Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters are such noisy, unique looking characters that I often think of them as Cheeky-spined Honeyeaters.
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis)
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 800, focal length 560mm
Canon 5DsR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM EXT
I’ve seen these birds in all kinds of places around the country, generally in dry, inland areas but also at Phillip Island. They are such distinctive birds, absolutely unmistakable for anything else with their bright pink bills dipped in dark grey-blue, and their bright blue eyes. They get their name from their spiny white cheek stripes. The warm buff of their breast blends into boldly striped underparts. They are superb.
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis)
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 800, focal length 560mm
Canon 5DsR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM EXT
In the close-up shot, above, the bright pink, bare skin can be seen extending from the gape to beneath the eye. There’s also a rim of mustard yellow around the eye. They are medium-sized honeyeaters, about 24cm and 52g.
They eat a wide range of foods including nectar and insects, fruit, seeds, small lizards and even eggs and nestlings. It’s surprising how many birds eat birds.
Happy birding
Kim
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How interesting, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these! Great pics and interesting info. The cannibalism is an odd feature!
Oh, my apologies Alyssa, I’ve only just seen your comment. Hopefully you’ll get to see one soon, they are remarkable looking birds 🙂
I just love the second photo, you can really ‘see’ the bird so clearly and what a spectacular looking bird it is! At first glance they’re a ‘brown bird’ but seeing that photo, they are an amazing blend of colours. Thank you.
Thanks Donna! I think you’ve perfectly expressed one of the things I love most about bird photography 🙂
Complete charmers.
Thank you.
I am intrigued on the song front raised in Mal’s comment too.
I’ve noticed birds having a different ‘accent’ in different places. Maybe studies are underway somewhere. The research being done on birds calling while still in the egg is fascinating.
Hi Kim
I have found the population on the Mornington Peninsula have a different song to those inland. But they disappear during the winter. I’ve always wondered, do they take their song with them or leave it on the Peninsula ?
That’s really interesting Mal. There’s some research there waiting to be done. They have the widest range of calls I can think of, along with plenty of indescribable sounds.