The male and female look alike. They look very similar to the White-naped Honeyeater. Both having the bright white crescent around the nape.

The upper parts are olive - yellow and the underparts white. They eyes are red.

They are usually in pairs and live in Eucalypt woodlands and forests, paperbark swamps, sometimes mangroves and parks and gardens. They feed on insects, manna, honeydew and nectar.