There is a Winter breeding season about to take place for the Australian Eastern Spinebill. Songbirds from the honeyeater family can have two main breeding seasons of the year. Nesting is different because of the foliage of the seasons.
Here are four reasons I love these birds:
- Their eyes are blood red
- Their beaks are the longest of the honeyeaters relative to the size of their head
- They are one of the smallest honeyeaters in Australia
- They are gregarious, inquisitive and often playful, which is why you can see them in suburban backyards.
The Australian Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris) is a variety of honeyeater located in South Eastern Australia in timberland and woodland areas, in addition to backyards in urban locations of Sydney and Melbourne . It is approximately 15 cm in length, has an identifiable white, black and chestnut plumage, Blood red eyes, and a long down-curved bill.
I’ve always loved the Eastern Spinebill’s song. it’s a bell-like rhythmic melody. This male perched keeping an eye on me for a couple of minutes whilst his mate tended the nest. I wasn’t a threat and was able to get this great shot of him.
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