Common, resident: Open forest and woodlands, heathland, riparian forests and gardens throughout the region. Forming flocks in April and May when many move north and west away from the coast. This species is a common host for the parasitic Common Koel.

Moderately common, resident: Most numerous along coastal dune woodlands, adjacent urban areas and in elevated heathlands. Some movement west to forests and woodlands beyond the escarpment in summer. Singly or pairs and forms small flocks in autumn and winter.

Accidental: Only record is of a bird frequenting an urban garden at Primbee during October 1986. Usually found well west of the Great Dividing Range

Moderately common, nomadic: Pairs to small flocks in dry sclerophyll and coastal forests, most numerous in areas south of Kiama and west of the Illawarra escarpment. In summer this species favours areas of flowering eucalypts, especially along the Shoalhaven and Wollondilly valleys. In winter, numbers move into the coastal dune woodlands frequenting flowering banksias and rural areas that contain the introduced Coral Tree. Nesting recorded at Wilton, October 1975.

Scarce, nomadic: Dry sclerophyll forests and coastal dune woodlands. A few at Mittagong in 1960; several coastal records including breeding in the summer of 1968/69 in the Kiama, Jamberoo and Dapto areas; few at Cordeaux Dam, January 1983; single bird observed Bellambi, July 1983; Primbee, April 1984; Barren Grounds NR, September 1988; and about 10 birds at Port Kembla Golf Course, Primbee, August 1994. 

Rare, nomadic: Open forests and woodland south of Kiama and west of the Illawarra escarpment. Flocks of up to 15 sighted along the Wollondilly River where nesting has been regularly recorded between Goodmans Ford and Warragamba Dam. Early records from the Cordeaux area and Wilton, November 1954; up to 60 recorded from Cambewarra in 1930s. Two birds observed at Berry, November 1980. Single birds observed at Upper Kangaroo River and Bents Basin, January 1981; Goodmans Ford, November 1981; Canyonleigh, October 1986; Nowra, November 1988; Nerriga, March 1989; Sussex Inlet, January 1989; Nattai SRA, November 1989; Seven Mile Beach in flowering eucalypt, November 1993 and January 1995; 8, Lake Conjola, September-December 1994; Corrimal, December 1995; Warilla, March 1996; 2 Picton, October 1996; 1 at Shoalhaven Heads, November 1996. Populations declining due to habitat clearing.

Moderately common, resident: Colonies in sclerophyll forests, especially along riparian corridors. Recorded from the Shoalhaven River below Tallong to Tallowa Dam; Wollondilly River, from Goodmans Ford to Burragorang Lookout; many locations along the Nattai, Little, Nepean and Cataract Rivers and their major tributaries. A coastal colony at Wongawilli existed up to about 1920. This species appears to be increasing with many new colonies developing since 1980 throughout the northern half of the region. In February 2002, a new colony was discovered on the coast at Avondale.

Moderately common, resident: Loose colonies in open forest, woodland, partly cleared agricultural and grazing land. Avoids heathland, moist sclerophyll forests and rainforests. Absent from several coastal areas.

Common, resident: Singly or pairs in rainforest, moist sclerophyll forests, littoral forests and urban gardens, the latter especially in winter months. Generally avoids drier open forest, though the species is well distributed throughout the western parts of the region along well vegetated riparian corridors. 

Common, summer breeding nomad Pairs or small to large flocks in forested country generally, especially creekside eucalypts, coastal and elevated heaths in autumn and winter. Although there is a clear influx during summer, this species is present throughout the year. Passage migration observed from the south in April to May using both inland and coastal flyways and occasionally from the north in August to September.

Moderately common, resident: Singly or pairs in dry sclerophyll scrub of the shale and sandstone areas, heathy woodlands, stony ridges, rarely on the coastal lowlands, though it does approach Nowra along Bomaderry Creek and Flat Rock Creek.

