The painted honeyeater (''Grantiella picta'') is a species of
honeyeater
The honeyeaters are a large and diverse family (biology), family, Meliphagidae, of small to medium-sized birds. The family includes the Epthianura, Australian chats, myzomelas, friarbirds, wattlebirds, Manorina, miners and melidectes. They are ...
in a
monotypic genus
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unispec ...
.
Taxonomy
A member of the family
Meliphagidae
The honeyeaters are a large and diverse family, Meliphagidae, of small to medium-sized birds. The family includes the Australian chats, myzomelas, friarbirds, wattlebirds, miners and melidectes. They are most common in Australia and New Guinea ...
, ''Grantiella picta'' is the sole species under this genus.
[ The painted honeyeater was first described in 1838 by ]Gould
Gould may refer to:
People
* Gould (name), a surname
Places United States
* Gould, Arkansas, a city
* Gould, Colorado, an unincorporated community
* Gould, Ohio, an unincorporated community
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* Gould, West Virginia, a ...
and given the name ''Entomophila picta'',[Gould, J. (1865). ''Handbook to the birds of Australia''. Retrieved from https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34074714#page/540/mode/1up] but it was renamed ''Grantiella picta'' in 1911 by Mathews.[
It took another sixty years from its initial description before details of its eggs, habits, and distribution began to be investigated and recorded.][ Its genus name is in reference to Robert Grant, a Scottish-born taxidermist and collector, while the species name originates from the Latin word for painted, ''pictus'', and refers to the yellow markings on the feathers of its tail and wings.][
DNA sequencing has helped in organising genera within the family Meliphagidae into four main clades, which show relationships between species. However, a shortage in sampling and statistical analysis has led to some branches within the clades being more strongly linked than others.][Driskell, A. C., & Christidis, L. (2004). Phylogeny and evolution of the Australo-Papuan honeyeaters (Passeriformes, Meliphagidae). ''Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 31'', 943-960.]
A study conducted by Driskell and Christidis [ suggested that ''Grantiella'' is in the fourth clade and has associations with '' Plectorhyncha'' and '']Xanthotis
''Xanthotis'' is a genus of birds in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae.
The genus contains three species:
* Spotted honeyeater (''Xanthotis polygrammus'')
* Macleay's honeyeater (''Xanthotis macleayanus'')
* Tawny-breasted honeyeater (''Xanth ...
''. The relationship reported between ''Grantiella'' and ''Plectorhyncha'' was an unexpected discovery, due to their morphological differences; their similarity in nest-building behaviour was previously not enough to infer that the two species may be closely linked.
Several findings in the study by Driskell and Christidis [ have since been questioned in a more recent study on the DNA within the family ]Meliphagidae
The honeyeaters are a large and diverse family, Meliphagidae, of small to medium-sized birds. The family includes the Australian chats, myzomelas, friarbirds, wattlebirds, miners and melidectes. They are most common in Australia and New Guinea ...
,[Gardner, J. L., Trueman, J. W., Ebert, D., Joseph, L., & Magrath, R. D. (2010). Phylogeny and evolution of the Meliphagoidea, the largest radiation of Australasian songbirds. ''Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 55'', 1087-1102.] but ''Grantiella picta'' was not one of the species investigated further.
Description
Weighing around 20-25g, the painted honeyeater is a small bird that is approximately 16 cm in length, with a similar wingspan.[Higgins, P. J., Peter, J. M., & Steele, W. K. (Eds.). (2001). ''Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds: Vol. 5. Tyrant-flycatchers to Chats''. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. .][Longmore, W. (1991). ''Honeyeaters and their allies of Australia''. Collins/Angus & Robertson: North Ryde. .] 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
Flight feathers (''Pennae volatus'') are the long, stiff, asymmetrically shaped, but symmetrically paired pennaceous feathers on the wings or tail of a bird; those on the wings are called remiges (), singular remex (), while those on the tail ...
and greater primary and secondary coverts
A covert feather or tectrix on a bird is one of a set of feathers, called coverts (or ''tectrices''), which, as the name implies, cover other feathers. The coverts help to smooth airflow over the wings and tail. Ear coverts
The ear coverts are sm ...
