New Holland Honeyeaters are a smart little bird about 18 cm long. I tend to associate them with places close to the coast, but in reality they can be found further inland. That being said, their distribution does hug the south coast of the country.
Unless you happen to live in the Australian region - i.e. Australia, NZ, New Guinea or a few small Pacific Islands (specific Pacifics I suppose!) you will not see many Honeyeaters as they are restricted to this area.
They don't really eat honey, but do eat nectar and other sweet fluids produced by plants. Because this diet is very low in protein, many of the Honeyeaters will also eat insect.
So, enough of this - I give you Phyidonyris novaehollandiae - the New Holland Honeyeater.
Now its your turn - and once more, I would invite you to tell fellow bloggers you know who may be interested in such things about the wonder that is WBW! So, off you go!
Oh, what a beautiful bird!! And, of course, I've never seen one like it!! Your captures are terrific!! Thanks as always for sharing!! Hope your week is going well!!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a sweet birds!!
ReplyDeletegorgeous bird
ReplyDeletecongrats for the catch
Very beautiful and colorful bird.
ReplyDeletewow, you really got some great images of this beautiful bird. Congrats to the sighting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting.
Gorgeous....I can see why you wanted photos!!! This is a marvelous species!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a very handsome bird - looks especially good posed on those flowers!
ReplyDeleteWhat a striking bird! That's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning bird. You'd never get tired of looking at one of those.
ReplyDeleteOh *GASP* Stewart. I'd think I'd died and gone to heaven if I saw such a beautiful bird. As I won't see one in real life, thanks for sharing with us. Have a great day. Jo
ReplyDeleteOh *GASP* Stewart. I'd think I'd died and gone to heaven if I saw such a beautiful bird. As I won't see one in real life, thanks for sharing with us. Have a great day. Jo
ReplyDeleteThat are really smart bird, great photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty bird. I love the dash of yellow on his back.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say that it was well worth the wait to capture these exquisite shots of yet another exquisite bird. I am beginning to feel like I have settled in the wrong place because, honestly, our birds are boring compared to yours and we certainly don't have the variety you have. I know there are other parts of the country that would take exception to that, but I think I could speak for the people in the midwest ... Australia has to be Birder's heaven!
ReplyDeleteI did peruse your FaceBook pages at your suggestion and found that birds are not your only favorite subject ... i.e. an adorable furbaby and a beautiful family. Your wife and children are gorgeous. I love the red hair and the generous smiles of all of them. You are indeed blessed, Stewart as are they with you. My father was an educator and researcher at the State University so I have a high respect for what you have devoted your life to. You seem to have the gift for making good choices. Melbourne is still on my bucket list so maybe I will be able to say all of this in person some day:)
Andrea @ From the Sol
It's exquisite Stewart, a truely beautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteThis is a way cool bird! Wicked colors and look. I know what you mean....some of the common birds can be the trickiest.
ReplyDeletesharp-eyed and sharp looking bird! great shots, stewart!
ReplyDeleteIt's a really beautiful bird, Stewart! Glad you finally got some shots of it...the photos are wonderful! I know what you mean about posting not being mandatory but I always feel so guilty when I have to be away from the blogs for a bit! :-)
ReplyDeleteAnother great set of shots! (even if they aren't from behind!)
ReplyDeleteAnother reason I need to visit Australia!
What a pretty bird!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, Stewart. The similar bird that I see up here is the White-cheeked Honeyeater. Glad I don't have to tell them apart in real time!
ReplyDeleteAbsolument magnifique
ReplyDeletecet oiseau est superbe, les photos magiques.
That's a stunning bird Stewart. Spot-on pictures too which make the bird look in 3D.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of a bird that I haven't ever seen either.
ReplyDeleteStewart, another exquisite capture of a new bird for me. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMagnificent pictures of a very beautiful bird. Its markings reminded me of both a black and white warbler and a yellow-rumped warbler. We have no members of that family in the US.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bird and great photos. A new bird for me. When I visited Ozz I was not blogging so I am sure I missed so many things!! Diane
ReplyDeleteI remember this bird well from my visit to Australia in 1999. Those were the days of film and it was expensive to buy the film and then have it developed so one was careful with the number of pictures taken. Net result - I have no pictures of this species! Great to enjoy yours, however.
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning bird the Phyidonyris novaehollandiae aka New Holland Honeyeater is! You've captured its beauty perfectly in your brilliant pictures!
ReplyDeleteWhat a striking bird Stewart! That bill is perfectly adapted for the bird's diet.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable little bird..Love it's coloring..Wonderful shots , Stewart.!!
ReplyDeleteStewart, this is such a handsome looking bird...a species I never heard of...and the facts you've relayed are yet another learning for me...although I would never attempt to pronounce it's name!!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteA dapper fellow! I would settle right now for any bird at all. Must get out into nature soon.
ReplyDeleteWell, on behalf of all visitors to Wild Bird Wednesday - thank you for your patience, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant photographs of a really gorgeous bird! Good show!
Hope you're ready for another weekend - it's almost here already.
All the best - Wally
What a striking bird, with its bold black and white plumage with a dash of yellow. That beak does look like it was made for nectar. So glad you persevered and were rewarded with some really nice shots to share. Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteI love the last two shots with it balancing on the flower. As you know I am not a birder but I do like trying to improve my bird photography. I took a shot of a bird in the Botanic Gardens in Canberra and had no idea what it was until I saw this post. Thank you now I can put a name to the photo.
ReplyDeleteThose last two shots are real stunners Stewart.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bird! Great photos Stewart!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous shots of the NE Honeyeater! I've only ever photographed one and it was quite a distance away. You have done brilliantly with these shots!
ReplyDelete