Moderately common, resident: In colonies of 10-40 individuals, usually on or near vegetated watercourses with exfoliated sandstone scarps or outcrops. Principally found along the Nepean and Shoalhaven Rivers and their major tributaries, in habitat with medium to tall eucalypt forest and a tall shrub layer.

Uncommon, nomadic: Singly or in small flocks in open forest of the shale country, especially where ironbarks are present. Mostly in the west of the region north of the Shoalhaven River and in coastal forests south of the Shoalhaven River. Occasionally found in flocks of other Lichenostomus honeyeaters along the coastal forest. Nesting recorded at Wilton in August.

Uncommon, resident: Pairs to small flocks in forest country along the Wollondilly and lower Shoalhaven Rivers, and Currumbene Creek. Other coastal records from Thirroul, March 1956 and regular observations from Corrimal, North Wollongong, Springhill Road (Coniston) since 1970s. Established at Kemblawarra from 1993, and recent records from Dapto along central Mullet Creek in 1998.

Rare, possible resident?: Pairs or small flocks in open forest of the shale country with nesting near Wilton, October 1954 and observed near Murphy’s Flat, along Burragorang Valley in November 1991.

Uncommon, resident: Pairs to small flocks in open dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands throughout the west of the region with occasional winter records from coastal heaths and banksias.

Moderately common, nomadic: Pairs to small flocks in all types of forest, though it prefers taller forested environments along the escarpment and gorges of the major watercourses. Migrates at the same time as Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, but in smaller flocks.

Accidental: Mangroves, woodlands, parks and gardens.Local records are at southern limit of distribution; recorded at Thirroul in suburban gardens, October 1959 and October 1965; Bulli Pass, December 1998.

Uncommon, resident: Pairs or small groups in moist sclerophyll forests, elevated heathlands and banksias in the upper gullies of Kangaroo Valley, Jamberoo and the water catchment reservoirs. East of the escarpment, it is primarily restricted to escarpment forests and adjacent gardens in winter, especially north of Lake Illawarra. South of the Shoalhaven River, it is regularly found in moister parts of Booderee NP.

Common, resident: Pairs or small to medium sized flocks in heathland, sandstone and coastal dune forest favouring banksias and melaleucas, urban parks and gardens. Nesting recorded most months

Scarce, resident: Pairs or small flocks in heathland, sandstone and coastal dune forest favouring banksias and melaleucas, though rarely observed beyond the coast and nearby elevated heathlands. Small resident populations at Barren Grounds NR, Thirlmere Lakes NP, Maddens Plains and Thirroul. Colonies further south around Booderee National Park, Hyams Beach, the upper reaches of Tomerong Creek, lower Currumbene Creek and Little Forest Plateau. An unprecedented eruption of this species occurred in 1980, when flocks in excess of 200 individuals invaded Nowra, Berry and Kangaroo Valley for several weeks. May be more widespread than current records indicate.

Locally common to uncommon, resident: Pairs and small groups confined to heathlands with few trees on the Budderoo Plateau, upper Wandandian Creek, and near Kangaroo Hill. Large number in lowland heath on Beecroft Peninsular and moderate numbers in and around Booderee NP. Lone bird at Blackbutt Forest, Shellharbour, in 1997. Small, apparently isolated population at Maddens Plains.

Common, resident: Singly to small flocks in all types of vegetated environments where a suitable shrub layer occurs, heathlands, parks and urban gardens throughout the region.

Uncommon, nomadic: Pairs to small flocks visit eucalypt forest and introduced Coral Trees when in blossom. Also irregular in sandstone heaths and coastal dune forests. Larger flocks, >20, have been observed at Nattai River, Joadja, Bullio, Little Forest Plateau, Shoalhaven Heads, Comerong Island, Bass Point and, Shellharbour. Occasionally visits urban gardens throughout the region. Breeding recorded near Wollongong in 1950. Can occur at any time of year, with regular influxes in both winter and summer.