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
Flight feathers (''Pennae volatus'') are the long, stiff, asymmetrically shaped, but symmetrically paired pennaceous feathers on the wings or tail of a bird; those on the wings are called remiges (), singular remex (), while those on the tail ...
and rectrices
Flight feathers (''Pennae volatus'') are the long, stiff, asymmetrically shaped, but symmetrically paired pennaceous feathers on the wings or tail of a bird; those on the wings are called remiges (), singular remex (), while those on the tail ...
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 .][
Females are slightly smaller than the males and are paler in colour, with fewer spots running down the flanks.][Pizzey, G., & Knight, G. (2012). ''The field guide to the birds of Australia'' (9th ed.). HarperCollins: Sydney. .] Juveniles are even paler than the female, appearing more brown than black, with fainter yellow colouring to feathers and with a grey bill rather than the pink seen on adults.[
]
Distribution and habitat
The painted honeyeater is endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...
to Australia and is found across eastern and northern parts of the country.[ Over spring and summer its distribution stretches from inland central Victoria through scattered parts of much of New South Wales and the ACT and into southern Queensland.][
Over winter birds migrate to north Queensland, around Cape York Peninsula, and eastern areas of the Northern Territory.][ There have also been recordings of several sightings in far eastern parts of South Australia.][
Found predominantly in woodlands and forests which contain '']Eucalyptus
''Eucalyptus'' () is a genus of over seven hundred species of flowering trees, shrubs or mallees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Along with several other genera in the tribe Eucalypteae, including '' Corymbia'', they are commonly known as euca ...
'' and ''Acacia
''Acacia'', commonly known as the wattles or acacias, is a large genus of shrubs and trees in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the pea family Fabaceae. Initially, it comprised a group of plant species native to Africa and Australasia. The genus na ...
'' species, their movement is not completely understood but has been connected to the presence of mistletoe
Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemiparasitic plants in the order Santalales. They are attached to their host tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium, through which they extract water and nutrients from the host plant.
...
and the role of that plant as a food source.[ Their migration south-north is believed to be as a result of mistletoe berry availability at certain times of the year.][Keast, A. (1968). Seasonal movements in the Australian honeyeaters (Meliphagidae) and their ecological significance. ''Emu, 67'', 159-209.]
Studies have been conducted which suggest that habitat areas which have undergone less fragmentation and land clearing may see a greater number of painted honeyeaters present.[Oliver, D. L., Chambers, M. A., Parker, D. G. (2003). Habitat and resource selection of the Painted Honeyeater (''Grantiella picta'') on the northern floodplains regions of New South Wales. ''Emu, 103'', 171-176.] They have also been found to be more abundant in locations where there are a large number of trees present and a high percentage of canopy cover.[
The painted honeyeater is a nomadic species that is very elusive.][ Observing them is rare but when they are seen it is commonly as pairs or individuals, and less frequently as a flock.][
]
Important Bird Areas
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental organizations that strives to conserve birds and their habitats. BirdLife International's priorities include preventing extinction of bird species, identifying and safeguarding ...
has identified the following sites as being important for painted honeyeater conservation:
;New South Wales
* Binya and Cocoparra
* Capertee Valley
The Capertee Valley (pronounced Kay-per-tee) is a large canyon in New South Wales, Australia, north-west of Sydney that is noted to be the second widest of any canyon in the world, exceeding The Grand Canyon. It is located kilometres north-wes ...
* Goonoo
* Pilliga
Pilliga is a village 105 km west of Narrabri in the North West Plains section of the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. The village is within Narrabri Shire local government area.
It is located near the Pilliga Forest, which ...
* South-west Slopes of NSW
;Queensland
* Boodjamulla
;Victoria
* Warby-Chiltern Box-Ironbark Region
Behaviour
Vocalisation
Commonly known to give the call “Georgie”, which is broken into two notes, for example ''geor-gie'' or ''georg-EEE''.[ This can also be done in reverse.][ Males can be particularly vocal during courtship and both sexes are known to call when in flight during the breeding season as they leave and approach the nest.][
Some birds may quieten down once nesting has begun or give softer calls as they are approached by people,][Hindwood, K. A. (1935). The Painted Honeyeater. ''Emu, 34'', 149-157] or when they are settling down on the nest.[Whitmore, M. J., & Eller, C. M. (1983). Observations at a nest of Painted Honeyeaters. ''Emu, 83''(3) 199 – 202] A call sounding like “chur”, has been recorded and associated with movement into and out of the nest, possibly signalling relief at returning to the nest.[
Under the threat of predation, they also give out alarm calls. Both males and females use differing intensity calls, depending on the situation – a more urgent call is sounded when eggs are being stolen.][
]
Breeding
While the breeding patterns of some species of honeyeaters, such as the Regent honeyeater
The regent honeyeater (''Anthochaera phrygia'') is a critically endangered bird endemic to southeastern Australia. It is commonly considered a flagship species within its range, with the efforts going into its conservation having positive effe ...
