So no trouble seeing that a Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta) spends more time chasing nectar with its more delicate bill and tongue.
Brown-backed Honeyeater (Ramsayornis modestus) - in typical quizzical pose - will, with others of the species, take over flowering paperbarks and drive other honeyeaters away, but more usually enjoys a general diet.
12 comments:
I prefer honey rather than insects myself and having eaten a few witchetty grubs in my day I can say that with conviction.
Enjoyed the pics!
No insects, no honey. Kiwis like to boast of eating huhu (like witchetty.) As a vegetarian I'm above hairy chested survival stuff.
We have noticed that large numbers of BB Honeyeaters have indeed taken over much of our paperbark swamp. Paperbarks are not flowering now but BBs are foraging for insects and also starting to nest.
Hi Barbara: If Tyto pattern holds true, the BBs will dominate and next thing you know there'll be almost none to see for months.
Hi Tony
Lovely quality photos, esp of the Brown HE.
Tongue protruding and the feathers are visible in clear detail.
Well done.
I have two small Melaleucas Paperbarks) flowering (see my blog - 9.12.09). But they are only attracting Beetles.
Cheers
Denis
I'll check paperbarks for beetles, but can't recall seeing blossoms up here covered in them.
Great set of photos...I love pictures of birds eating! :)
Great set of photos...I love pictures of birds eating! :)
G'day Tony,
Interesting set. I've always believed that 'honeyeaters' would need to get some protein from somewhere. An all nectar diet wouldn't be too good for cell building surely?
Gouldiae.
Sharp photos Tony. Whenever I see your pics I feel guilty re my own amateur efforts!
Sharp photos Tony. Whenever I see your pics I feel guilty re my own amateur efforts!
Hi JN: Thanks. I see you've got some great feeding pix on your site.
Hi Gouldiae: Seems to make sense. But then what about hummingbirds? Hard to see them taking in much protein as bycatch.
Hi Russell: Too kind. You don't see the 99.9% that bites the dust.
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