Image via Macaulay Library
Brown-backed Honeyeater
- Scientific name
- Ramsayornis modestus
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Woodland
- Wing shape
- Rounded
- Tail shape
- Notched
Where it came from
The Brown-backed Honeyeater (Ramsayornis modestus) was formally described by the ornithologist George Robert Gray in 1858. As a member of the Meliphagidae family, it occupies a distinct niche within the avifauna of northern Australia and southern New Guinea. Its design is characterized by an evolutionarily functional anatomy, specifically featuring rounded wings and a slightly notched tail, which facilitate its agile, nectar-seeking flight patterns through paperbark woodlands and mangroves.
The species is widely recognized for its hanging, retort-shaped nest, a sophisticated architectural feat woven from bark strips and spider silk, often suspended over water. In the field of ornithology, it is noted for its adaptability to wetland ecosystems. While it has been documented by naturalists since the mid-19th century, it remains a subject of ongoing study for its specialized feeding behavior and seasonal movements within its tropical range.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Brown-backed Honeyeater
Brown-backed Honeyeater is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Brown-backed Honeyeater on collecto.rs?
Brown-backed Honeyeater doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Brown-backed Honeyeater?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Brown-backed Honeyeater catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Brown-backed Honeyeater is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
