Wednesday 9 October 2013

Wild Bird Wednesday 65 - Eastern Spinebill.

The Eastern Spinebill may be the closest I get to seeing a humming bird in a while.  A member of the large group of birds known as Honeyeaters, the Eastern Spinebill is not closely related to Hummers - but they are nectar sippers.

The garden of the house we stayed in at Lorne last week had a very active pair in the garden - and it times it seemed that there were more than two of these distinctive little birds darting from flower to flower.  The plants within the fenced vegetable garden seemed very popular - but they often could be seen snatching insects from fence posts.

At about 15 cm long and possessing a highly distinctive curved bill that adults are pretty hard to miss.  I hear this bird in the bushes around my house - it sounds like a squeaky wheel - but this was my first chance to get any picture of it.

Hovering Eastern Spinebill




Eastern Spinebill - with Silvereye 


For those of you missing the shoals and backwaters of taxonomy - this bird also goes by the name of Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris which refers to the birds thin bill (apparently!)

Now its over to you - click on the link below and off you go.  Don't forget to link back to WBW, to encourage any bloggers you know to join in and to visit the many and varied blogs that make up the world of WBWers!


52 comments:

  1. Wow wow wow! They're all great shots, but my favorite is the one where he's leaning sideways from the fence.

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  2. They are brilliant looking birds and well designed for what they are feeding on. Are their eyes really that red? From Findlay

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  3. they're very pretty! thanks for showing them. :)

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  4. The bird is not only beautiful, but your compositions with the flowers are so artful!

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  5. Stewart, these are wonderful pictures ... composition, clarity and the birds themselves are beautiful as are the flowers. You need to seed these to your friend with the gallery :)

    I am off and running this morning so I won't have time to peruse the other posts until this evening ... something to look forward to. Have a wonderful week Stewart.

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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  6. You got some wonderful shots Stewart!
    Great job getting a shot of it hovering. It's a very pretty bird.

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  7. Stunning photos...you couldn't pick a more beautiful spot to catch this beauty...the pink flowering tree is the perfect backdrop..these should definitely go in your professional prize-worthy portfolio.

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  8. Amazing photos - the light is wonderful - as is the composition.

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  9. This is one cool bird and your shots as always are incredible. Really nice!!:)

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  10. What incredibly BEAUTIFUL photos Stewart!!!

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  11. What a beautiful little bird Stewart... wonderful images.

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  12. A lovely serie! Great bird!

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  13. Quite an acrobat! Beautiful compositions with all those flowers Stewart!

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  14. A great series of photos. The birds look so beautiful among those flowers.

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  15. Wonderful photos of this beautiful bird. I love how it's hanging upside down in the flowers.

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  16. Beautiful images of a beautiful bird. :)

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  17. Great shots of the spinebill, I like the fence one coz it really stands out.

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  18. What wonderful captures of this beautiful little bird!

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  19. Wow they really are similar to hummingbirds aren't they? What are they size-wise in relation to hummers? 15 cm sounds tiny but I think my imagination of scale may be off.

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  20. Hi Stewart - These are fabulous shots! I've never seen one of these - prob'ly never will. Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos.

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  21. They do look like hummers with those beaks. And such pretty photos among the flowers.

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  22. Hello Stewart! What an awesome looking bird! The coloring and the beak are neat. Pretty photos with the flowers and the bird. Thanks for hosting, have a happy week!

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  23. you were able to get such wonderful photos of this beautiful little bird Stewart, they're usually pretty shy; well done!

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  24. You got some great shots! I especially like the one with the wire fence.

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  25. Great photos of the bird action. Love the fence one.

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  26. Gorgeous bird & gorgeous photos.
    Hooray for first chances!

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  27. Fantastic shots! It does look similar to hummingbirds. I love the curved bill!

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  28. Beautiful shot Stewart. I know from experience how hard the are to capture.They look splendid on the blueberry bushes!

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  29. Excellent photos of a tricky subject on a sugar high! The fence photo is my favourite - a nice blend of 'nature' meets 'man-made'.

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  30. You got some fantastic shots of this pretty little bird! I love the one where he is hanging onto the fence and reaching toward to flowers.

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  31. I love Eastern Spinebills and your pictures are excellent.

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  32. Stunning captures!
    You captured it in almost all poses.

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  33. Wow....only one word: Marvelous !!!

    Greetings

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  34. Wow! That is a really pretty and athletic bird. great colors and great shots from you. MB

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  35. Amazing photos of this little beautiful bird!!

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  36. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  37. A beautiful, cute little character. Love his touch of blue.

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  38. Stewart, wow what a great series of this beautiful bird.
    They are all great!

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  39. wat is dit een geweldig mooie serie Stewart geweldig wat staat hij er prachtig op.

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  40. That has got to be one of the most gorgeous birds I've ever seen.....Your Images ARE FABULOUS!!!
    WOW!

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  41. All are great photos, Stewart, but I love the first action shot!
    Don;t know what the little chick in my photos is, maybe you can help...

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  42. All are great photos, Stewart, but I love the first action shot!
    Don;t know what the little chick in my photos is, maybe you can help...

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  43. All are great photos, Stewart, but I love the first action shot!
    Don;t know what the little chick in my photos is, maybe you can help...

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  44. Really enjoyed these pictures Stewart. They are a rewarding bird to photograph.
    I am especially impressed with the bird captured hovering - I have not yet managed this!!


    nor hovering itself

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  45. What a fabulous bird, and outstanding photos. I love the colors, and especially the third photo down from the top in the set. Best, Babsje

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  46. What pretty birds! And you got some fabulous shots.

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  47. That's a lovely looking bird Stewart. I like the image of it hanging from the fence.

    Regarding SA if you need any pointers or trip advise let me know

    Dave

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  48. Your photos look like something out of a bird book! Amazing color combination.

    Sorry I didn't post any bird photos but I did want to share about the owl nesting box.

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  49. HI Stewart Wonderful photographs fo thos gorgeous little bird.I have seen itwhen down in NSW but never got a good shot of it. It is so acrobatic and quick in its movvements. I wonder have you seen the Sharp tailed Sandpiper?

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  50. Our new post Kaziranga National Park – Home to Rhinoceros has only one photo of a bird :(
    Else would have definitely tried for it.

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  51. Wonderful shots Stewart!!!
    Very preety bird!!!Great pictures!!!
    Dimi...

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