White-plumed Honeyeater (Lichenostomus penicillatus): is also known as the Native Canary, Chickowee, Greenie, Linnet, Ringeye and Ringneck. Within this plethora of names we feel that “White-plumed” is the most descriptive.
The White-plumed Honeyeater is between 150-170 millimetres long. It is olive-grey with yellow-olive head and a long, clear-cut white plume on the neck. In northern Australia and Western Australia the plumage is more yellow and the head golden- yellow.
The White-plumed Honeyeater is found in all mainland Australian states. They are observed either singly, in pairs or parties and feed from the bottom to the top of tall trees. They are always active.
The White-plumed Honeyeater is seldom far from water in a range of habitats, both natural and modified such as golf-courses and parks.
The nest is a deep cup constructed of grasses bound with spider’s web and lined with plant down or horse hair. It hangs from outer branches anywhere from one metre to 25 metres off the ground. Two or three eggs are laid.
The bird illustrated flew into one of our windows and was temporarily stunned. After submitting to photographs the individual flew off.
White-plumed Honeyeaters are not common around Yallaroo. In 11 years we have only sighted three specimens included the kamikaze individual.

Wildlife