Little Wattlebird

The little wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera), also known as the brush wattlebird, is a passerine bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. It is found in coastal and sub-coastal south-eastern Australia. == Taxonomy == The little wattlebird was formally described by ornithologist John Latham in 1801 under the binomial name Merops chrysoptera. The species is now placed in the genus Anthochaera that was introduced by Nicholas Aylward Vigors and Thomas Horsfield in 1827. The generic name Anthochaera derives from the Ancient Greek anthos 'flower, bloom' and khairō 'enjoy'; the specific epithet chrysoptera derives from Ancient Greek khrysos 'gold' and pteron 'wing'. The International Ornithologists' Union recognise three subspecies: A. c. chrysoptera (Latham, 1801) – eastern and southeastern Australia A. c. halmaturina (Mathews, 1912) – Kangaroo Island (South Australia) A. c. tasmanica (Mathews, 1912) – Tasmania The western wattlebird (A. lunulata) was at one time considered as the subspecies A. c. lunulata. == Description == The little wattlebird is a medium to large honeyeater, but the smallest wattlebird. The appearance is similar to the yellow wattlebird and the red wattlebird. The little wattlebird lacks the wattles, which characterise other members of the genus. Juveniles are duller with less streaking and have a browner…