White-plumed Honeyeater in Nyngan
This White-plumed Honeyeater looked at me curiously while I figured out what type of bird it was! The name “white-plumed” describes the strip of white between the bird’s head and shoulders:
White-plumed Honeyeaters were reclassified in 2011, moving from Lichenostomus penicillatus to Ptilotula penicillata. The reason was that these birds, along with a few other types of honeyeaters, shared a different ancestor from others in the Lichenostomus group.
Common name: White-plumed Honeyeater
Scientific name: Ptilotula penicillata, formerly Lichenostomus penicillatus
Approximate length: 15-17 cm
Date spotted: 22 July 2026 (winter)
Location: Nyngan Riverside Tourist Park, New South Wales, Australia: 31°33’33.1″S 147°10’51.7″E
