Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Red Wattlebird
Anthochaera carunculata
Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 14 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) is a member of the Meliphagidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 106 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Meliphagidae Honeyeaters
- Genus Anthochaera
- Species carunculata
Quick facts
- Weight
- 106 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Red Wattlebird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Red Wattlebird is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) belongs to the Meliphagidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU s, se Australia.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 106 g, with a wing length of about 15.5 cm and a tail of around 16.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Red Wattlebird?
The Red Wattlebird is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 106 g.
Where does the Red Wattlebird live?
The Red Wattlebird is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU s, se Australia, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Red Wattlebird belong to?
The Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) belongs to the Meliphagidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Red Wattlebird eat?
The Red Wattlebird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Red Wattlebird migrate?
The Red Wattlebird is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Red Wattlebird endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Red Wattlebird make?
1 real field recording of the Red Wattlebird — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Red Wattlebird's range?
The Red Wattlebird has a mapped global range of about 2.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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