Gray-fronted Honeyeater Ptilotula plumula Scientific name definitions

14–16·5 cm; male 13·5–18·5g and female 15–16·5 g (nominate), male 15–22·5g and female 16–27·5 g (graingeri), male 12–21·5 g and female 11–16·7 g (planasi). Nominate race has olive-yellow top and side of head, with inconspicuously grey lower forehead, distinct stripe formed by black-brown lores and eyering, and fine black gape-line meeting black tips of rear ear-coverts, and a short, broad yellow neck-plume that fans out on side of neck; upperparts light grey-brown, tinged yellow; upperwing brown, dull yellow-olive outer edges of secondaries and primaries (large panel on folded wing), fine white tips of remiges and terminal outer edges of primaries; tail grey-olive with yellow-olive sides; off-white below, yellow wash on chin, throat, breast and undertail-coverts, and diffuse brownish streaking throughout, faintest on breast; underwing cream with brownish-grey trailing edge and tip; iris dark brown; bill and gape black; legs dark blue-grey to dark grey. Sexes alike in plumage, male slightly larger than female. Juvenile is slightly duller and paler than adult, with browner upperbody, paler and less distinct neck-plume, light grey-brown upper­wing-coverts with light brown fringes, greyish-brown bill with yellowish to cream base of lower mandible, and swollen yellow to orange gape. Races differ in size and plumage: graingeri is significantly larger than nominate, with darker upperparts and (some individuals) darker grey-brown streaking on breast and richer yellow centre of breast, adults from E limit of range tending darker above and with bolder breast streaking (extending to upper belly and over flanks) than those from W; planasi is similar to nominate but with longer bill and shorter tarsus, upperbody generally paler, streaking below finer and better defined, grey band on lower forehead much narrower, top of head duller yellow-olive, merging to grey-brown on nape and hindneck, and black line across rear ear-coverts broader.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

In S mainly mallee eucalypt woodlands or shrublands or associated habitats, and commonly in low, densely coppiced mallee regenerating after fire or harvesting, though infrequently in taller mallee woodlands; also semi-arid heathland or mulga woodland interspersed with patches of mallee eucalypts. Rarely far from mallee, but recorded in low non-mallee eucalypt woodlands, particularly those close to mallee, and will exploit flowering vegetation near or in ecotone with mallee vegetation. In inland and N Australia mainly in low riparian vegetation, including understorey of taller riverine associations, and savanna eucalypt woodlands or forests, usually with grassy ground layer. Throughout range, recorded also in low woodlands or shrublands dominated by Acacia or paperbark (Melaleuca).

Resident in many places. Numbers can fluctuate, e.g. around Mt Isa, in NW Queensland, numbers highest May–Dec; described as partially nomadic in New South Wales and possibly in Northern Territory, and said not to stay for long at any site in South Australia. No information on causes of fluctuations or extent of any movements. Vagrants of race planasi recorded N of normal range in Top End; vagrant graingeri recorded E of range.

Nectar, particularly of Eucalyptus, Eremophila and mistletoes (Loranthaceae), and arthropods (mostly insects, some spiders); also fruit and seeds (latter probably from fruits). Usually forages in crowns of trees (especially mallee eucalypts) or in shrubs, sometimes in air, occasionally on ground. Obtains insects by gleaning from foliage, twigs and bark of larger branches of trees and shrubs, also by sallying above canopy; very occasionally gleans from ground; nectar taken by probing flowers. Usually forages singly, in twos (probably pairs) or in groups of up to c. 15 individuals, occasionally in larger loose flocks of up to 80 birds in areas of flowering trees. Often displaces other meliphagids; variously dominant over or submissive to P. ornata, apparenty related to numerical dominance of each species in an area; seen to forage with P. fusca and P. penicillata without aggression.

Vocalizations described as sharp, shrill, loud, and repeated often, but can be silent for long periods during day. Male song described as canary-like; and flight song a loud, sharp, almost guttural “it-wirt”, “wirt, wirt, wirt” or “it-wit it it”, given in and after display-flights. Calls include repeated “clit”, as contact; harsh squeaking note in alarm or when congregating; twittering calls; harsh screeching; and a “sw-e-e-t”.

Recorded in all months, but centred on winter-spring; clutches Jun–Mar. At one nest, only one member of pair appeared to build (occasionally accompanied by mate); nest a deep cup, often slightly smaller at rim, usually of fine grass, spider web, plant down or fibre or fine strips of bark, lined with plant down, feathers or hair or fur (other materials used include spider egg sacs, cocoons, and rootlets), external diameter 7–7·6 cm (6·4 cm at rim), depth 5·7–6·4 cm, internal diameter 4·4–5·1 cm, depth 2·5–4 cm; usually suspended (occasionally supported) 0·6–6·6 m (mean 2·3 m) above ground, often in terminal foliage but also from twigs, drooping branch or fork, in live small tree (especially mallee eucalypt) or shrub, occasionally mistletoe. Clutch usually 2 eggs, occasionally 1 or 3; incubation period once 15 days, said also to be 14 days; chicks fed by both sexes, nestling period once 12 days, once 15 days, given also as 14 days; at one nest, incubation of eggs and brooding of young by only one member of pair, probably female; fledglings fed by both adults. Nests parasitized by Pallid Cuckoo (Heteroscenes pallidus) and, possibly, Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo (Chalcites basalis). Of seven nests, six fledged at least one young.

Not globally threatened. Formerly listed as “endangered” in Victoria. Uncommon and rather sparsely distributed; no estimates of population. Adversely affected by clearance of mallee vegetation for agriculture, particularly wheat-cropping, in S of range, but may have benefited from harvesting of mallee for Eucalyptus-oil production, which creates areas of coppiced or regenerating mallee.