wattlebird

Wattlebirds
Anthochaera chrysoptera
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Meliphagidae
Genus:	Anthochaera Vigors & Horsfield, 1827
Species
Anthochaera carunculata - Red Anthochaera chrysoptera - Little Anthochaera paradoxa - Yellow Anthochaera lunulata - Western

Wattlebirds (Anthochaera) are members of the Honeyeater family, and native to Australia. Species of wattlebird include the Little Wattlebird, the Red Wattlebird, the Western Wattlebird, and the Yellow Wattlebird.

The entire Callaeidae family of New Zealand, comprising the Tieke (also known as the Saddleback), the Kokako, and the extinct Huia, are wattlebirds.

Wattlebirds are characterized by their wattles. These are bare fleshy appendages, usually wrinkled and often brightly coloured, hanging from the cheeks, neck or throat, and presumably serving for display. The exception is the Little Wattlebird, which lacks wattles.

Some other birds also have wattles, although they are not known by the term "wattlebird". Examples include the Turkey; some vultures; and several species of lapwing.

Anthochaera lunulata

Anthochaera paradoxa

Anthochaera chrysoptera

Anthochaera carunculata

See also

• List of Australian birds

External links

• Wattlebird videos on the Internet Bird Collection
• TerraNature pages on New Zealand wattlebirds