Constantly chanses other honeyeaters from food source. Prefers the outer foliage, foraging for nectar. Gleans and hawks for insects. Raucous 'ar-coo' repeated monotously.

Found in open eucalypt woodlands, forests, orchards. In the north, melaleuca forests, mangroves. Also in wetlands. Arid and semi-arid areas along watercourses. Parks and gardens, particularly with water.