Scarlet Honeyeater

The Scarlet Honeyeater is a diminutive honeyeater, among the smallest in Australia, and the male is unmistakable with brilliant scarlet-red plumage covering the head, throat, and back, contrasting sharply with glossy black wings and tail. Females and immatures are far duller, mostly grey-brown above with a paler throat and a faint reddish wash sometimes present on the chin.

Despite its tiny size, the male's intense color makes it one of the most eye-catching birds of eastern Australian forests when perched in the outer canopy of a flowering eucalypt, though its small size and constant movement can still make it tricky to spot.

Key field marks

• Very small size, among the tiniest Australian honeyeaters
• Male: brilliant scarlet-red head, throat, and back with black wings and tail
• Female: dull grey-brown above, paler below, with little or no red
• Thin, sharply pointed bill suited to nectar feeding

Similar species

• Mistletoebird male is also small and red-and-black but has a glossy blue-black back and red confined to the throat and breast, with a stubby bill rather than a fine nectar-feeding bill.
• Female Scarlet Honeyeaters can be confused with other small brown honeyeaters but are told by their tiny size and fine bill.

Habitat

Found in eucalypt forests, woodlands, coastal heath, and gardens, wherever flowering trees provide nectar.

Range

Occurs along the east coast of Australia from Cape York in far north Queensland south to Victoria, with occasional records further afield.

Migration

Partly migratory and nomadic, with southern populations generally moving north in winter to follow flowering eucalypts, while northern populations are more sedentary.

Behavior

Active and restless, moving quickly through the outer canopy of flowering trees; males are strongly territorial around good nectar sources and will chase off rivals.

Voice

A high, thin, tinkling song of sweet notes, along with sharp, high-pitched contact calls.

Feeding

Feeds almost entirely on nectar from flowering eucalypts and other native trees, supplemented with small insects caught on the wing or gleaned from foliage.

Nesting

Builds a tiny, delicate cup nest of fine plant material and spider web in the outer foliage of a tree or shrub; lays 2 small pale eggs with reddish speckling.