These Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters (Lichenostomus melanops) were filmed during September and October 2019 visits to a private conservation property in the Capertee Valley (NSW). What a treat it was – gorgeous birds in a glorious location! And they were just one of several honeyeater species to grace our video files that spring, thanks to bird baths in the vicinity of our accommodation. After many years of filming birds we have concluded that a water source is the most reliable site for bird observation, as well as being a huge asset to the birds and other animals. For instance, when bushwalking in the wilds it can be hard to see or photograph birds in dense shrubbery or high in trees. But find a creek, natural or artificial waterhole or even a muddy puddle (e.g. and and enjoy the show! Of course, be aware that water is vital to their survival; one shouldn’t linger when nervous species are around (e.g. macropods) and there are limited options for them. Certainly there were fewer options than what might be at the Capertee Valley property given drought conditions. (Check out our production about White-naped Honeyeaters for further discussion of the long dry spell.) In this filming situation, the rock-ringed cement-based pond being visited by Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters was close to a house, on the opposite side to another bird bath free of our presence, as well as a tree-fringed waterhole a bit further away (shown in Photo 2). While we have seen this honeyeater species (and others) at all three locations, the artificial yet natural-looking pond allows the best viewing. To see the other type of bird bath and advice on how to create one that is useful and safe for birds go to
Although bird baths in house zones/gardens are generally drawcards, what might appear at them will depend upon the habitat available. Compared to some honeyeaters (such as Noisy Miners, Red Wattlebirds and White-plumed Honeyeaters), Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters are more tied to their natural environment of eucalypt forest and woodland. They are rarely observed in truly urban areas, unlike the other honeyeaters mentioned. Sightings are almost always in national parks, reserves, any sizable strip of forest, or gardens abutting these natural places (such as the location for this video). Indeed, even at this property, the “Tufties” appear to stay in the top tree-filled third of the 140 acres (which merges with Wollemi National Park), rather than use a planted tree corridor to reach a larger dam near an open grassy area. But we have seen them feast on the nectar of a White Box (eucalypt) in a working farm next door. However, this important paddock tree is very close to the forested slopes behind both properties. Nonetheless, the relative lack of flexibility makes the striking and unmistakable Yellow-tufted Honeyeater rather elusive for the casual birder, despite the subspecies shown here (Lichenostomus melanops melanops) having the conservation status of secure. It’s the Victorian subspecies cassidix – aka the Helmeted Honeyeater – that is the truly rare bird.
For more information on Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters visit To hear their various calls, go to We found them to be one of the less vocal honeyeaters at the bird baths so ended up using a call recorded at a different location (Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park) for Photo 1. Several other bird species can be heard during the video, including Red Wattlebirds, White-browed Woodswallows, Little Lorikeets and Willie Wagtails.
0 Comments