White-cheeked Honeyeater

Phylidonyris niger

This striking black and white bird, with yellow wing panels, dashes between flowering shrubs in Australian woodlands, using its specialised brush-tipped tongue to feed on sweet nectar.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The White-cheeked Honeyeater is a striking small bird with bold black and white plumage. Its back, wings, and tail are predominantly black, contrasting sharply with white cheeks and underparts. A distinctive yellow panel on the wing and yellow edges on the tail feathers add vibrant accents.

Both sexes look similar, with juveniles appearing duller and browner than adults. The bird's slender, curved bill is well-adapted for nectar feeding, while its strong legs support its active foraging behaviour.

Size

Length

16cm to 20cm

Wingspan

20cm to 25cm

Weight

13g to 25g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White Yellow

Secondary Colour

Grey

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The White-cheeked Honeyeater can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The White-cheeked Honeyeater is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The White-cheeked Honeyeater is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The White-cheeked Honeyeater can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The White-cheeked Honeyeater can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The White-cheeked Honeyeater is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The White-cheeked Honeyeater is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The White-cheeked Honeyeater is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The White-cheeked Honeyeater is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The White-cheeked Honeyeater is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The White-cheeked Honeyeater is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The White-cheeked Honeyeater is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

White-cheeked Honeyeaters are found along the eastern and southern coasts of Australia, from northern Queensland to South Australia, including Tasmania. They inhabit coastal heathlands, woodlands, and forests, preferring areas with a diverse range of flowering plants.

These birds are generally sedentary, maintaining their territories year-round. In urban areas, they can be found in parks and gardens with native plantings. They adapt well to human-modified environments that provide suitable nectar sources.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 1,400 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a White-cheeked Honeyeater. 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