This weeks bird is an Eastern Spinebill. This is another honey-eater type of bird, but with its fine curved bill and distinctive chest pattern, it's pretty much unmistakable as an adult bird. Although classed as a common bird I still enjoy watching them a great deal - in some ways I think that they are the closest we have in Australia to Hummingbirds.
These birds are about 16 cm long and have a call that reminds me of a rapidly spinning wheel that needs some oil! - a series of very rapid squeaks! I number of years ago I was lucky enough to band a couple of these birds, and they look even better in the hand than in the bush.
I was glad a got an image of the bird in hovering to feed, as that is when they are at their most hummingbird like!
Now, its over to you - click the blue button and off you go.
Today is the first day of a 10 day adventure for me - I will be pretty well off the grid, so I may not be able to reply to comments for a while. WBW will appear next week courtesy of the 'schedule' feature - and then I will catch up when I get back. Cheers SM
Well done. Great post!
ReplyDeletebeautiful bird and beautiful flowers. A perfect combination for a photographer :)
ReplyDeleteHI Stewart, what a beautiful bird. Wonderful collection of photos. Thanks for hosting WBW! Enjoy your week ahead!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! I love their beaks and the background is very nice!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great looking bird. I bet those blue flowers attract a lot of insects as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree that they have a hummingbird-like quality and that is evident in your pictures! These are handsome birds and those flowers once again make a fantastic stage for your birds to show off for the camera!
ReplyDeleteBoth the birds and the flowers are very pretty.
ReplyDeleteAt first I only saw the blue flowers and thought you had reloaded last Wednesday's post! The spinebill is certainly graceful and beautiful. What a nice setting for those action shots!
ReplyDeleteYou stole my thunder Stewart. I was about to comment that this species must be a relative of hummingbirds. Distant or close, it surely is?
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty bird and perfect on that blue flower! It does hover very much like a hummingbird. (And the fact that you don't have hummingbirds has always been the only reason I am not completely jealous of your wonderful birding opportunities ... but I see now you have a pretty good facsimile; so I guess now I am completely envious!)
ReplyDeletevery pretty bird and great shots!
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ReplyDeleteFabulous photos Stewart, of the bird and the flowers.
Nice pics of the bird, especially the ones you got of him in flight.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous fascinating bird! Loved your beautiful photos. It's such a treat to get to see them. Sort've a hummingbird....for Australia. :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird and plant as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful bird. And I love those flowers, too! Enjoy your time away, see you when you return--hopefully, with lots of bird pictures!
ReplyDeleteThey are very beautiful birds, and the flowers are lovely too. I thoroughly enjoyed your photos. If sitting on a balcony could help me catch photos like these, I might consider building one. ;)
ReplyDeleteWonderful images, Stewart! So similar (yet different) to our sunbirds. I love the flowers it's enjoying. Brilliant photography as usual! Thanks for hosting. I'm back from a long week of hospital support (my DH!) and now back to blogging, thank goodness. Greetings, Jo (South Africa)
ReplyDeleteLovely shots of the spinebill. They are one of my favourite garden visitors and once busy collecting nectar, they don't seem to worry abou the camera.
ReplyDeleteThis hummingbird resembles is just too cute, Stewart!! With that long spikey beak and their ability to hover, they would be a joy to have...:)JP
ReplyDeleteStewart, a new bird for me. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo aptly named....and BEAUTIFUL
ReplyDeleteCommon? who decides that these birds, or any bird is common? I guess they refer to the frequency they are seen? Regardless, I've never found any bird to be "common" - great captures, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots, Stewart..Looks very similar to a Hummingbird..The sound you described seems similar as well..They would be very entertaining..No birds to share this week..
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos well done. Diane
ReplyDeletehandsome critter
ReplyDeleteWow, what a handsome bird, Stewart! And terrific photographs! I see why you liken it to a hummingbird. Thanks for sharing a new species (for me).
ReplyDeleteAll the best on your 10-day adventure! See you when you return.
You keep doing it!!! You keep taking my breath away!!!! However, don't stop!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of beautiful birds. That's another bird I would love to see.
ReplyDeleteStunning photos, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bird. I love it when you capture the movement in your pictures. You are just so knowledgeable and talented.
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart I can now tell you the flower is the Echium flower. Gorgeous images of this bird. Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bird! Your shots are so amazing. I just love your photography so much. I feel that I can learn a lot from your photos :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you are having an amazing week!
Best wishes from Germany,
Beate
Beautiful Eastern Spinebill picture series. Love them all
ReplyDeleteWow - gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent Bird! I see these gorgeous birds at work,and saw them in the Jacaranda flowers yesterday, but as soon as I get the camera out, they are off! Your photos are just gorgeous Stewart.
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