It is similar in behaviour and appearance to the white-eared honeyeater and is endemic to Australia's island state of Tasmania.

[2] The species was originally described by French ornithologist Louis Pierre Vieillot in 1817,[1] who placed it in the genus Melithreptus.

[3][4] It is a sister taxon to the white-eared honeyeater (N. leucotis), which occurs on mainland Australia but not in Tasmania, and they belong to a clade that contains the genera Entomyzon, Melithreptus and Foulehaio.

The yellow-throated honeyeater is common and widespread on the mainland of Tasmania, King Island and the Furneaux Group.

The yellow-throated honeyeater feeds mainly on arthropods,[6] also taking some nectar,[2] and occasionally fruit or seeds.

[2] The nest is often within 1 m of the ground in a low bush or tussock, but may occasionally be found at up to 10 m (33 ft) in foliage.

It is constructed by the female from grass, bark-shreds, leaves and spiders' web and lined with treefern fibres, wool, and fur.

[5] This species is known for collecting hair for the nest from live animals, such as horses, dogs, and humans.