Little Wattlebirds are the smallest wattlebirds but at about 28cm and 62g they are significantly larger than the tiny bush birds I usually photograph.
1/1000, f/6.4, ISO 400
Canon 5D3, Canon 100-400mm IS US II
I find their markings quite fascinating with the white feather shafts giving them a streaky look.
They feed mainly on nectar from flowers like this callistemon, bottlebrush, using their special brush-tipped tongues. They will also take insects, flowers and seeds. They can be found in Tasmania, south western Western Australia, and south eastern Australia from South Australia to Queensland.
Red Wattlebirds live in my garden but despite seeing about 130 species here I’m yet to see a Little Wattlebird pop in for a visit, probably because they prefer drier habitats than the little patch of Swamp Scrub that I call home.
Happy birding from home, Kim
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
Love the clarity of the bird as not able to see the detail as they fit around. We have only had them in our garden for a few years. Had to go to the coast to see them.
Hopefully I’ll see one pop into my place at some point. I used to see them often at uni in Lilydale. You’ve picked on one of my very favourite things about bird photography Togram, I love being able to see (and share) beautiful details of birds that we wouldn’t usually see, thank you
Dear Kim, As I only live around the corner from you, I am intrigued that you have recorded 130 species and I only 62 on one third of an acre. Your bird list would be interesting.And I have Little and Red Wattlebirds on my property. Thanks Arthur.
Hi Arthur, have we met? I’ve been wondering whether I pass your place when I walk the dogs. Recording 62 species on your third of an acre is fantastic. I’m on a small acreage, Land for Wildlife property, edged by the creek and with some remnant bushland (a beaut variety of habitat). I’ve been recording birds here since the early 90s, including extensive recording for the New Atlas of Australian Birds. Some raptor species stopped visiting once houses were built on the other side of the creek and I haven’t seen swamphens or rails nesting here for a long time. I’ve recorded three new species this year, Satin Bowebird, Cattle Egret and Australian Shelduck. One of the most unusual visitors was a Fluttering or Huttons Shearwater that collapsed here. Because of the corridor along the creek to the retarding basin, the reserve and the hills I’m lucky to get a variety of smaller birds, including the Crested Shrike-tit and Varied Sittella. It’s interesting that you have Little Wattlebirds and I haven’t seen them here yet. Happy birding, Kim
HI Kim
Another great photo. Here on Phillip Island Little Wattlebirds have always been present in our garden, and very noisy!. Reds have only started to appear occasionally in the past few years.
Thank you Jenny. That’s interesting about the Reds arriving on the island more recently. Hopefully I’ll be able to get down there again before too long, I’ve missed seeing the goslings this year.
We also get the Red Wattlebirds. Noisy, aggressive – and charming. At the moment they are reveling in our camellias, shrieking at anything (which includes me) which comes too close to their chosen bloom. They are early risers too and I often hear their asthmatic cough well before first light. The Little Wattlebirds are not one I have seen here and another that I need to keep a look out for. Thanks Kim.
I’ve just checked whether Little Wattlebirds live in your neck of the woods and it appears that they do, so I hope you see some soon too. I love your hilarious description of the ‘Niknak’ birds’ asthmatic morning cough. My youngest daughter sings a song about the Red Wattlebirds’ morning racket (she calls them the ‘Niknak’ bird) that makes her 2 year old squeal with laughter.
What a fabulous photo! I love the colour of the flowers and the contrast with the bird which is striking in its own right.
The colours look quite Christmassy now you mention it Bridget, I’m glad you like the photograph 🙂