Bridled Honeyeater

Overview

The Bolemoreus frenatus is a medium to large dusky honeyeater endemic to northeastern Queensland, Australia. It is well known for its distinctive rein-like facial markings and is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Medium to large size with a bicoloured bill and a white gape.
• Bolemoreus frenatus has blue eyes with a yellow line beneath and a white line behind them.
• Distinctive markings include a yellow tuft on the ear and a large white-grey patch on the side of the neck.

Habitat

This species inhabits subtropical or tropical moist upland forests and rainforests, typically above 300 metres, including wet eucalypt forests. It ranges from the Bloomfield-Mt Amos area south to Mt Spec in the Atherton region of north-east Queensland. During winter, it descends to lower forests, including mangroves, and may occasionally be seen in more open habitats.

Did you know?

The species name frenatus was derived from the Latin for 'bridle' or 'reins', a direct reference to the bird's striking facial markings. The genus name Bolemoreus was coined in 2011 to honour Australian ornithologists Walter Boles and N. Wayne Longmore.