White-eared Honeyeater

The familiar, deep ‘chok-chok’ call of the White-eared Honeyeater is a common identifier of this bird among bird watchers.

White-eared Honeyeaters feed on insects as much as nectar, perhaps even more so. They take their prey from the foliage and bark of a variety of trees. Most references say they prefer dry woodland but the bird can often be seen in temperate rainforest, heathland, even alpine woodland but nearly always with mature trees and well-developed understory.

 

Generally, the bird is sedentary but particular populations can be nomadic or even locally migratory. 

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Although they mostly use animal hair, there are many records of White-eared Honeyeaters taking hair from the head of humans with which to line their nests. Their nests are normally located within the understory layer of scrub or bracken, etc. 

There are several races of White-eared Honeyeaters. Although their olive-green plumage is great camouflage, a glimpse of the white ear patch and of course the ‘chok-chok’ will help to quickly identify their presence.