These large drab honeyeaters usually forage in the canopy in dense vegetation near water, but this one posed briefly in the open in the morning sun, perhaps to dry off after bathing. This species is endemic to the tropics of northern Australia. Males and females are alike and immatures are usually inseparable from adults in the field. IOC & Howard & Moore 4th place this bird in the genus Stomiopera following a genetic analysis by Nyári and Joseph (2011) which found Lichenostomus to be polyphyletic. Clements and HBW have not yet followed this recommendation. Historically this species was included in the genus Meliphaga.
Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LZ5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter)