Red Wattlebirds are large, assertive honeyeaters that are pretty ubiquitous at my place during their breeding season. For some reason the wattlebirds in the Mallee seemed more exotic, maybe it’s the beautiful background colours…
Red Wattlebirds are the largest mainland Australian honeyeater, only the Yellow Wattlebird, from Tasmania, is larger. Both birds are named for the peculiar wattles that dangle from their faces. The texture of these wattles is quite fascinating, as are the species’ brush-tipped tongues and red eyes.
Being such a large honeyeater it’s often tricky to get a half decent photograph of the entire bird; at least this shot shows the bright yellow patch on its underparts.
It’s been a difficult week as my 15 and a half year old Golden Retriever is no longer by my side. I have been looking through photographs of her and thought I’d share a happy one with my lirralirra family.
2008-2023
It is gone midnight so please forgive the lack of photography settings and general information.
Happy birding and pet-patting, Kim
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