Common Name: Lewin Honeyeater

Scientific Name: Meliphaga lewinii

We are always on the lookout for new and indentified species of birds at Booyong and we are never disappointed. Over 130 species of birds have been identified on this property – take a look at our species list!

As you can see from the picture the Lewin’s Honeyeater is small to medium in size and dark greenish grey, with a creamy yellow gape. The pale yellow feathers can be seen when it’s in flight and it has a black bill and blue-grey eyes. Both the male and female are similar in appearance and are responsible for caring for young birds.

The Lewin’s Honeyeater is found in both rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest in eastern parts of Australia from Queensland to central Victoria. It is a sedentary bird with some migration to lower areas in winter. They are usually seen alone as was the case at Booyong this day, however they can form lose groups of up to ten birds.

The feed in the upper branches of tree trunks on small fruits and berries and also eat insects and nectar.

For more information see Birds in Backyards.