Has anyone else noticed Eastern Spinebills visiting gardens or bushlands more often in recent years?
Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)
1/1600, f5.6, ISO 1000
Eastern Spinebills are exquisite little honeyeaters that have extended their time in my garden and have been here permanently for a few years now. During the same period I have ‘lost’ many other species, including Scarlet and Flame Robins that used to be here every winter but this is the fourth year without them.
Eastern Spinebills feed on nectar and insects, I’ve been lucky enough to watch them catch bees. Their long, de-curved bills are ideal for taking nectar from tubular flowers which they do when perching or hovering – they are the closest Australia has to hummingbirds though at 16cm and 11g they are considerably larger than most hummingbird species.
The spinebill’s stunning colours can be seen in the image above. Males are more strongly coloured while females are slightly softer with a greyish crown. The grey underparts of the species aren’t usually visible but this bird’s feathers are wet and hanging at an unusual angle. If you look closely you can just see the tip of its brush-tipped tongue.
I enjoyed giving my presentation for the Australian Photographic Judges Association at the weekend. My talk focussed on judging nature and wildlife images, which can be a complex task as the rules are complicated and strict. One rule relates to ensuring that ‘all allowed adjustments must appear natural’ to ensure the ‘honest presentation’ of the subject. I mentioned during the presentation that there is one bird whose eyes don’t always look realistic and I’ve often wondered if judges think the colour has been manipulated – but Eastern Spinebills really do have remarkably red eyes.
Happy birding
Kim
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