, are based around the nectar of a particular flowering tree,[Franklin, D. C., Menkhorst, P. W., & Robinson, J. L. (1989). Ecology of the Regent Honeyeater ''Xanthomyza phrygia''. ''Emu, 89'', 140-154.][Geering, D., & French, K. (1998). Breeding biology of the Regent Honeyeater ''Xanthomyza phrygia'' in the Capertree Valley, New South Wales. ''Emu, 98'', 104-116.] those of the painted honeyeater appear to be centred on the presence of mistletoe berries,[ particularly those in the genus '']Amyema
''Amyema'' is a genus of semi- parasitic shrubs (mistletoes) which occur in Malesia and Australia.
Etymology
''Amyema'' derives from the Greek: ''a'' (negative), and ''myeo'' (I initiate), referring to the genus being previously unrecognised.
D ...
''.
Although painted honeyeaters build nests in a variety of tree species including ''Eucalyptus spp.'' many also favour yarran (''Acacia homalophylla
''Acacia homalophylla'' is a small tree found in the eastern half of Australia, where it is known as the yarran. It has also been introduced into India and Pakistan.
Description
''Acacia homalophylla'' has a clean trunk and leafy head, a da ...
'') and white cypress-pine (''Callitris glaucophylla
''Callitris'' is a genus of coniferous trees in the Cupressaceae (cypress family). There are 16 recognized species in the genus, of which 13 are native to Australia and the other three (''C. neocaledonica, C. sulcata'' and ''C. p ...
''), both of which are hosts of the hemiparasitic grey mistletoe (''Amyema quandang
''Amyema quandang'' is a species of hemi-parasitic shrub which is widespread throughout the mainland of Australia, especially arid inland regions, sometimes referred to as the grey mistletoe.
Description
An aerial shrub, without conventional roo ...
'').[Barea, L. P. (2008). Nest-site selection by the Painted Honeyeater (''Grantiella picta''), a mistletoe specialist. ''Emu, 108'', 213-220.]
The breeding season typically takes place from October through to March, the exact timing determined by the availability of resources, which can in turn be influenced by environmental conditions.[ Successful reproduction hinges on the availability of food; both the adult and young are dependent on adequate resources for survival.][Martin, T. E. (1987). Food as a limit on breeding birds: A life-history perspective. ''Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 18'', 453-487]
Male painted honeyeaters generally arrive at the nesting site several weeks before the female, with both sexes leaving around the same time about 5 months later when mistletoe berry numbers begin to decline.[Barea, L. P., & Watson, D. M. (2007). Temporal variation in food resources determines onset of breeding in an Australian mistletoe specialist. ''Emu, 107'', 203-209.] Although the fruit is available all year, it is more plentiful over the warmer months, and dwindles as the temperature drops.[
Using environmental cues, the timing of nesting is determined by the painted honeyeaters so that they are not arriving at sites as food resources are declining rather than beginning to increase.][ Coinciding breeding with fruit ripening may also correlate with the preference of many individuals to nest near or amongst mistletoe.][ It constructs a shallow, flimsy-looking, cup-shaped nest of fine grass and rootlets, bound with spider webs, hanging by the rim from twigs in the outer foliage of a shrub or tree, 3–20 m above the ground.
It is believed the closeness of the fruit to the nesting sites allows the species to put more effort into other activities as a result of not having to go searching for food.][ However, it has been shown that nests situated within the mistletoe clump can cause higher rates of nest failure and predation, possibly as the result of opportunistic behaviour by other bird species, such as the ]spiny-cheeked honeyeater
The spiny-cheeked honeyeater (''Acanthagenys rufogularis'') is the only species in the genus ''Acanthagenys''. It is large for a honeyeater, ranging from tall and weighing around 52 grams."Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater." Featherdal Wildlife ...
.[Barea, L. P., & Watson, D. M. (2013). Trapped between popular fruit and preferred nest location – cafeterias are poor places to raise a family. ''Functional Ecology, 27'', 766-774.]
