# Brown Honeyeater

> Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta). The brown honeyeater is a meliphagid with a brush-tipped tongue adapted to nectar; flower visits should not automatically be counted as pollination.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/lichmera-indistincta/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/lichmera-indistincta/
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**Review status:** This guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

## Quick answer

The Brown Honeyeater (*Lichmera indistincta*) is a bird in the family Meliphagidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Nusa Tenggara, Java, Bali. Diet: nectar-feeder, also takes insects; a herbivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Lichmera indistincta* |
| Indonesian name | Isap-madu australia |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Meliphagidae |
| Observation records | Nusa Tenggara, Java, Bali |
| Taxonomic group | Passeriformes |
| GBIF records | 4,116 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2487341) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Herbivore (plant-eater) — nectar-feeder, also takes insects · [BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards](https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Lichmera-indistincta) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt) |

## What is the Brown Honeyeater?

Brown Honeyeater refers to Lichmera indistincta, in the genus Lichmera, family Meliphagidae, and order Passeriformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/2487341)

## What is known about the Brown Honeyeater?

The brown honeyeater is a meliphagid with a brush-tipped tongue adapted to nectar; flower visits should not automatically be counted as pollination.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichmera%20indistincta)

## How many Indonesian records name the Brown Honeyeater?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 4,116 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2487341&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Nusa Tenggara, Java, Bali. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2487341&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## How can you observe the Brown Honeyeater?

Record the date, broad location, voice and visible plumage without approaching nests or young. A clear, distant photograph is more useful than disturbing a bird for a closer view. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

## Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Brown Honeyeater with Helmeted Friarbird, Hair-crested Drongo, Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

## Scientific classification of the Brown Honeyeater

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Meliphagidae |
| Genus | *Lichmera* |
| Species | *Lichmera indistincta* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the Brown Honeyeater

### What is the scientific name of the Brown Honeyeater?

The scientific name of the Brown Honeyeater is *Lichmera indistincta*, in the family Meliphagidae and the order Passeriformes. In Indonesian it is called Isap-madu australia.

### What kind of animal is the Brown Honeyeater?

The Brown Honeyeater is a bird in the family Meliphagidae. By diet it is a herbivore (plant-eater): a nectar-feeder, also takes insects.

### Where does the Brown Honeyeater live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Brown Honeyeater summarised in this guide mainly come from Nusa Tenggara, Java, Bali. That list is not a complete range map.

### What does the Brown Honeyeater eat?

The Brown Honeyeater is a nectar-feeder, also takes insects. That makes it a herbivore (plant-eater). Source: [BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards](https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Lichmera-indistincta).

### How does the Brown Honeyeater reproduce?

The Brown Honeyeater reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352).

### Is the Brown Honeyeater nocturnal?

The cited source records the Brown Honeyeater as diurnal (active by day). Source: [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### What is the scientific classification of the Brown Honeyeater?

Scientific classification of the Brown Honeyeater: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family Meliphagidae, genus *Lichmera*, species *Lichmera indistincta*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is the Brown Honeyeater endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Brown Honeyeater is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2487341), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Brown Honeyeater is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/2487341)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2487341&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/12526)
4. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichmera%20indistincta)
5. [BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards](https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Lichmera-indistincta)
6. [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352)
7. [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt)
8. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Helmeted Friarbird](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/philemon-buceroides/)
- [Hair-crested Drongo](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/dicrurus-hottentottus/)
- [Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hemipus-hirundinaceus/)
- [Ashy Drongo](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/dicrurus-leucophaeus/)
- [Barn Swallow](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hirundo-rustica/)
- [White-bellied Sea Eagle](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/haliaeetus-leucogaster/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Brown Honeyeater. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/lichmera-indistincta/