With its drab, dun-coloured plumage, the Brown Honeyeater is virtually devoid of distinguishing markings. It is widespread in northern Australia as well as parts of the eastern and western regions, where it inhabits a range of wooded habitats. Although usually near wetlands, Brown Honeyeaters may occur far from the nearest water. It gives a loud, melodious song, rendered as sweet-sweet-quarty-quarty, which is similar to that of the Australian Reed-Warbler — it has been suggested that Brown Honeyeaters are underreported because of confusion between the songs of the two species.