The fact that this species builds nests at locations where the required resources are readily available has a direct influence on which habitats are chosen.[Barea, L. P. (2012). Habitat influences on nest-site selection by the Painted Honeyeater (''Grantiella picta''): Do food resources matter? ''Emu, 112'', 39-45] The branching of mistletoes provides structure for the nest to be built in, and the dense foliage helps with concealment.[Watson, D.M. (2001). Mistletoe – A keystone resources in forests and woodlands worldwide. ''Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 32'', 219-249.] Selecting mistletoe as a site for a nest may also offer a favourable microclimate
A microclimate (or micro-climate) is a local set of atmospheric conditions that differ from those in the surrounding areas, often with a slight difference but sometimes with a substantial one. The term may refer to areas as small as a few squ ...
, one that possibly provides a cooler environment during warmer periods.[Cooney, S. J., Watson, D. M., & Young, J. (2006). Mistletoe nesting in Australian birds: A review. ''Emu, 106'', 1-12.]
The life stages from the initiation of a clutch, through to hatching and fledging are a direct response to the availability of the berries as a food source, with fledging occurring just before berry ripening has reached its peak.[
While the role of the male in nest construction is limited in some species of honeyeaters, this is not the case with the painted honeyeater.][ Both male and female painted honeyeaters build and shape the nest, weaving and modifying it in a process that can take weeks.][ While the female builds, the male sits at the top of the tree, following the female when she leaves in search of nest material.][ The male may return sooner to add to the nest, but after departing again he will eventually reappear with the female.][
The male following the female during nest-building is an attempt to guard her from other interested males, but this behaviour is believed to stop once there are eggs in the nest.][ The incubation and care of young is also carried out by both males and females ][ with some pairs having more than one attempt at breeding per season ][
]
Nests and eggs
Nests are cup-shaped and made from a variety of materials including fine roots, bark, and grass.[ Small twigs, flowers and various fibres have also been recorded as contributing to the construction of painted honeyeater nests.][ Spider web is used to weave the structure together to form a thin nest, which may be see-through in places.][
Height of nests in trees can vary from a couple of metres off the ground to over 15 metres high.][ They are usually built in the drooping foliage of a eucalypt or other suitable tree species, or they are made within the structure of a mistletoe plant.][
The clutch typically consists of 2 eggs, but may be either 1 or 3.][ They are oval, with one end of the egg bigger than the other, and are approximately 2 cm long.][ Pale pink in colour, they are marked all over with red-brown spots, which become more prominent towards the larger end of the egg.][
]
Diet and foraging
Most honeyeaters have a mixed diet, consuming nectar, berries and insects from a range of sources and locations.[Oliver, D. L. (2000). Foraging behaviour and resource selection of the Regent Honeyeater ''Xanthomyza phrygia'' in northern New South Wales. ''Emu, 100'', 12-30.] The painted honeyeater is a frugivore
A frugivore is an animal that thrives mostly on raw fruits or succulent fruit-like produce of plants such as roots, shoots, nuts and seeds. Approximately 20% of mammalian herbivores eat fruit. Frugivores are highly dependent on the abundance an ...
, a dietary specialist dependent on the presence of mistletoe
Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemiparasitic plants in the order Santalales. They are attached to their host tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium, through which they extract water and nutrients from the host plant.
...
plants and its fruit; and the abundance of this species can usually be determined by the availability of this food source.[
At least 5 species of ''Amyema'' have been documented as being a food source for the painted honeyeater, for which the birds then assist in dispersal of the mistletoe by excreting the seed.][Reid, N. (1987). The mistletoebird and Australian mistletoes: Co-evolution or coincidence? ''Emu, 87'', 130-131.] Berries which grow on the grey mistletoe (''Amyema quandang'') are sources of carbohydrates, protein and water, and account for a significant amount of their diet.[
In addition to mistletoe berries, painted honeyeaters consume nectar and insects when berries are unavailable.][ They may also need insects and nectar to account for a low intake of certain nutrients from the berries.][Barea, L. P., & Herrera, M. L. G. (2009). Sources of protein in two semi-arid mistletoe specialists: Insights from stable isotopes. ''Austral Ecology, 34'', 821-828.] Mistletoe fruit is known to be low in amino acids and protein, so painted honeyeaters must rely on these other food sources to make up the remainder of their dietary requirements.[
]
Conservation status and threats
Painted honeyeaters are threatened by habitat loss
Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss and habitat reduction) is the process by which a natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species. The organisms that previously inhabited the site are displaced or dead, thereby ...
