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Meliphagidae - Honeyeaters

There are around 177 bird species in this family. They are found in forests, cultivated lands, and brushlands of Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.

They are 4-16 inches (10.2-40.6 cm) in length and have a long brush-tipped tongue that they use to gather nectar. They have long, curved bills; long, pointed wings; and medium to long tails.

Honeyeaters and the other birds in this family come in a variety of colors and patterns, ranging from browns to yellows and grays. Some species are patterned with patches of red, yellow, white, and black.

They eat nectar, fruit, and insects.

  • The spiny-cheeked honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Spiny-Cheeked Honeyeater
    (Acanthagenys rufogularis)
    The spiny-cheeked honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The western spinebill is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Western Spinebill
    (Acanthorhynchus superciliosus)
    The western spinebill is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The eastern spinebill is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Eastern Spinebill
    (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)
    The eastern spinebill is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red wattlebird is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red Wattlebird
    (Anthochaera carunculata)
    The red wattlebird is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The little wattlebird is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Little Wattlebird
    (Anthochaera chrysoptera)
    The little wattlebird is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The western wattlebird is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Western Wattlebird
    (Anthochaera lunulata)
    The western wattlebird is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow wattlebird is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow Wattlebird
    (Anthochaera paradoxa)
    The yellow wattlebird is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The regent honeyeater is found in southeast Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
    Regent Honeyeater
    (Anthochaera phrygia)
    The regent honeyeater is found in southeast Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
  • The New Zealand bellbird is found in New Zealand. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    New Zealand Bellbird
    (Anthornis melanura)
    The New Zealand bellbird is found in New Zealand. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow-faced honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Faced Honeyeater
    (Caligavis chrysops)
    The yellow-faced honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black Honeyeater
    (Certhionyx niger)
    The black honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The rufous-banded honeyeater is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rufous-Banded Honeyeater
    (Conopophila albogularis)
    The rufous-banded honeyeater is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The blue-faced honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Blue-Faced Honeyeater
    (Entomyzon cyanotis)
    The blue-faced honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-fronted chat is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Fronted Chat
    (Epthianura albifrons)
    The white-fronted chat is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The crimson chat is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Crimson Chat
    (Epthianura tricolor)
    The crimson chat is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The the Polynesian wattled honeyeater is found in American Samoa, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Wallis and Futuna. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Polynesian Wattled Honeyeater
    (Foulehaio carunculatus)
    The the Polynesian wattled honeyeater is found in American Samoa, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Wallis and Futuna. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The mangrove honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Mangrove Honeyeater
    (Gavicalis fasciogularis)
    The mangrove honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The varied honeyeater is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Varied Honeyeater
    (Gavicalis versicolor)
    The varied honeyeater is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The singing honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Singing Honeyeater
    (Gavicalis virescens)
    The singing honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The painted honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Painted Honeyeater
    (Grantiella picta)
    The painted honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The crow honeyeater is found in New Caledonia. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
    Crow Honeyeater
    (Gymnomyza aubryana)
    The crow honeyeater is found in New Caledonia. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
  • The yellow-billed giant honeyeater is found in Fiji. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Billed Giant Honeyeater
    (Gymnomyza viridis)
    The yellow-billed giant honeyeater is found in Fiji. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The purple-gaped honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Purple-Gaped Honeyeater
    (Lichenostomus cratitius)
    The purple-gaped honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-eared honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Tufted Honeyeater
    (Lichenostomus melanops)
    The white-eared honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The dark-brown honeyeater is found in New Caledoni and Vanuatu. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Dark-Brown Honeyeater
    (Lichmera incana)
    The dark-brown honeyeater is found in New Caledoni and Vanuatu. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The brown honeyeater is found in Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Brown Honeyeater
    (Lichmera indistincta)
    The brown honeyeater is found in Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow-throated miner is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Throated Miner
    (Manorina flavigula)
    The yellow-throated miner is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The noisy miner is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Noisy Miner
    (Manorina melanocephala)
    The noisy miner is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The bell miner is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Bell Miner
    (Manorina melanophrys)
    The bell miner is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Belford's melidectes is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Belford's Melidectes
    (Melidectes belfordi)
    Belford's melidectes is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Lewin's honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Lewin's Honeyeater
    (Meliphaga lewinii)
    Lewin's honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The smoky honeyeater is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Smoky Honeyeater
    (Melipotes fumigatus)
    The smoky honeyeater is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-headed honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Headed Honeyeater
    (Melithreptus affinis)
    The black-headed honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-throated honeyeater is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Throated Honeyeater
    (Melithreptus albogularis)
    The white-throated honeyeater is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The brown-headed honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Brown-Headed Honeyeater
    (Melithreptus brevirostris)
    The brown-headed honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-naped honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Naped Honeyeater
    (Melithreptus lunatus)
    The white-naped honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The strong-billed honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Strong-Billed Honeyeater
    (Melithreptus validirostris)
    The strong-billed honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The cardinal myzomela is found in American Samoa, New Caledonia, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Cardinal Myzomela
    (Myzomela cardinalis)
    The cardinal myzomela is found in American Samoa, New Caledonia, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-headed myzomela is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-Headed Myzomela
    (Myzomela erythrocephala)
    The red-headed myzomela is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The suThe sulphur-breasted myzomela, also known as the orange-breasted myzomela, is found in Fiji. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Sulphur-Breasted Myzomela
    (Myzomela jugularis)
    The suThe sulphur-breasted myzomela, also known as the orange-breasted myzomela, is found in Fiji. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The dusky myzomela is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Dusky Myzomela
    (Myzomela obscura)
    The dusky myzomela is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Micronesian myzomela is found in Micronesia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Micronesian Myzomela
    (Myzomela rubratra)
    The Micronesian myzomela is found in Micronesia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The scarlet myzomela is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Scarlet Myzomela
    (Myzomela sanguinolenta)
    The scarlet myzomela is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow-throated honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Throated Honeyeater
    (Nesoptilotis flavicollis)
    The yellow-throated honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-eared honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Eared Honeyeater
    (Nesoptilotis leucotis)
    The white-eared honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The helmeted friarbird is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Helmeted Friarbird
    (Philemon buceroides)
    The helmeted friarbird is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The little friarbird is found in Australia and Indonesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Little Friarbird
    (Philemon citreogularis)
    The little friarbird is found in Australia and Indonesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The noisy friarbird is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Noisy Friarbird
    (Philemon corniculatus)
    The noisy friarbird is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-cheeked honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Cheeked Honeyeater
    (Phylidonyris niger)
    The white-cheeked honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The New Holland honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    New Holland Honeyeater
    (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)
    The New Holland honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The crescent honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Crescent Honeyeater
    (Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus)
    The crescent honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The striped honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Striped Honeyeater
    (Plectorhyncha lanceolata)
    The striped honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Tui is found in New Zealand. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Tui
    (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)
    The Tui is found in New Zealand. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The fuscous honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Fuscous Honeyeater
    (Ptilotula fusca)
    The fuscous honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-plumed honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Plumed Honeyeater
    (Ptilotula penicillata)
    The white-plumed honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The bar-breasted honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Bar-Breasted Honeyeater
    (Ramsayornis fasciatus)
    The bar-breasted honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The brown-backed honeyeater is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Brown-Backed Honeyeater
    (Ramsayornis modestus)
    The brown-backed honeyeater is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow Honeyeater
    (Stomiopera flava)
    The yellow honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Macleay's honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Macleay's Honeyeater
    (Xanthotis macleayanus)
    Macleay's honeyeater is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

Dusky Myzomela
The Dusky Myzomela is one of the birds in this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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