General Description
Very small bird. Short bill; long, pointed wings; short tail with a notch at tip. Sexes very different. Adult males black above; red chin, throat and upper breast; and white underbelly with a dark stripe down the centre. Females are mostly brownish-grey above, and paler below. Both sexes have a pale red patch under the base of the tail. Length 9 cm; wingspan 17 cm.
Biology
These birds are usually found in pairs or singly, high in the canopy of trees, often hidden among the foliage. Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that can be serious pest, and Mistletoebirds spread mistletoe seeds through their droppings.
Distribution
Across Australia.
Habitat
Variety of forest and woodland habitats, especially where trees are parasitized by mistletoe. Also parks, gardens and remnant vegetation.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Males black above, red chin and throat, white underside with a black stripe, females brownish-grey, pale red under base of tail.
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Colours
Black, Red, White, Brown
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Maximum Size
9 cm
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Habitats
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Diet
Herbivore
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Diet Categories
Seeds
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, FFG Threatened List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Least Concern
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Taxon Name
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Common Name
Mistletoebird
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Kingdom
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
hirundinaceum