. Listed as vulnerable in several states and territories in Australia, fragmentation and land-clearing of areas which provide habitat for the painted honeyeater pose serious threats to the survival of this species.[
]
Australia
Painted honeyeaters are listed as vulnerable on the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
The ''Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999'' (Cth) is an Act of the Parliament of Australia that provides a framework for protection of the Australian environment, including its biodiversity and its natural and cultu ...
.
Victoria
* The painted honeyeater is listed as threatened
Threatened species are any species (including animals, plants and fungi) which are vulnerable to endangerment in the near future. Species that are threatened are sometimes characterised by the population dynamics measure of ''critical depensat ...
on the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988)
The ''Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988'', also known as the ''FFG Act'', is an act of the Victorian Government designed to protect species, genetic material and habitats, to prevent extinction and allow maximum genetic diversity within the Au ...
. Under this Act, an ''Action Statement'' for the recovery and future management of this species has been prepared.
* On the 2007 advisory list of threatened vertebrate fauna in Victoria, the painted honeyeater is listed as vulnerable.
New South Wales
* Listed as vulnerable under the ''Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995''.
Australian Capital Territory
* Listed as vulnerable under ''The Nature Conservation Act 1980''.
Queensland
* Listed as vulnerable under the ''Nature Conservation Act 1992
The ''Nature Conservation Act 1992'' is an act of the Parliament of Queensland, Australia, that, together with subordinate legislation, provides for the legislative protection of Queensland's threatened biota.
As originally published, it prov ...
''.
Northern Territory
* Listed as vulnerable under the ''Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2000''.
The management of fragmented landscapes with a high concentration of mistletoe is vitally important in the conservation of the painted honeyeater, as their breeding success is affected by its abundance.[Bowen, M. E., McAlpine, C. A., House, A. P., & Smith, G. C. (2009). Agricultural landscape modification increases the abundance of an important food resources: Mistletoes, birds and brigalow. ''Biological Conservation, 142'', 122-133.] Perceived as a pest in many regards, the mistletoe living within vegetation remnants plays an important role in helping to maintain both species populations and biodiversity
Biodiversity or biological diversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth. Biodiversity is a measure of variation at the genetic (''genetic variability''), species (''species diversity''), and ecosystem (''ecosystem diversity'') l ...
.[Watson, D. M. (2002). Effects of mistletoe on diversity: A case-study from southern New South Wales. ''Emu, 102'', 275-281.] The density of mistletoe has been found to influence species richness, with endangered and declining species benefiting from the food resources this plant has to offer.[
Effective maintenance of mistletoe is needed in relation to the management of host species and agricultural practices which influence their abundance, and as a result the habitats of the painted honeyeater.][ Studies conducted suggest that remnants, such as the '']Acacia harpophylla
''Acacia harpophylla'', commonly known as brigalow, brigalow spearwood or orkor, is an endemic tree of Australia. The Aboriginal Australian group the Gamilaraay peoples know the tree as Barranbaa or Burrii. It is found in central and coasta ...
'' remnants located in south Queensland, are important to the painted honeyeater as habitat destruction continues across its distribution range.[
The conservation and management of habitats which aim to protect the survival of species such as the regent honeyeater ('' Xanthomyza phrygia'') and swift parrot ('']Lathamus discolor
The swift parrot (''Lathamus discolor'') is a species of broad-tailed parrot, found only in southeastern Australia. The species breeds in Tasmania during the summer and migrates north to south eastern mainland Australia from Griffith- Warialda ...
'') may also aid in the conservation of the painted honeyeater.[ For this reason, consideration must be given to the direct influence mistletoe has in sustaining and providing for species populations, and in the conservation of these species.][
]
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q590704
painted honeyeater
The painted honeyeater (''Grantiella picta'') is a species of honeyeater in a monotypic genus.
Taxonomy
A member of the family Meliphagidae, ''Grantiella picta'' is the sole species under this genus. The painted honeyeater was first described ...
Birds of Queensland
Birds of New South Wales
Birds of Victoria (Australia)
Endemic birds of Australia
painted honeyeater
The painted honeyeater (''Grantiella picta'') is a species of honeyeater in a monotypic genus.
Taxonomy
A member of the family Meliphagidae, ''Grantiella picta'' is the sole species under this genus. The painted honeyeater was first described ...
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot