[3] A treatment as a western population of the species Anthochaera chrysoptera, and thus conspecific with the 'little wattlebird' group of the eastern states, is cited by some authorities.

Both species are assigned to the subgenus Anthochaera (Anellobia), taking its name from the generic description of Jean Cabanis (1851).

[5] The taxonomy enthusiast, G. M. Mathews, published a description as the subspecies Anthochaera chrysoptera albani in his Austral Avian Record (1923),[6] now regarded as a synonym for this species.

A sample of both sexes recorded sizes of 29–33 centimetres in length, 65–78 grams in weight for the males; and 27–30 cm and 47–57 g for the females.

They occur toward the coast from Israelite Bay north to Geraldton, and inland to the Stirling Range, Lake Grace and Northam.