The Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris) is a small honeyeater that can be found in the south eastern area of Australia. It's actually one of the birds I get passing through my garden on a regular basis. Their small size and high speed movement make them hard to photograph unless they keep returning to the same flowers to feed.
This male bird was feeding on some flowers at Blackburn Lake a month or more ago (maybe a year, maybe a decade - its getting hard to tell!) so I was able to wait for it to return. Shame that the flowers were in rather deep shade.
The down curved bill and chest patch of this species is a bit of a give away as to their identity when you see them, as there is really no other bird in the region that sports this combination. They can also hover in front of the flowers on which they are feeding, which also makes them pretty distinctive.
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Stay Safe. SM
This male bird was feeding on some flowers at Blackburn Lake a month or more ago (maybe a year, maybe a decade - its getting hard to tell!) so I was able to wait for it to return. Shame that the flowers were in rather deep shade.
The down curved bill and chest patch of this species is a bit of a give away as to their identity when you see them, as there is really no other bird in the region that sports this combination. They can also hover in front of the flowers on which they are feeding, which also makes them pretty distinctive.
As ever you can join in with WBW by clicking on the link below - and also as ever, please feel free to share WBW with other bloggers.
Stay Safe. SM
One of my favourite birds; beautiful, confiding and ubiquitous.
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteVery nice wee bird, wonderfully captured as ever, Stewart. Hope you and family are safe, at least. 2020 cannot get behind us quick enough, eh? YAM xx
Very cute indeed.
ReplyDeleteA few weeks ago I saw the "Honey Buzzard" in Finland. Awesome!
I will post it someday...
All the best!
Handsomely marked bird! It sounds as if they have some hummingbird-like qualities.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty bird and clever too. Not to many can hover that way.
ReplyDeleteThis is one thing I really miss here in France we have no hummingbirds, sunbirds or honeyeaters. These are fabulous photos of a very pretty bird. Well done for getting these great shots.
ReplyDeleteHope that all is well and things are on the mend in your part of the world. Stay safe and have a good week. Diane
Hi Stewart, beautiful photos of this Eastern Spinebill. (Bijeneter in Dutch). Greetings Caroline
ReplyDeleteThat is a very nice addition to make up for your lack of hummingbirds! I agree with you about our now-distorted time sense. I cannot believe that we have already been cooped up for six months. As a high-risk target for COVID-19 I do not see any end in sight.
ReplyDeleteLove its colors..Beautiful pictures..Frameable..ENjoy the rest of your week
ReplyDeletePS..This picture would make a lovely Christmas card..
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird! Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteHello steward
ReplyDeletenot so easy to catch the bird through the branches
done great
nice report
Greetings Frank
Great shots of a quick little bird! I did have them just outside my window during the first lockdown, but they've disappeared now : (
ReplyDeleteCudowny ptak! Dla mnie to jest egzotyka, bo w Europie takie nie latają. Pozdrawiam z Polski!
ReplyDelete