirds are endemic to southwestern Australia, ranging from Carnarvon to east of Esperance. They inhabit eucalyptus woodlands, coastal heathlands, and urban areas with native vegetation.

While primarily sedentary, some local movements occur in response to flowering patterns. In Australia, they are common in Perth and other urban areas where suitable native plants are present.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Mediterranean

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Western Wattlebird. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons