Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus
Crescent Honeyeaters prefer forests and heathlands with a dense shrub cover and nectar-producing bushes such as grevilleas and banksias. They are uncommon in gardens and are usually seen singly or in pairs.
In Canberra they are altitudinal migrants, the first birds appearing in April after moving down from the mountains in search of food. Numbers peak in July then decline through to November; they are virtually absent from the suburbs in summer. Numbers have been very variable over the years but appear to be declining in Canberra’s gardens. There are only two breeding records. R=77. BR=81.