Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Lichenostomus fasciogularis
Profile last updated:
12 Feb 2018
Description
The Mangrove Honeyeater is a medium-sized honeyeater (body length of , about 20 cm) that, as its name indicates, inhabits mangroves and adjacent coastal vegetation. The upperparts are largely dull brownish olive, with a dull olive-green tail and a yellow-olive panel on the folded wing. They have a broad, blackish mask on the face, bordered below by a yellow streak.The underparts are mainly off-white with dark streaking, a brown breast-band and a distinctive scaly brown-and-yellow throat patch. Mangrove Honeyeaters have a strong, clear and melodious song, that can be repeated in a rollicking sequence, and a harsh chattering alarm call. They can be seen singly, in twos or small loose groups.
Distribution
The Mangrove Honeyeater is confined to the coastal fringe and offshore islands of eastern Australia, from Townsville, Queensland, south to the northern coast of NSW, where it may be expanding its range. It is common in Queensland but rare in NSW, where birds are found at several scattered localities. In NSW, most observations occur south to the Clarence River: around Tweed Heads, near Broken Head, and in the estuary of the Clarence River, near Iluka and Yamba. South of the Clarence, individuals or small numbers have been recorded around the mouth of the Macleay River between Stuarts Point and South West Rocks, and at Wauchope on the lower Hastings River.
Habitat and ecology
- The primary habitat of the species is mangrove woodlands and shrublands but Mangrove Honeyeaters also range into adjacent forests, woodlands and shrublands, including casuarina and paperbark swamp forests and associations dominated by eucalypts or banksias.
- They occasionally forage in parks and gardens of coastal towns and villages.
- Mangrove Honeyeaters eat nectar, from flowers, and invertebrates, including marine snails and crabs. They generally forage in mangroves, mainly taking food from among the foliage but also feeding at flowers, and from the trunks and roots. They also sometimes forage among flowering trees and shrubs in adjacent habitats.
- Breed in late winter and early summer, from about August to December, nearly always building their nests in a densely foliaged mangrove tree.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing of mangroves, especially old stands, and adjoining forest and woodland vegetation, for residential, infrastructure or tourism, development, or for aesthetic reasons associated with such development.
- Use of herbicides and pesticides in agriculture and to protect tourist and residential areas that may affect habitat of the species or prey densities.
- Pollution of estuaries and mangrove vegetation and accumulation of herbicide and pesticide residues resulting from agricultural, tourism and residential use of pesticides.
- The unknown but apparently small population of this species in NSW, restricted to a few known sites, leaves the mangrove Honeyeater vulnerable to declines resulting from unpredicted and random events.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Plant locally occurring nectar-producing plants in gardens close to estuarine habitats.
- Avoid the use of pesticides and herbicides adjacent to waterways and estuaries.
- Protect coastal estuaries from pollution.
- Protect old mangrove forests and adjoining stands of swamp forest and vegetation containing nectar-producing trees and shrubs.
- Report records away from known localities to the DECCW.
Information sources
- Higgins, P.J., Peter, J.M. and Steele, W.K. (eds) (2001) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 5: Tyrant-flycatchers to Chats. (Oxford University Press, Melbourne)
- Longmore, W. (1991) Honeyeaters and Their Allies of Australia. Angus & Robertson: Sydney.
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Fauna. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
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