Painted honeyeater

Description

Weighing around 20-25g,the painted honeyeater is a small bird that is approximately 16 cm in length,with a wingspan of a similar length.Of the total length,the tail averages about 5.5 cm long and the bill 1.3 cm. The face,crown and upper parts of the body (including the scapulars,nape and rump) on adult male birds are black,with small white spots located on either side of the head.The underside of the body,consisting of the chin,throat,breast and belly,as well as the underside of the tail,is white.Black spots may be present in amongst the white feathers of the flanks,breast and belly. The edges of black flight feathers and greater primary and secondary coverts are bright yellow,as are those of the tail feathers,which also have white tips.The striking colour contrast in the feathers of the remiges and retrices is one of the species' most distinctive traits,along with its pink bill,which has a grey tip.Feet and legs are also grey,while the irises of the eyes are reddish-brown.