SPECIES: Nesoptilotis leucotis thomasi — Kangaroo Island White-eared Honeyeater
CLASSIFICATION: Endangered
For much of the wildlife over on Kangaroo Island, the wildfires of 2019/2020 were devastating. The population of the KI White-earred Honeyeater declined by an estimated 54%, now putting this sweet honeyeater on the endangered species list. This particular honeyeater has a black face and a diagnostic white ear patch, adults have an olive-green upper body. They nest within shrubs and low trees, their nests are firm, thick-walled open cups lined with fur from animals.
The estimate is around 6700 individuals left on the Island. Ongoing threats include wildfire, habitat degradation caused by feral pigs and predation by feral cats.