White-fronted honeyeater
| White-fronted honeyeater | |
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Scientific classification
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Meliphagidae |
| Genus: | Purnella Mathews,1914 |
| Species: | P. albifrons
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| Binomial name | |
| Purnella albifrons (Gould,1841)
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| Distribution of white-fronted honeyeaters throughout Australia. | |
Thewhite-fronted honeyeater(Purnella albifrons) is a medium-sized bird speciesendemictoAustralia.Mainly distributed throughoutaridandsemi-aridlandscapes. The white-fronted honeyeater has distinct colourings with a white face, black or brown upper chest with white speckles and yellow panels on their brown wings.[2]
The white-fronted honeyeater was described by the English bird artistJohn Gouldin 1841 and given thebinomial nameGlyciphila albifrons.[3]Thespecific epithetcombinesalbusmeaning 'white' withfronsmeaning 'forehead' or 'front'.[4]The white-fronted honeyeater was formerly in the genusPhylidonyris,[5]but is now classified as their owngenus,Purnella.[6]The generic name was chosen to honour theoologistand collector, Herbert A. Purnell.[6][7]
Ecology
[edit]Diet
[edit]White-fronted honeyeaters (as the name suggests) primarily consumenectarfrom flowers.[8]Studies have been undertaken to expand this field of knowledge and it has been identified that when nectar is not available or in minimal supply, white-fronted honeyeaters may consume a range of other materials such as seeds, plant matter and insects.[8]This level of variation within the diet allows white-fronted honeyeaters to be able to adapt to different environments and survive in arid areas. The diet of white-fronted honeyeaters has been determined by previous observational studies as well as the analysis ofgizzardcontents.[8]
Behaviour
[edit]The white-fronted honeyeater moves quickly throughout landscapes; foraging for food and avoiding predators. The species regularly frequents tall shrub species, such asEremophilashrubs and floweringmalleeplants.[9]
White-fronted honeyeaters breed in small colonies.[2]This process ensures that white-fronted honeyeaters can warn their neighbours of the same species of potentialpredatorswhen they are at their most vulnerable. The female white-fronted honeyeater constructs their nest from materials that are easy to find within their landscape, and that can add support and structure to the nest. These materials include a range oforganic mattersuch as grasses, spider webs, roots, bark and plant stems. They are woven together to create a cup-like nest which is then lined with an extra layer to provide warmth and comfort to the chicks.[2]This nest lining is composed of a mix of wool, cotton threads, fur and plant material. Nests are generally constructed in the lower branches of shrubs.[2]
The female white-fronted honeyeaters nurtures and broods the eggs, providing warmth and safety. When the eggs hatch, both the female and male white-fronted honeyeaters work tirelessly to provide sufficient food for their young.[2]
Predatory threats
[edit]White-fronted honeyeaters must remain vigilant of predators at all times including when brooding their young. Other bird species can be a major threat to nesting white-fronted honeyeaters as species such asbutcherbirds,currawongsandcorvidsare known for raiding the nests of other bird species.[10]These nest raiders are known to consume the eggs or young chicks of honeyeaters within Australia. Some snake species, such as thenorthern brown snake,are also known as nest predators, as they also consume the young chicks and eggs of the white-fronted honeyeater.[2]
Accidents can happen during breeding season resulting in the destruction of the eggs or the nest. Heavy rain events can destroy nests or dislodge the nest from the shrub where it is located.[10]Honeyeater species in general have been found to occasionally destroy eggs.[10]
Conservation
[edit]White-fronted honeyeaters are currently classified as 'least concern' under theIUCN red list.[1]The species is secure in the majority of States and Territories in Australia, includingSA,VIC,NSW,QLD,NTandWA.[2]
White-fronted honeyeaters are not found inTasmaniadue to the geographical distance from mainland Australia and the landscape composition of Tasmania.
Gallery
[edit]-
White-fronted honeyeater in a shrub -
White-fronted honeyeater resting -
The ability for white-fronted honeyeaters to blend in with their surroundings viacamouflage.
References
[edit]- ^abBirdLife International (2016)."Purnella albifrons".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.2016:e.T22704372A93965157.doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22704372A93965157.en.Retrieved12 November2021.
- ^abcdefgBirdLife Australia."White-fronted Honeyeater | BirdLife Australia".birdlife.org.au.Retrieved2021-06-07.
- ^Gould, John(1840)."Glyciphila albifrons".Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London.Part 8: 160–161.Although bearing the year 1840 on the title page, the volume did not appear until 1841.
- ^Jobling, James A. (2010).The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names.London: Christopher Helm. p.38.ISBN978-1-4081-2501-4.
- ^Paynter, Raymond A. Jr, ed. (1986).Check-list of Birds of the World.Vol. 12. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 429.
- ^abMathews, Gregory M.(1914)."New species".Austral Avian Record.2(5): 110–116 [111].
- ^Jobling, James A. (2010).The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names.London: Christopher Helm. p.324.ISBN978-1-4081-2501-4.
- ^abcWatson, David M. (17 July 1995)."The Importance of Mistletoe to the White-fronted HoneyeaterPhylidonyris albifronsin Western Victoria ".Emu – Austral Ornithology.97(2): 174–177.doi:10.1071/MU97021– via Taylor & Francis Online.
- ^Recher, H. F.; Davis, W. E. Jr. (January 2002)."Foraging profile of a Salmon Gum woodland avifauna in Western Australia"(PDF).Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia.85:106 – via Research Repository.
- ^abcAustralian honeyeaters (June 9, 2021)."Australian Honeyeaters (Meliphagidae)".
