The fairy-wren, the honeyeater and the finch

We have just enjoyed a long weekend of winter sunshine in Victoria.

I didn't do any birding at the weekend but these three birds did some "peopling" by visiting the backyard at Silverleaves, Phillip Island.

Superb fairy-wren (male). I was interested to see such a brightly coloured male at this time of year (our winter). Do click on the images to follow the larger versions of these thumbnails.

The female Superb fairy-wren is often referred to as a Jenny-wren

Eastern spinebill (Adult male)

The Eastern spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris) is a handsome honeyeater of eastern Australia. This one was demonstrating its ability to hover briefly while feeding (not captured unfortunately!). The last image of the spinebill was taken through a flywire screen. The only reason it has been included is that where the sunlight reflects off the bird's eye, the flywire has created a cross-shaped flare!

The spectacle I enjoyed most was watching this Red-browed finch Neochmia temporalis.

Red-browed finch, Silverleaves, Phillip Island, Vic

One became two ....

Two became three, which soon became four ...

Here is a photo showing 10 of the 15 birds I counted.

Red-browed finch

The other red object in the shot above serves to remind that the photo was taken in the Australian Rules Football-mad state of Victoria. This reminds me of the excellent start to the weekend as Friday night was spent at the footy. My son and I travelled with interstate rellos Banjo and Richard (of Richard Waring's Birds of Australia fame) to the MCG witnessing a great game between Essendon and Carlton.

The teams warm up at the "G". Thanks Rich for a great night and a fun result!

The footy experience continued with a half time kick at the local country game on Saturday (Phillip Island)

GO BOMBERS & Bird on!

Sharing with Wild Bird Wednesday

Rainbow lorikeets nest-building

I have learnt not to ignore the sound of beak on wood.

Hearing the sound of something working away at a branch or bark had me scanning the canopy at Candlebark Reserve the other day. In my mind I'm always about to see Crested shrike-tit!

On this occasion I eventually found the source of the noise which was a pair of Rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus) taking it in turns to work on a potential nesting site.

Rainbow lorikeet, Candlebark Reserve. "Lorikeet A"

"Lorikeet A" continues to dig away at the hollow releasing small bits of chewed up wood below.

"Lorikeet A" clambers out while "B" inspects the progress

"Oh you've missed a bit"

"Lorikeet B" adjusts things while "A" preens (always fascinated to see the Rainbow lorikeet black underwing)

"Aahh, I hate getting sawdust in my eyes"

In Victoria we are well supplied with tree hollows of this size and the Rainbow lorikeets seem to do well. It is the larger hollows of older growth forests that are sought by the larger cockatoos and owls which are causing trouble for these birds.

Sharing with Wild Bird Wednesday

Bird on!

Australasian Darter & colour variation

I had some good opportunities to observe Australasian darter Anhinga novaehollandiae the other day along Melbourne's Yarra River. Coming across both male and female birds enabled appreciation of their contrasting appearance.

The pictures were taken while walking along the Main Yarra Trail starting at a Fitzsimmon's Lane car park and heading upstream to the amazing Petty's Orchard.

Australasian darter (adult male) Candlebark Reserve

Australasian darter. I suspect the female bird. It is my understanding that the immature birds look similar but are paler again and have a less distinct "neck streak".

At a few points along this stretch of the Yarra River there are some deciduous plantings lending some late Autumn colour. 

More typical vegetation, Yarra River, Templestowe

And how about that neck! No wonder they are also known as Snake-birds (even more striking in the water)!

And here's a minute of video I shot of an Australasian Darter swimming at Noosa Heads in Queensland in 2006. I remember watching this bird for several minutes and was impressed with how skilfully it moved underwater. It's efficiency of movement and spooky potential as an underwater hunter left me with an eerie feeling as well.

Unfortunately this doesn't really come across in the video! I was probably wearing polaroids.

More links:

Wikipedia's Darter page describing the 4 species of the genus Anhinga worldwide

Yarra Organics at Petty's Orchard - a cafe & shop that I have put on my "To Do" list

 Bird on!