[2] The bird lives in a wide range of shrubland, woodland, and coastal habitat.

[4][5] The generic name is formed from an anagram of the sister genus Caligavis; the specific epithet is the Latin virescens meaning 'greenish'.

There is a broad, black stripe running from the behind the beak to the back, and a yellow streak immediately below this from the eye.

The singing honeyeater has close relatives that have a similar general appearance, or some details in common, with overlapping ranges and similar voices, so a bird identification guide with clear visuals may be essential to attain the correct identity.

Singing honeyeaters eat a variety of foods, including nectar, small insects, fruits, grubs, and berries.

Baker (1996) showed, the birds of the mainland did not respond to the songs of singing honeyeaters found on an island off Australia's west coast.