These are only found in Australia and live in the wetter parts along the east coast, from northern Queensland to central Victoria. They are found in rainforest, wet eucalypt forest and littoral rainforest (coastal scrub), they are quite common here, their strong, staccato call revealing their presence.
They feed in the upper branches and on the trunks of trees, eating mostly nectar, small fruits and berries but also eat insects, some of which are caught in flight. The tip of their tongue is divided into four sections which resemble a feathery 'paintbrush' allowing the bird to lap up large quantities of nectar at a time, birds are normally seen alone or in pairs but may form loose groups of up to 10 birds.
The sexes are similar in appearance and breed from September to January, the nest is a large cup of vegetation and other materials bound together with spider web and lined with soft material. The eggs are incubated for about 14 days and the young birds leave the nest after a further 14 days. It is unclear what roles each parent performs in nest building and incubation, but both care for the young birds.