First described as Ptilotis keartlandi in 1895 by Australian ornithologist Alfred John North, the grey-headed honeyeater is named in honour of the ornithological collector George Arthur Keartland, who collected the type specimen.

[5] Most recently, the grey-headed honeyeater has been placed in the genus Ptilotula, which contains five other Australian species[6] that all share characteristically plain faces, subtended by a black proximal and yellow or white distal plume across the side of the neck.

[10] Adults have a distinctive grey crown above a black facial mask with the nape and remaining upper body parts coloured dark fawn-grey.

[13] The grey-headed honeyeater mostly frequents Eucalyptus scrub and woodlands in stony hill country and timbered gullies within ranges; however, it can be observed on sand-plains, when vegetation is flowering.

[10] The species has also been recorded in mulga and mallee woodlands, riverine areas dominated by River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), and occasionally in Mitchell grasslands.

[10] For example, one individual was recorded in East Point, Darwin, 270 kilometres north of its previously documented range, following major Eucalyptus flowering events.

[10] Like many honeyeaters, the species will also consume nectar from flowering trees, particularly hakeas, eucalypts, grevilleas,[11] mallee,[15] and it has been known to take occasional fruit.

[11] Intraspecific and interspecific[14] aggression and agonistic behaviour, including territorial calls, bill-snapping, chasing, and fighting have been recorded during feeding and possibly breeding.

[11] The nest is a small, open, compact, cup-shaped structure made from dried plant stems, grass and bark bound by spider webs.

[11] Clutch size is thought to be two eggs variously described as oval, lengthened, rounded, glossy, lustreless, white, pink, sometimes unmarked or with light brown or purple spots.

[16] However, the Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Australian Birds lists general measures which may inadvertently benefit the species.

[17] Additionally, the range of the grey-headed honeyeater overlaps several Australian Wildlife Conservancy refuges, notably Newhaven, Bowra and Pungalina, and several National Parks.