Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Listen, Mistletoebirds glisten

Lots of noise from Mistletoebirds (Dicaeum hirundinaceum) in Tyto these days, but seldom any birds sitting close to the ground. 


Came upon this one yesterday while riding around the main lagoon. Bird kept moving so no chance to get off bike and take steadier pictures. But at least they show glistening colours of adult male.  


Female Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris) gets set for bit of green breakfast. Bird took insect from upper foliage, lost it twice and finally snatched it up out of grass and leaf litter.


And here's a Rufous-throated Honeyeater (Conopophila rufogularis) looking for an evening morsel in overcast gloom.


Picture taken in area usually parched at this time of year. But La Nina is taking hold. Latest rains have pushed main lagoon to capacity. If reed bed shallows do not dry out wader counts will be low this 'dry' season. And fewer water birds will gather on Tyto lagoons, given plenty of water everywhere in the area.
Click pix to enlarge   

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4 comments:

  1. Denis WilsonSeptember 22, 2010 at 2:17 PM

    Hi Tony
    You are being modest about your Mistletoe Bird photos. They're great.
    Nice shot of Whistler having lunch.
    Denis

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tyto TonySeptember 22, 2010 at 7:48 PM

    Hi Denis: Ta, but I'm only too seldom guilty of being too modest :-(

    ReplyDelete
  3. mickSeptember 23, 2010 at 2:25 PM

    Great photos of the Mistletoe bird - which I find extremely difficult to photograph.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tyto TonySeptember 23, 2010 at 5:42 PM

    Me too, Mick. Largely luck having any low to ground.

    Thanks KN.

    ReplyDelete

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