[3] The generic name Plectorhyncha is derived from the Ancient Greek plēktron 'spear-point' and rhynkhos 'bill' and refers to the fine-pointed bill.

These stripes are marked on the head and nape, less distinct on the rump and almost absent from the upper tail coverts.

The bill is short, with a sharp pointed appearance, dark blue-grey grading to a grey-black at the tip and around the nostrils.

Juvenile birds are slightly browner than the adults, with buff or brown edges to the feathers of the wings and back.

[9] Small irruptions associated with weather patterns and habitat changes have been recorded in areas outside its usual range, including the Grampians and the Adelaide Plains.

[2] On the coast, the striped honeyeater is found in swamp forests of paperbark and Casuarina,[10] and in developed areas containing native and exotic trees and shrubs such as caravan parks, reserves, gardens, and farms and orchards.

It engages in a high level of social activity, including perching closely and allopreening, and when feeding in groups chasing, calling and scolding.

[2] While the striped honeyeater aggressively defends its nest by dive-bombing people and animals who come too close,[6] and has been observed singing from display perches, it is not known to be territorial.

[11] The striped honeyeater breeds throughout its distribution range, usually as simple pairs, with both sexes building the nest, incubating and feeding the young.

The nest site is usually in the drooping foliage of a tall shrub or low tree, such as Casuarina, Melaleuca, Acacia, and mallee eucalypts.

The site is sometimes near to or overhanging water, and the nest is usually constructed at the end of a drooping branch, suspended from twigs or foliage.

[13] It builds a deep cup-shaped or bag-shaped nest, with thick walls and the lip of the opening turned slightly inwards.

They are a dull white, smooth and lustreless or slightly lustrous, and moderately blotched with reddish-brown marks over the whole shell, though more profusely towards and over the larger end.

[2] Because of its wide distribution and stable population, the conservation status of the striped honeyeater has been evaluated by the IUCN as being of least concern.