This is the larger of the two wattlebirds, and the largest bird of the honeyeater family, found in Victoria. Unlike the other (the Little Wattlebird), the Red Wattlebird has a yellow belly and red skin patches on its face, called wattles. Their brush-tipped tongues are adapted for nectar feeding, but they also eat insects, berries and fruits.

They drive other birds from their territory with their raucous call, beak clacking and aggressive behaviour. They lay two or three pale brown-spotted pink eggs in an untidy, shallow nest often lined with hair or wool.

Size: Up to 35cm

Photo and Illustration: Mark Trinham.